Profile: Dr David J Skyrme
David Skyrme is a mostly-retired management consultant specializing in information and knowledge management. David's hybrid career embraced analysis, consulting, writing, research and education / training. His innovation skills have resulted in the creation of new products and services, new methods, and new initiatives.
Early Career
David completed a first class honours degree in physics and doctorate in nuclear physics at Oxford University (1961-7). His first few years in industry were as a systems analyst and computer programmer specializing in computer graphics and CAD (Computer Aided Design) working for ITT, ICL and Marconi Elliott Computer Systems.
Digital Equipment Corporation (1971-1993)
David started his 22-year career with DEC as a sales engineer, selling PDP-8s, DECsystem-10s, PDP-11s, and PDP-15s to scientific laboratories and education establishments. During a 3-year spell at DEC HQ in Massachussets, he was a graphics product manager, introducing new products. He returned to the UK in 1979 to lead the launch of the VAX 11/780.
Subsequently he held a number of senior marketing and management roles. His accomplishments included turning around an unprofitable product line, the creation of Digital's UK Market Intelligence group, and the design and deployment of a robust strategic planning system. He was co-creator of People for the '90s, a strategic initiative that culminated in DEC's recognised leadership in virtual working practices.
David Skyrme Associates (1993- )
After leaving Digital, David set up his own management systems consultancy. In association with it's network partners, it provided consultancy and training in the creation of successful knowledge-based strategies.
Throughout his career David has published and presented throughout the world on a wide range of strategic management issues, including business strategy, the impact of information technology, innovation, hybrid managers, virtual organizations and teleworking.
However, he is best known for his contribution to the development of the field of knowledge management. In 1997, he coauthored Creating the Knowledge-based Business described by practitioners as "required reading" and "the bible of knowledge management". This was followed by two books, including the popular Knowledge Networking: Creating the Collaborative Enterprise published by Butterworth-Heinemann, and later by other reports.
Academic Affiliations
David has had several academic connections during his career. His work has included running MBA and short-course workshops, course development, external examiner and assessor, supervising MBA projects, tutoring and mentoring (The Open University, Reading University, Henley Management College and others). He is a senior research fellow of the Institute of Innovation, Creativity and Capital at the University of Austin, Texas. From 1995-99 he was a member of the ESRC Research Grants Board, representing users of social and business research.
Private Life and Interests
David lives with his wife in the village of Highclere in North Hampshire, England (approximately 55 miles/85km west of London). They have three grown-up daughters, pursuing careers in landscape architecture, e-marketing and marine science (in Hawaii).
Now mostly retired David spends most of his time doing voluntary work and pursuing his interests. His volunteering includes being the webmaster for CPRE Hampshire ("standing up for Hampshire's countryside"), and a speaker and advisor for Careers Springboard West Berkshire (providing job-seeking and careers support for out-of-work managers and professionals).
His interests and hobbies include swimming, photography, astronomy, chess, travel and rambling, especially in the Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. He is currently actively researching his family history which will generate significant new material for the Skyrme family website.
Contact Details
David Skyrme
Email: david@skyrme.com
Tel: +44 (0) 1635 25 35 45.
LinkedIn: http://uk.linkedin.com/in/davidskyrme
Last updated: 1 June 2011
