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Welcome to the speaker programme, where you can view the details of all of the forthcoming and past presentations which are available.
01st October 2020
16:00
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Speaker : Stephen Carver – Senior Lecturer consultant and speaker Cranfield University School of Management |
Common Sense isn’t that common any more
EVA Broadcast No 1 Stephen Carver Poem by Paul Lyalls EVA Poet in Residence
to enable the economy to be re-fronted.
We were only 24 hours from Durham
while the shit in London was almost overflowing.
But the Government is ongoing,
unlike the rest of the crew, especially those who are travelling on HS2!
which seems stuck, like shite to your shoe.
But shit just like rust doesn’t quit,
there’s always more of it.
Somewhere below the city it’s underneath
it’s an ever expanding ‘Grease’ Yes,
turd is the word,
It’s a manifest-hole
symbolic of the ‘leadershite’.
After all of this,
maybe it’d be better if the next asteroid didn’t miss.
08th October 2020
16:00
Topic : CREATIVITY IN CRISIS and why we need to master this art
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Speaker : Sophie Sabbage – Mindset Alchemist Psychologist and Sunday Times best-selling author |
Sophie Sabbage
Sophie is a Sunday Times best-selling author of two life-transforming books. Her academic background is in psychology, English Literature and organisational change. She has a reputation for saying what needs saying to shift what needs shifting for her clients to thrive.
Sunday Times author of three life-transforming books.
Psychologist and master practitioner of Lifework who has equipped thousands of people to find grace in the grit of life.
Leader of an award-winning business consultancy for twenty years, specializing in culture change and transformative leadership for diverse blue-chip organisations.
An outstanding speaker with a global following, corporate clients and a reputation for ensuring her audiences leave wiser and braver than when they walked in.
A renowned stage four cancer thriver who knows more than most about how to be creative in a crisis and how to find emotional freedom in the midst of the most constraining circumstances.
Numerous media appearances on TV, radio and major newspapers as an author, speaker transformer and patient activist.
Gifted at reading people and cultures, seeing unconscious forces at work and identifying a few things that can change many things. Soulful, feisty and highly creative, Sophie remains a mere mortal who has been to the north and south poles of her resilience to stay alive
Difficult Patient
EVA Broadcast No 2 Sophie Sabbage Poem by Paul Lyalls EVA Poet in Residence
If you Google the word ‘motivation’ and scroll,
You are probably lacking the movable or fixed posts of your own goal-
After all the desire to create
Is the deepest yearning of the human soul.
Are you ready for this,
Pucker up for that creative kiss.
Intensity has become the new normal
Yes we are survivors, but there’s more to being mortal.
Crisis is the birth place of creativity
But it shouldn’t be a constant into infinity.
Obli-dee Obli-daa Obligation – life goes on
Even in the last chance Sal-on-
You can strive for desire
But burn out is part of every fire.
Being who we are, instead of being who we are not.
Is always the best offer in societies shop.
As we crisis into another self worth proving reaction
Probably just like Jagger you won’t get no satisfaction.
Creativity is a world of possibility so wake up, smell the crisis.
Each one is a chance for you to change your devices.
Creativity is a world of possibility
That will expand your soul’s elasticity,
Mohannad Elmahdy Hassan
I’m a results oriented Executive with more than twenty years experience in startup and early stage as well as turnaround of companies. I specialize in exploring and capturing new markets and new customers, by finding the unique value and helping companies build and enhance their business based on this. I help the companies focus and build great process and hire great teams.
15th October 2020
16:00
Topic : The Changing Railway – Providing Credible Control?
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Speaker : Alastair Forbes – Head of Programme Controls, Network Rail |
The Phat Controller
EVA Broadcast No 3 Alastair Forbes Poem by Paul Lyalls EVA Poet in Residence
Needed a planner, with a metaphorical spanner.
Who can also take one out of the works!
And can ensure, the network is a net that works.
Because 30,000 miles of track
Is a lot of clickety-clack!
Not overlooking ongoing outputs and outcomes
That must flow like water under 20,000 bridges-
We’re not just talking Jeff…
We’re talking processed and fully meshed.
Within a team that are all aboard
On an evolutionary path into machined learning,
To keep the wheels not just on but also turning.
