Statement By David Boakes Head Of Computing St George's Healthcare NHS Trust Given To The Employment Tribunal
Statement from David Ivan Boakes on Ian Perkin
Ian Perkin recruited me to the post of Head of Computing at St George’s NHS Trust in April 2001. My post reports directly to Ian Perkin, who is the Director of Finance, Procurement and IM&T, Ian being an Executive Director on the Trust Board. Prior to joining the Trust I was employed by SCIREX as IT Director UK and Europe for 3 months, and before that had spent just under 10 years with Smithkline Beecham Pharmaceuticals, Research and Development. Prior to me starting at the Trust Ian had interviewed members of the Computing department to understand what the issues were technological staffing etc, I assume to help him build a picture in his mind of what he was looking for in the role. When I joined he knew the key issues and challenges for the department, and had already started to work on the main one, which was funding for a new network. Ian worked with the Special Trustee’s over several months and finally secured funding for the new network of £ 750,00 sterling. This demonstrated to me his commitment to move the Trust forward, and his understanding of the necessity, and potential consequences of not replacing the network. Without the funding for the new network I believe the Trust would not have been able to move forward with IMT01, the Intranet and PACS.
Ian has been very supportive, not just in financial terms, but by being open to new ideas, pro-active in change and driving it where possible. This has included outsourcing of PC deployment, the Intranet and PC leasing. I believe Ian is determined to make an impact at St George’s, I believe this is out of professional and personal pride and the fact that he is helping the local community in which he belongs. Ian’s professionalism is also reflected in the strong and experienced management team he has developed to bring industry best practice, and recognition, to the Trust.
While working for Ian I have found him to be very open, direct, honest, friendly, decent and principled. He has a strong sense of right and wrong, and values his integrity, which he puts above all else. Ian will not compromise on anything that goes against his principles. Ian is not working to any hidden agenda, and in brief, “what you see is what you get”. I enjoy working at St George’s and could not have realistically asked for any more from Ian during the 17 months I have been here.