Gary R Hepburn MIoD, AIIRSM, TechIOSH

An astute businessman, senior manager and director, experienced in the public, private and voluntary sectors. A self-starter who, having trained as an electrical engineer moved to positions as Computer Operations, Health & Safety and Quality Assurance Manager, Principal Security Adviser, Head of Security and senior management, before founding and managing his own companies.

In the private sector, he won tenders to operate Postwatch (Consumer Council for Postal Services) in the South and West, as well as operating a franchised business for fire and flood restoration work for the insurance industry, acquiring a stationary and office products company, whilst gaining and maintaining positions on the Dorset Police Authority, a senior position in the Scouting Movement, Trustee of the Weymouth Town Charities and Churchwarden of his parish church.

His 10 years on the Post Office Users National Council, as well as his more recent Postwatch experience, has brought him into direct contact with members of Parliament, senior business figures, Government ministers and senior civil servants.

He is concerned about local services such as Police, Health, Ambulance, Fire, Local Authorities and Utilities and how they are delivered to the community in Dorset. He is committed to diversity and equality and is passionate about customer service, believing that everyone should be treated properly and fairly by public services, private companies and voluntary organisations, irrespective of age, disability, status, gender, nationality, ethnic origin, religious beliefs or sexual orientation.

Gary was born in Weymouth, Dorset in 1964, is married to Denise and has a young son and daughter. His interests include: gardening, travel, local community, tropical fish, photography, website design, current affairs, politics (does not hold any political affiliations), collecting autographs and police memorabilia.

Gary is a very experienced communicator and enjoys working with media organisations and undertakes approximately 400 TV, radio and newspaper interviews per year for the organisations he is involved in. Gary has featured live on BBC 6 O'Clock News, The BBC Politics Show, ITV Lunchtime News and undertaken a vast amount of interviews for regional TV news and documentaries and network documentaries such as Dispatches. Being in front of the TV camera is one of the most enjoyable parts of what Gary does and he as adept at dealing with those difficult question and persistent interviewers.

This website constitutes a full disclosure of all present and past memberships, interests and affiliations.

Professional Memberships

Member - Institute of Directors

Member - American Society of Industrial Security

Associate Member – International Institute of Risk & Safety Managers

Technician Member – Institution of Occupational Safety & Health

Group Managing Director and Company Chairman – Sirius Business Services Ltd

Managing Director and Company Chairman – Sirius Property Services Ltd (t/a ChemDry Westcountry), wholly owned subsidiary of Sirius Business Services Ltd

Director - Stag Office Products Ltd, wholly owned subsidiary of Sirius Business Services Ltd

Managing Director - KnickersRus Ltd

External Relations Manager - The Rural Shops Alliance

Non Executive Director - NHS Dorset (Dorset Primary Care Trust)

Vice-Chair - Dorset Community Health Services

Governor - Dorset Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

Police Authority

Independent Member – Dorset Police Authority

Chairman, Dorset Police Authority Community Engagement and Communications Committee

Member, Dorset Police Authority Professional Standards and Diversity Committee

Board member Dorset Police Contact Management Board

Scouting

Assistant District Commissioner (Communications) – Weymouth & Portland District Scouts

Chairman, Appointments Committee – Weymouth & Portland District Scouts

Chairman, Weymouth South Scout Group

Member Weymouth & Portland Scouts District Executive Committee

Charities and Voluntary Work etc.

Community First Responder South West Ambulance Service NHS Trust

Trustee, Weymouth Town Charities (Sir Samuel Mico's Charities & Sir Henry Edwards' Charities)

Churchwarden, All Saints Church, Wyke Regis, Weymouth

Secretary - South Dorset Branch of the Tall Ships Youth Trust

Regional Manger (South & West), Postwatch, the independent postal watchdog

UK Head of Security, Johnson Controls Inc

Director, Johnson Controls Pension Trustees Ltd

Independent Member, Dorset Police Authority Standards Committee

Lead Member for Dorset Police Authority on Health & Safety, IT & IS and Freedom of Information

Member, Association of Police Authorities Science and Technology Policy Group

Member, Association of Police Authorities Information Management Liaison Network

Board member Dorset Police Information Systems (IS) Executive Board

Board member Dorset Police Mobile Data Programme Board

Board member Dorset Police People Focus Board

Board member, Post Office Users National Council (ministerial appointment)

Chairman, Post Office Users National Council Audit Committee

Principal Security Advisor, Procord Ltd

Quality, Safety and Security Manager, AEA Facilities Services Division

Computer Systems and Quality Assurance Manager, UKAEA Winfrith

Computer Operations Manager, UKAEA Winfrith

Regional Chairman, South West Telecommunications Advisory Committee’s

Secretary, Central & South Dorset Telecom Advisory Committee

Secretary, Central & South Dorset Post Office Advisory Committee

Member, All Saints Church, Wyke Regis, Tower Appeal Fund

Treasurer, All Saints Church, Wyke Regis, Organ Appeal Committee

Assistant Scout Leader, Weymouth South Scouts

Assistant District Commissioner (Activities) Weymouth & Portland District Scouts

Chorister, All Saints Church, Wyke Regis

Business finance and planning

Child protection

Complaints and complaints handling

Consumer affairs

Contingency planning and disaster recovery

Customer service

Data protection and freedom of Information

Diversity and equal opportunities

First Aid (advanced level), including registered assessor

Health & Safety (holds NEBOSH certificate, distinction)

Human resources

Information systems & technology (IS & IT)

Marketing

Media spokesperson

Negotiation, arbitration and mediation

Pensions and pension fund management

Performance management and monitoring

Private finance initiatives (PFI)

Public & media relations

Presentations, public speaking and chairing public meetings

Project management

Quality assurance (qualified auditor)

Recruitment and interviewing

Regulation

Risk management

Security

Trainer in the fields of Health & Safety, Security, Risk Management, Child Protection, First Aid, Media Relations and Consumer Services

Vetting and criminal record bureau (CRB) checks