Part prediction part knowledge driven
Which interprets as, getting from Waterloo to Wigan.
Especially in these times,
When the world heads deeper into a dark night
Looking for the proverbial at the end of… light.
But the Network has got untold tunnels
And each one as Michael Portillo commends
Has a well lit opening at both ends!
22nd October 2020
16:00
Topic : Partner discuss Relationships
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Speaker : Dr Christine Unterhiztenberger – Associate Professor in Project Management at University of Leeds |
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Speaker : Dr Roger Joby – Pharmaceuticals Consultant and Professional |
Dr Christine Unterhitzenberger
Dr Christine Unterhitzenberger is an Associate Professor of Project Management at the University of Leeds and has recently gained the status of Chartered Project Professional. Her research is focused on relational and psycho-social aspects in projects. She is particularly interested in how a better understanding and an increased awareness of psycho-social relationships can enhance the project performance. Her work has received external funding and has been published in leading peer-reviewed journals. Prior to her academic career she has worked for almost ten years as a project manager in the construction industry. She was responsible for the project management of various large scale construction projects with a total value of more than £ 500 million. Currently, she is Chair of the APM Research Advisory Group and a Department Editor for the Project Management Journal.
The Dodgy but nice relationship between contractors & Clients
(aka The language of Earned Value Love)
EVA Broadcast No 4 Christine Unterhitzenberger & Roger Joby Poem by Paul Lyalls EVA Poet in Residence
On the one hand They’re a dream
constantly talking, effortlessly engaging, looking the part
On the other, they’re a nightmare,
Micro managing on a trip to hell in a wee hand cart.
Earned value gives the warning signings
Principal is the client – It’s like a first date-
That wants to move on to love and marriage!
one part is in a better position, but one has baggage!
The client has the information and is all loving and giving
The contractor is swept off its feet
But then honeymoon is over and
The update flowers are from the garage.
Level of information goes from gourmet to takeaway
Opportunistic behavior, that looks cosmopolitan but’s really suburbia
Over budget, overtime, over paid and over here!
Contract-understanding-resources-education-delegation
Time to be cured & clear.
With all these in place you can say ‘yes dear’
As Barbara Streisand sang
You don’t bring me update flowers any more
Following the 5 points will bring back the l’amour
Well enough is enough, if you want to see the project in the buff
Cross case analysis is very applicable and once again it will make both parties lickable.
It’s all about a frame work frame of mind
And in the right critical researched measure you have to be cruel to be kind.
For both contractor and client to truly understand each other
And move on from first date to lover
Then they’ve got to understand the goals and live and let live
And if you ultimately cant love the one you want
Then love the one you’re with.
Dr Roger Joby
Roger Joby is a Visiting Research Fellow at Liverpool Business School, Liverpool John Moores University and an international project management consultant and educator with over 40 years’ experience, principally for Clinical Research Organizations. Recipient of the Pharmaceutical Contract Management Group (PCMG) Lifetime Fellowship Award 2019
05th November 2020
16:00
Topic : Data Analytics
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Speaker : Martin Paver – Data Analytics Supremo |
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Speaker : Steve Wake |
Mohannad Hassan
Many organisations nowadays perceive project controls as an overhead and non-value add – due to wrong organisation culture, weak demonstration of its value/benefits, complied with over complicated methodologies/systems.
I will share insight on how the industry can press the “reset button” to address these challenges and provide a glimpse into the future of project controls.
Steve Wake
Many organisations nowadays perceive project controls as an overhead and non-value add – due to wrong organisation culture, weak demonstration of its value/benefits, complied with over complicated methodologies/systems.
I will share insight on how the industry can press the “reset button” to address these challenges and provide a glimpse into the future of project controls.
DATA ANALYTICS (aka Cool tech!)EVA Broadcast No 5 Martin Paver
Poem by Paul Lyalls EVA Poet in Residence
Lets move the human up the value scale
Project Data Analytics is the way to prevail
Like John the Baptist
Let loose in Atlantis.
