Jim has extensive experience in regulation as a police officer with the RAF and subsequently Devon & Cornwall constabulary. His local authority licensing practice has been undertaken in three demanding geographical locations, latterly as operations manager at Taunton Deane borough council, overseeing the licensing service and other regulatory services including food safety, and health and safety at work.

At Taunton, Jim was a high profile member of the local crime and disorder strategy groups, and was responsible for the introduction of a Pubwatch scheme similar to Best Bar None several years ago which concentrated on the use of non-glass drinking vessels and responsible drinks promotions.

His appointment - approved by the Charity Commission - followed a recruitment exercise last spring during which five other candidates were interviewed by a panel of Board members.

TRAINING AND EVENTS
Jim has been responsible for organising national events of the Institute for a number of years and has chaired the Board’s Events sub-committee since its formation. Jim has been heavily involved in establishing the national training event which has grown to the extent that there is now demand for more than one course annually.

Jim was instrumental in changing the focus of the annual general meeting, which is now a recognised national training day and AGM attracting in the region of a hundred delegates. He took the lead as Events committee chair in organising the Institute’s successful 2007 conference in Bristol, attended by over two hundred residential delegates in attendance throughout the three days, including a dedicated slot aimed for councillors.

PUBLICATIONS
Jim is co-author of My Guide to Licensing written for the licensed trade about the Licensing Act 2003.

AIMS
Jim will be meeting the regional elected officers in order to assess the training and developments needs for members across the eleven regions.

Jim will take on the Institute’s aims of developing a suite of training qualifications covering the many areas of licensing and introducing national qualifications in addition to existing qualifications.

Jim will continue to take the lead in the organisation of courses and seminars for the Institute and will aim to ensure that training is tailored to the needs of licensing practitioners across the country.

Jim said: ‘After working part-time in my capacity as chair of the Events committee and working full-time for Taunton Deane I realised that the Institute needed to grow and expand its role in developing relevant training and qualifications for licensing professionals. However this was not something that could achieved on a part time voluntary basis.

‘Having now been appointed, I aim to expand the level of training, events and qualifications available .I am looking forward to bridging the gap between the current nationally recognised qualifications that exist for licensing professionals. I also hope and expect to be able to deliver training and events in subjects we have not previously had the capacity to deliver.

‘The profile of licensing professionals has increased tremendously over the last few years and the Institute must continue to grow and expand in order to provide continued and increased support to its members.’

Institute chairman Philip Kolvin said: ‘I am delighted that Jim is joining us as our Training and Qualifications officer, having effectively taken the lead on our events for some time on a voluntary basis. As the pre-eminent professional body for licensing practitioners, the Institute is committed to the development of nationally accredited professional qualifications, and the appointment of a dedicated officer is crucial to enable this to progress.'

Jim can be contacted at jim@instituteoflicensing.org.