The Society of IT Management (Socitm) has awarded this year’s Graham Williamson Challenge – a learning through travel award – to Clare Forbes,  an IT consultant at Hampshire County Council.

Clare was presented with her Award by Socitm President Peter Ryder at the Society’s annual conference, held in Harrogate 1-3 October. She was chosen from a significant number of applicants for the prize, which was set up in memory of the former Head of IT at Argyll and Bute Council, Graham Williamson, who died in an accident in 2000. Graham was passionate about his work and particularly devoted to mentoring young people starting out in IT.

As the third ever recipient of the travel and accommodation grant that goes with the award, Clare is planning a trip to California to research e-government programmes being pursued at state and local level. Following in the footsteps of the Socitm study tour which visited the state in 2004, she plans to see how approaches to e-government have developed in the last two years, how online services are maturing, and how approaches to IT project managment compare with those used in the UK.

Clare, who has a Masters degree in Medieval Studies, joined Hampshire County Council five years ago as a graduate, and helped to train County staff to use Hantsnet, the system that provides applications, communication, information and training at their desktops.  She then moved into IT project management and has since become a qualified Prince 2 practitioner.
 
Clare is delighted that her application for the award was successful.  ‘I’m really looking forward to representing Socitm and Hampshire County Council on my trip. This is an opportunity to broaden my outlook with international experience that I wouldn’t normally get as part of my job and I am very grateful to my employer for their support in making the application.’

Jos Creese, who is Head of IT at Hampshire County Council has no doubt that Clare will make the very best use of the opportunty: ‘Clare’s proposal sets out very clearly what she is hoping to learn from her research visit. I know the support from Socitm will ensure she gets a huge amount from it.’

Peter Ryder, President of Socitm added: ‘This Award allows something of Graham Williamson’s passion and commitment to the next generation of IT managers live on, and we know that Graham would have admired Clare’s initiative and enthusiasm. We wish her the best of luck and look forward to hearing about her experiences.’

Socitm will be using its international contacts, including those with its US equivalent organisation GMIS, to support Clare in identifying local authorities in California to host her visit. She will be mentored throughout her involvement in the scheme by a senior member of Socitm.

Following her return to the UK, Clare will be invited to make a series of presentations to Socitm audiences about her travels and what she has learned. Last year’s GWC winner, David Hamilton of Fenland Council, provided delegates at the Socitm Annual conference with a lively account of his experiences in Australia. 

You can view a photo of Clare receiving her prize from Socitm President Peter Ryder on the Socitm website.

Notes for editors:

The GWC was created in 2004 to enable a young person starting out in ICT to undertake a short work placement in a local authority abroad, in order to broaden their understanding and knowledge of ICT in a wider public sector context.  The award provides a budget of up to £5000 to cover travel, accommodation, and associated costs, with the expectation that the successful candidate is granted one month's paid leave of absence from work to fulfill the placement. Host authorities are identified through the links Socitm has with similar professional associations all over the world.