Project Data Analyics is the task force
That wins the race like a dark horse
Talking shady animals what about the Black swan
Well Data Analytics doesn’t drop the baton
The world is changing – the challenges are rearranging
Jobs are going to evolve – yesterdays solutions have stalled
new unpredictable’s, like covid will be hard to solve
Everything might be delayed – driving up productivity is the stage
Real time reporting raw data
Read now not later
Take Every single risk ever, the problems we all grapple with
Multiple solutions to put through the data sieve.
Defining the risk, stick or twist
Enter the Hackathon – loosley applied
Technical ninja’s at the top end
Project managers below
Creating solutions off the back of it. That revamp the show
Cleaning up the messy data,
Giving your order to a get things done waiter
What data? what lens to look through?
Applying a vision that magnifies what you need to do.
Let’s start to work together,
To open up the data
REMEMBER, remember the Fifth of November,
Data trustworthiness , reason and good to trot
12th November 2020
16:00
Topic : Resilient, Relaxed, Resourceful, Ready v0.2
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Speaker : Lysa Morrison – NLP and Emotional Intelligence |
EEEMMMoootttiiiooonnnaaalll intelligence – Lysa Morrison
Poem by Paul Lyalls – EVA25 Poet In Residence
The budgets are cutting, the businesses are shutting,
The Governments three amigos updates are off-putting!
How do we stay Resilient, Relaxed, Resourceful & Ready
In an economy that’s falling like confetti!
Rapidly re-jigging, redefining how we make a living.
Strategic human resources management
Doesn’t sound it, but it’s actually all dancing and singing.
Getting the best out of the people in who you invest.
Because we are Living in a VUCA World
Volatile uncertain complex ambiguous
With everyone worried about being thrown under the bus.
Fast change, slow change, the entire scenario rearranged
Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threat
Keeping cool, no sweat.
Stressed employees need to be happy employees
Working from home, opening up the talent pool
Bringing the crown to the jewel.
Being creative, maintaining the camaraderie
Your employees are the numbers that win the lottery.
Part of a shared purpose not a circus
Trusted, opportunity lead, give them some cred.
Allowing the individuals to let loose their talent
Fantastic teamwork, recognition make it apparent
So what if there’s no more office
Line management are the bridge
Having to be ever-ready like the light that always goes on in the fridge
Higher emotional intelligence Can be built into the new norm,
We don’t want sheep, we want Sean!
Lysa Morrison
Currently the joint CEO of a new disruptive strategic HR management company, The Shiny Happy People, Lysa combines her wealth of commercial experience, along with her academic background to help organisations to bring the best out of their people and their businesses.
Lysa has been delivering workshops, executive coaching, group facilitation, consultancy and keynote talks to a diverse range of organisations and industries across the UK and Europe for the last 15 years. Lysa holistically brings together key areas of focus such as business strategy, transformation and change management, culture, emotional intelligence, HR – strategic talent management and employee engagement, design thinking, ’soft skills’ and personal development to solve complex problems and improve the performance of organisations.
Lysa completed her Executive MBA at Newcastle University Business School where she then became an Associate Senior Lecturer specialising in managing change, leadership, business strategy and professional development. Lysa has recently completed a Harvard Business School Online qualification on Entrepreneurship and is an accredited NLP Master Practitioner and Trainer, an ILM accredited Professional Coach, and a proud TedX speaker.
19th November 2020
16:00
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Speaker : Jonathan Crone
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Speaker : Mohammad Hassan |
The Project control Paradox – Jonathan Crone & Mo Hassan
Poem by Paul Lyalls – EVA25 Poet In Residence
To Project and Serve
Overhead, underhead value added free?
Project controls are so much more you see!
But at what cost, a fraction of everything that can be lost.
Risk reduction, needs no introduction,
A lack of leadership vision can easily become a messiah never risen.
Project control equals the embers that can be stamped out
Avoiding the forest fire we can all do without.
Set up is all – Lift off, or stall,
We have to become a rocket scientist
On time, above quality, reducing the risk,
Like the 7 dwarfes more Hi’s than ho’s, correcting as we go.
Using the disciplines that already exist
Stick or twist what’s on your wish list.
Integrating the skills that have always been there.
Passing on new thinking, knowledge and experience to share.
Creating the intended not coincidence.
Remember, new broom sweep good
But old broom know all the corners
And it never rains in California.
