Old Uffingtonians Association (1994)

   Willesden County Grammar School                         Ex-Pupils 1924-1967                    




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     Michael Miles (1958-65)

Years ago at the Abbey National I was lucky enough to experience many different aspects of business life, working in the field network, in sales, in training and even IT liaison set me in good stead for more recent times.  I was also despatched on a lengthy trip to Australia to study how banks and building societies had merged to become one and the same thing.  My subsequent report recommended that the Abbey followed suit.  The rest as they say is history.

My own inter-personal skills training company succeeded, but only briefly. Its downfall was the recession when companies so often misguidedly cut training as one of the first costs to be saved.  Never mind, I learned a little more.

In 1990 a headhunter persuaded me to join a software house as Customer Service Director where I spent 5 years developing their human interface with the outside world.  I introduced waves of qualified people to manage and run the help desk, the training, the after sales support etc., and we did so well that Sage bought us out and I was made redundant.  I learned even more.

So in 1996 I set up an employment agency business specialising in temporary labour for the driving industry.  We are doing very well with 17 shops from Bury St Edmunds to Brighton.  So much for a quiet life – but I am still learning!

Valerie & I celebrated 30 years of marriage last year and our kids have all finished university now.  Luckily they chose some lovely cities – Canterbury, Cambridge & Bath – so we visited frequently.  Kate – our eldest at 28 – is getting married this October.  She works for Scottish & Newcastle as the Personnel & Training Manager for the Southern Division.  Ian, who is 26, teaches geography at an Inner London Secondary school and is also involved with the sporting activities of the community.  Jenny is newly qualified at 23 and is just starting out on her career as a Recruitment Officer with Britannic Money.  She also sings in a band.

Valerie & I enjoy travelling and spend as much time as business permits in our cottage in Normandy.  As you may imagine, I am still very involved with music in just about every aspect.  However my sporting activities have now reduced to watching and this inactivity has taken its inevitable toll.  I also enjoy gardening, the English language and most of all being with my friends and family.