I’m a UK-based veteran of the learning, skills and human capital industries, with experience at every level. I’ve worked in training delivery, product development, operations, and sales and marketing, and had board level positions. I’ve also taken my own internet-based training business from concept to trade sale. I live and work mostly in the UK, but have spent time in the US and in Turkey.
My various roles include:
- chair of the Learning and Skills Group (about, blog, Learning Technologies Conference)
- non-executive director at InfoBasis Ltd
- non-executive director at the Institute of IT Training
- facilitate the Learning Directors’ Network
- sit on the SFIA Foundation Council
I’m focused on skills development and technology, and in particular on making sure that people and businesses have the skills they need. I believe this is best supported by using technology effectively - that is, being realistic and knowing its limitations, rather than being overawed with its undoubted potential.
While in the past I’ve been directly involved in training, I am now an advocate for skills and the appropriate use of technology in supporting skills development. As part of this, I write for:
- IT Training Magazine (UK)
- First Train Magazine (Ireland)
- Training Zone - international online community for trainers
In January 2007, I was presented with the Colin Corder for an ’outstanding contribution to IT training’.
Personal Fact File
Likes: books, time with the family, wine, language, theatre, goal keeping for the Belmont Academicals (but none of it too seriously)
Dislikes: xenophobia, grocers’ apostrophes, snobs and yobs
Little known fact: once played the bagpipes on Turkish TV (okay, I mimed)
Desert Island discs: (what’s this?) The Sunken Cathedral, Another Girl Another Planet, Marriage of Figaro, Lark Ascending, I Like to be in America, Saturday Night Fish Fry, Hurricane (Dylan), Sweet Soul Music
PS - Everyone calls me Don, so why do I go for the full ‘Donald H Taylor’ in print? Simple: to differentiate myself from others with the same name. I was once asked by a large, angry man, at an industry event if I was ‘that bloody Don Taylor from X Limited?’ (naming a large, well known company). I was able to reassure my interrogator that I wasn’t. Other Don Taylors that I am not include:
Don Taylor, English writer, director and producer on radio, stage and screen. Now sadly deceased. More…
Don Taylor, American film actor and director, also now deceased. More…
Actually, there’s loads, from cricketers from aviators. Check the Wikipedia entry.
So it turns out I have quite a common name. Of course going for the full Donald H Taylor hasn’t completely solved the problem. Step forward Donald H Taylor, Assistant Professor of Public Policy Studies at Duke University, and anti-smoking sage. Still, he seems like a decent enough guy doing a good job, so I’m happy to share my name with him.
To contact me, mail: donald [at] donaldhtaylor [dot] co [dot] uk
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