The sun will come out tomorrow, but what if it doesn’t
A culture of transparency should be a constant current.
Even with Bells and whistles
Are you really pulling up thistles.
It’s more than admin
It’s putting Bob Marley & the Whalers together & now we’re jammim’
We’ve lost sight of Pandora’s data box & what it was meant to encase
In short we can easily be Lost in Space
Projects are from Mars , businesses are from Venus,
A shared vison of heaven will redeem us
At the end of the day it needs to be delivered on planet Earth
And all we need is the baby not a virgin Birth.
Martin Paver
Martin Paver, Data Scientist, Registered Project Professional, Chartered Engineer, BEng, MBA, MAPM, MIMechE, is CEO of Projecting Success Ltd. and Founder of the London Project Data Analytics meetup. Martin is a Registered Project Professional with the APM and a Chartered Engineer with the IMechE. He is the CEO/Founder of a P3M and data science consultancy called Projecting Success who help project organisations to connect and understand their data for a more certain, evidence-driven project delivery by analysing historical and real-time data to discover insights and make recommendations with improved confidence in outcomes. He has 30 years of delivery experience spanning senior strategic roles across government and the private sector, led projects of up to $1bn, both client and supply side and he also led a PMO for a $multi-billion portfolio of ICT projects. In late 2017 Martin established the London Project Data Analytics Meetup, the UK’s largest community that combines the cutting edges of data science and project management ranging from hosting talks, delivering hackathons through to influencing future thinking on project data science. He is on a mission to leveragae the benefits of advanced data science for the benefit of the project management profession, ensuring that we shape the direction of the industry and prepare us for a new future.
26th November 2020
16:00
Topic : Diversity in projects – what does it really mean and do we really need to bother?
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Speaker : Ruchi Singh – Strategy and transformation disrupters |
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Speaker : Carol Deveney – Strategy and transformation disrupters |
Ruchi Singh
Ruchi Singh is Director of Kaleidoscope Transformation; a boutique consultancy specialising in supporting and leading projects designed transform public services and influence policy to improve outcomes for communities. She has been advised and delivered radical transformation strategies for close to 25 years for clients as diverse as MoJ, MoD, HMT, HS2, FCA and MHCLG Post Grenfell Building Safety Programme to name but a few. She recently completed a project on the mobilisation of the Mayor of London’s Violence Reduction unit.
Ruchi is also an active Non Executive Director on the Barnet, Enfield and Haringey Mental Health Trust with specialist focus on strategy and transformation. She is using her insight in to mental health in to developing wellbeing and preventative mental health strategies for major programmes organisations – looking at how we can optimise the project working environment in tandem with operating culture as a driver for well being and positive mental health.
Strategy and Transformation Disrupters EVA25 Episode 8 -Ruchi Singh & Carol Deveney
All Is One aka contorting the space time continuum
OR Diversity mixed up makes Tidy Verse.Nearly.
Diversity, from good to great,
If a Penny drops and no one hears, does it drop at all?
Anyone can make a Victoria sponge,
But very few are taking the plunge
And doing something different with the ingredients!
In short, time to be more expedient.
What is the real value of diversity?
Firstly, it’s main challenge is, it’s a challenge not to ignore.
It’s about leaving your seat & showing your moves on the dance floor.
We are stronger with diversity & weaker because of sameness
To achieve the true art of the possible
We need to include those who subscribe to a different Oracle.
We still need meritocracy to prevail, one with a more inclusive scale
A pipeline to the top plumbed into a wider society
The hardware shop of life enabling a pathway that channels variety.
Try a pipeline for all, even go to B&Q, they’ve got quite a few.
Try shaking it up with a disruption gauge
Bring radical change to an existing industry
Removing the mystery…
Of established acceptance,
Keeping the flavour but with a different essence.
Re-inventing relevance.
Creating a state of being closely connected
‘However beautiful the results
You should still look at the strategy’
We don’t want a Shakespearean tragedy,
Not just playing to the masses,
Time to go to Spec Savers and look through some different glasses.
