Meet our People - Alan Taws

Alan Taws is Head of Management Information Systems for CSV Training and Enterprise. He's been with CSV since 1995. He says...

"I’d really not done anything of note before I joined CSV. I wanted to be a freelance computer games programmer/artist but after spending many years getting nowhere and doing quite a few side jobs from selling fitted kitchens to painting and decorating, I eventually stumbled upon CSV through a government training programme.

After finishing my training programme at CSV I was still unemployed. As I had a lot of IT skills going unused I was happy to stay on at CSV as a volunteer providing IT support and as the staff there treated me as an equal and gave me lots of support I really couldn’t think of anything better to do with my time. It didn’t take too long for my  enthusiasm to get noticed and I was offered a short term contract which provided a great learning experience.

I’m now Head of Management Information Systems for CSV’s Training and Enterprise Division.  My role has evolved over the years and I’ve gained a huge amount of experience going from basic IT support right through to advising at a strategic level.

The work I do is a real mix and a real challenge. A lot of the time my core duties of data management, development and research have to fit in around providing support to our staff and performance analysis for our managers. It’s a tricky balance.  At CSV we have our own in-house developed management information solution. I think this gives us a real advantage and it’s my job to ensure that it all works.

There is always a challenge and there are always rewards. The challenge is  to continually develop our data systems to the point where even the technophobes amongst us can appreciate the benefits. The rewards come from several directions. It’s always pleasing from a technical perspective to take something complex and make it look simple but the bigger reward is in knowing that I provide a service that actually makes life easier for those who are involved in managing the demands of delivery, funders and inspectorate.

CSV is focused on engaging communities through volunteering and I myself have benefitted massively from that ethos. I also think that education is equally powerful in enabling people to take control of their lives and I only have to look at my own career as a measure of the difference CSV can make."