Committee Members

After working in the hospitality industry for 15 years I wanted to move into a career which would work better around my family so I decided to look into becoming an ADI . My Grandfather was a driving instructor so I guess you could say I joined the family business. I have a keen interest in future technologies which led to me become the first driving instructor in Scotland to teach in an electric vehicle. I was very lucky to do my training with an Instructor within ELDIA which led me to join while still a PDI. Over the years I have held the position of Social Secretary, Vice Chairman and now going into my third year as Chairman.  My aim as Chairman is to pass accurate industry information, training possibilities & social networking to our members.

After a long career with Lloyds Banking Group In IT indeveloper,  systems analysis and finally Project Management roles, I decided at the suggestion of  my daughter ,who worked with BSM at the time,  to embark on a new career as a driving instructor in 2010. 

My previous involvement as an IT training co-ordinator inwriting and delivering technical courses helped me transfer these skills to the learning environment in the car. I trained and worked for BSM for 10 years before deciding to become an independent instructor.

I have experienced other driving work with the NHS assessing and coaching new drivers until recently and have been a member of ELDIA for some years now.  I have found the association invaluable in keeping abreast of changes and development in the Driver Training industry and hope to play my part in furthering the aims of the association

From an early age I did always want to teach, however the subjects in schools never gave me the motivation. I always loved driving and in my late 30’s, I decided to make a career change. I put the two topics together and on paper this looked good to me. I did the training and immediately felt the drive to teach. I started training as an Approved Driving Instructor in 2001 and never looked back, (except for my blind spots).

I joined the Association quite far on in my career, as I felt isolated as an Instructor. I assumed we were all competition to each other, but once I joined, I found very good friends and colleagues, and although we work for different companies or as independents, we work as a team helping each other where we can. There is access to training courses when available, and I call any one of my colleagues and ask for advice. I wished I had joined sooner. The help is incomparable.

I came into driver training in 1987 having worked for 7 years as an Instrumentation and Control Engineer for an oil company. I studied for a BSc at London Westminster University then at Aston University in Birmingham for an MSc.  I run Able School of Motoring in Leith Walk.  I am the only Founding Member of the Edinburgh & Lothian Driving Instructors Association still active as a working ADI.  This Association was created to get the local driving instructors to help each other and improve the standard by running some training courses locally. It has always worked very hard for the interests of the ADI’s and has helped to break the barrier between driving instructors and driving examiners. The association is run voluntarily by ADI’s for ADI’s.

I became a Driving Instructor in 2001 after a career in the army. In 2006 I completed the Diploma in Driving Instruction which was awarded by Middlesex University. After a few years a became aware of and joined the association and was impressed by the friendliness of the members. The opportunities & events for training helped me develop further, quite often with training being subsidised by the association. 

Fun experiences including high speed driving with the Road Policing training unit at Tulleallen have also been possible with the association.

Over the years I have made very good firm friends with a lot of members, whom I know I can talk to professionally or personally if needed.

During my membership I have been Vice Chairman for two years & Chairman for four  &  currently  CPD  Coordinator.

I wholeheartedly recommend membership of Edinburgh & Lothian DIA.