03th December 2020
16:00
Topic : David Hancock Director Construction IPA interviewed by Nat Moyes Deltek
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Speaker : David Hancock – Construction Director Infrastructure and Projects Authority (IPA). |
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Speaker : Nat Mayos – Deltek
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I’ll risk it for a biscuit With David Hancock and Natalie Moyes
A flowing conversation into
Managing intensity and oversight
Mega project and big projects
Even Go to Projects R us,
Either way all projects take guts!
Start with a vision
Complexity versus complicated
Garden Shed versus the shard
Each in their own way is hard
Transparency the spaghetti Western of the build
Come high noon the date with no name must be fulfilled.
It may cost a few dollars more
Aim for the Morrison and you might just hit Fortrnum and Mason.
Cost, time and the quality is in the eye of the beholder,
The variable market forces are strong, ask Project Manager Yoda.
Beauracracy is around every corner
And there is no one to say your getting colder or warmer
Giving yourself the time & space rather than spinning plate after plate
Time to stop, time to look, time to make it right,
Don’t be an ambler gambler at the traffic light.
Crisis doesn’t wait for you to have a meeting
And history has a history of repeating.
Try Forward looking wearing ‘degree of confidence’ tinted glasses
Trust to trust access to access, a safer passage.
Every now and then We all wander through a conundrum catacomb
Trying to see the whole of the moon
Articulate motivate and you create the great escape
Variables to the left Uncertainty to the right, hold tight
As into valley of death between project conception and delivery
It’s nearly Christmas, nobody wants them, someone stop the cavalry.
10th December 2020
16:00
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Speaker : Evan Elliott – Data Scientist, BMT Defence & Security. |
Steve Wake’s Conversation Club – Episode 10 – Evan Elliot
(The Value of Data) Don’t you want me Data
I was working for a renewable energy company before I joined BMT,
Wind-farms it’s true.
But even then I knew there was something else
We all could all to do
standardising wind, and solar via automated alert,
proactive like a conductor at a concert
Data, Data quality – Integrity, at the start
only to find something else that’s flipped the flip chart
Don’t you want me Data
Don’t you want me to be greater
I was working as a waiter in a data bar
Have a on the house six point data plan star
Reporting – catching errors as soon as they exist
Standardising data collection, timelessness.
Meeting you were you’re at – Real time dynamic
Standardising central information-expanding the panoramic
Avoid a data flood, build an Ark like Noah would
Keep the information coming in two by two.
Creating a data Dictionary – Automation – Collection – Collation
Build a pipeline – define a scheme with a lifeline
Adaptable template Shared workspace.
A K A Crystal ball gazing, real time appraising
Recommendation engines relieving the tensions
If you don’t use it all, contractor and client will both be sorry
Don’t you want me, data don’t you want you want me (e-v-a)
Like the Human need a League
A Quality system of Data is all we need.
Paul Lyalls EVA25 Poet in Residence 2020
17th December 2020
16:00
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Speaker : Roger Hunter – Head of Project Controls-Delivery, BaeSystems. |
EVA25 Broadcast 11 With Roger Hunter
Who Controls The Purse Strings?
(Send in the pounds)
Isn’t it rich?
Are we a team or even a pair?
Real issues here at last on the ground,
Multiple solutions in mid-air,
Where are the accountants?
There ought to be accountants?
But More importantly who is doing what they should be doing?
What came first the pot or the tea and
Exactly who instigates the brewing.
Monitoring the elements
Delegating the control
Understanding the scope
Giving, the required amount of rope.
The most important Question of all
Putting the right shaped pegs in the right shaped hole.
Strengths and weakness, room to maneuver and tweakness.
Build a schedule and they will come as one.
A competence framework never hurt
Tricks up the sleeves of the shirt,
Shuffling the pack, making sure you mind the gap.
Nurture versus human nature
Best behaviour, less sinner more saviour
The underlying cultures of any organisation
Still need some reconfiguration.
Like an Iceberg lying nine tenths submerged, concealed
Just how many layers on your onion need to be un-peeled?
After all what do you get if you cross the Atlantic with the Titanic
About Half way – so create more picnic less panic.
Quality control assurance,
It’s making a Renaissance.
As the other 2 wise men added, with a look that said they knew…
The gold’s from us too!
But in the end, where are the accountants?
There ought to be accountants,
Send in the accountants…
Don’t bother, they’re here.
