Gwen Patterson

Gwen graduated from Huddersfield University in 1987 with a Food Science And Nutrition Degree and since then has achieved a Certificate and Diploma In Food Hygiene, and a postgraduate Diploma In Human Resource Management.

For 5 years Gwen held overall responsibility for the running of the Wholesale and Retail Training Council (WRTC) group of companies, which included offices in Belfast, Dublin, and the Business Measurement Company Spotcheck.

Gwen Patterson represented Northern Ireland retailers on the Skillsmart board in London from 2003 - 2004. She has sixteen years commercial experience, which includes six years retail area management in London and Northern Ireland, five years providing consultancy and business support to the SME sector and five years managing operations across Ireland.

Gwen is an IIP Facilitator, Welcome Host Regional Trainer, Manual Handling Assessor and food hygiene specialist. She sat on the board of the Northern Ireland Training Councils Association (NITCA). She owns and operates one of the most successful Centra stores in Ireland and is a director of ETE a locally based training and development company. She is renowned for the energy and enthusiasm applied to he chosen subjects.

Previous, relevant commissions include. Managing Leonardo and Peace II funded projects. Gwen is jointly responsible for writing operations manuals for one of Northern Irelands largest employers. She is also currently jointly responsible for mentoring the management team in for one of the UK's largest landowners. She is currently responsible for delivering management training to this organisation. She has been responsible for managing the production of hundreds of business development plans for a divers range of businesses from a diverse range of industries and backgrounds. These are but a few selected examples.