Paul Lyalls EVA25 Poet In Residence 20/21
14th January 2021
16:00
Topic : Sellafield
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Speaker : Elizabeth Harrin – GirlsGuideToPM.com |
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Speaker : Lee Edgar – Head of Profession – Sellafield Ltd Project Controls |
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Speaker : John Bushell – Planning Manager – Sellafield Ltd Project Controls |
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Speaker : Nick Garner – Senior Project Control Manager, Sellafield |
Sellafield oh Sellafield
Poem by Paul Lyalls – EVA25 Poet In Residence
Covering a footprint of 2 square miles,
The One time Nuclear star of the British Isles
Hundreds of buildings and thousands of people,
Where does the money flow, pop goes the weasel
Sellafield needs some of the same infrastructures as a small town.
A site that was the jewell of a bygone era Crown.
A 100 year plan a Billion Budget to Bust
In communication we trust.
Process, procedures one team ethic
Many teams, single delivery 100 of vikings becoming 1 Erik!
A community of practice
To paraphase ‘Bob The builder ‘we can crack this’
By sharing the knowledge, engaging with capability
It’s the utilising the ultimate utility.
Loosing the territorial becoming less gladiatorial.
Never underestimate the value of people who give the most of
A 2 way process that delivers the focus.
‘Give us bread but also give us roses’
Inspiring the individual to want to do more
Give the team well being, More pragmatic than bureaucratic.
When it comes to the best workforce grow your own
Plant the change you want sewn.
Connecting with teams and colleague, sharing knowledge.
Going beyond a great wage, all reading from the same page
Like the local lawyer taking a job in the Sellafield laundry
because it was better paid.
Perform with passion pride and pace
Make each and everyone feel they play a part in the place
Get to know each other, connect create a happiness index
It’s Glaringly obvious like a Cumbrian sunset.
21st January 2021
16:00
Topic : Tackling 2021. The ECITB perspective Join Dawn to listen challenge & discuss
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Speaker : Dawn Thompson – Senior Account Manager ECITB |
E 2 the C, 2 the I, 2 the T, 2 the B
E C I T B 2 B or not 2 B
It’s statuary,
Influencing Government policy.
Requiring a levy, Not American pie!
Criteria, who where when and why?
Obligated to be as solid as the stone that holds the sword,
It’s the Engineering Construction Industry Training Board.
A kind of Camelot without the lottery
In the future meeting the capacity.
A vision to be the industry authority.
Meeting the current skills need.
Giving the Industry a carbon zero drip feed.
Helping new entrants to make an entrance
Digitising competence assurance.
Awakening the industry to provide training to its workforce.
Finding the rider and horse for the right course,
Working in partnership with business and government to deliver a
Diverse and highly skilled worker,
Using Data analytics rather than Bodgit and Scarper.
Offering value by enabling industry to compete globally,
Without forgetting the locally.
Squeezing the supply chains, Delivery costs too high, too long?
Instead of being lifted up to where we belong.
Investing in the future to make it smoother.
Ensuring Workforces of tomorrow are prepared and ready
Upskilling, Embracing standardisation taking the Chevy to the Levy
Not always easy, Removing the unnecessary hurdles
Actions in actions Not just giving it Verbals
Stop thinking about just – take, make, use and dispose.
Replacing with shape, create, fuse and soul.
Addressing the waste in project control.
E C I T B
Yes siiree!
28th January 2021
16:00
Topic : Strategic Education and Skills Director, City of London
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Speaker : Prof Anne Bamford OBE – Strategic Director of theEducation & Skills City of London |
Prof Anne Bamford
Professor Anne Bamford OBE is Strategic Director of the Education and Skills for the City of London. Anne has been recognized internationally for her research in creativity, lifelong learning and technology. She instigated the term, ‘fusion skills’ to describe the competencies needed for flourishing now and into the future. Through her research, she has pursued issues of innovation, social impact and equality and diversity. A world scholar for UNESCOs, Anne has conducted major national impact and evaluation studies for the governments of Denmark, The Netherlands, Belgium, Iceland, Hong Kong, Ireland and Norway. Amongst her numerous articles and book chapters, Anne is author of the “Wow Factor: Global research compendium on the impact of the arts in education” which has been published in five languages and distributed in more than 40 countries
The Great Barrier Brief
No Illusion, it’s Fusion.
It’s A fusion of skills and attitudes,
Within multiple industries and our collective values.
Fluidity of Identity not what are we going to be
But what we want to see withing the possibility.
It’s how we communicate
In a way that goes beyond Ricky Lake.
The Adaptability’s of Life will come to you
Stepping round the hedge avoiding the backwards pulling through.
It’s what employers need to unleash
To keep the Beauty with the workforce Beast
Heathrow are you listening
The skies are emptier than an alcohol free Australian Christening.
Close the skills gap
Make the world a more productive Map.
Fusion is all about increasing productivity
We are evolving into a new caring society
Diverse skills will allow Darwinism of life/work balance variety.
Into the bargain there’s no talking in Jargon
Standards are the vanguards
For agile leadership,
An empathetic script
A Movie to remove the golden handcuffs
Like Dorothy going back to Kansas
The Wizardry of Aus-
In a meaningful dialogue.
177 Government documents can’t be wrong
But do they say as much as this poem.
Fusion is the skill set that’s here to Stay
Making 12 Good neighbours of work, rest and play
Life Long Learning Home and Away.
It’s taking control of the crumbling of the cookie,
I should be so lucky.
Paul Lyalls EVA25 Poet In Residence 20/21
04th February 2021
16:00
Topic : Estimating for Public Use and Benefit
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Speaker : Sirish Parekh – Estimating Manager, Highways England |
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Speaker : Gary Hill – Senior Cost Engineer, Cost Assurance & Analysis Service |
Sirish Parekh
Sirish is an Estimating Manager in Highways England, with experience in Cost Estimating & Modelling, Risk and Uncertainty management, Change Management and Project Delivery. He has held positions in Rolls-Royce Submarines as a Programme Manager on implementing SSCR across the business, an Estimating Specialist, Supportability Engineering Team Leader and Whole Life Cost Engineer. His current role involves managing the Operations Estimating Team, improving the estimating capability as well as standardising good practice across all regions in Highways England. Sirish is a Co-Chair of the Cross Whitehall Estimating (CWEst) Group, which promotes estimating leading practice across Government and ALBs.
Gary Hill
Gary is an Incorporated Engineer and works for the Cost Analysis and Assurance Service. With over 30 years of project controls experience Gary has specialised in estimating, costing and pricing of a wide range of projects/equipment and has undertaken estimating reviews at circa 80+ Suppliers. He is passionate about developing, sharing and adopting of leading practice and so co-founded, and is currently co-chair of the Cross Whitehall Estimating Group (CWEst). Gary is also a Certified Cost Estimator and Analyst with the International Cost Estimating and Analysis Association (ICEAA). As an Earned Value Management (EVM) practitioner Gary is a keen advocate of the appropriate and proportional use of EVM. He supports the Association of Project Managers (APM) as a member of the Specific Interest Group for Planning, Monitoring and Control. In his spare time Gary is a keen DIY’er, Enjoys landscape Gardening, as well as spending time with his family.
Don’t underestimate the Estimating
To Whitehall and Beyond – as one
Forget One Direction, try One entity,
The ultimate Sheriff not numerous deputy upon deputy.
It’s Estimated that to be better we all need to be better
To create a British standard hot knife that cuts through butter.
Sharing Practice – progress – training
Contact us – manifest – no braining – now we’re working.
Uncorking Real emphasis into the work-streams – REMEMBER
A tin opener is required for every can off baked beans.
Establishing Identity, growing re-branded, Sponsor & recognition
The next Step of the Journey, Euston we have ignition!
To embrace Trust, collaborate and take one giant step
It’s estimated that estimates don’t have a great rep.
7 tenths of all estimates are informed
But the other 4 tenths miss the mark
Depends up which tree you bark!
Estimating time and cost
Easily becomes the missing leading the lost
Hold it, Audit, heard it – on the grapevine
The need for Ranges as plain as the horizon needs a skyline.
Capturing the Data.
Times have moved on since just coming up with a number
And doubling it later
Estimating should take its rightful place at the table.
Not everyone who’s been on a train can build a railway.
It’s Estimated that every Estimate
Should be taken with a pinch of salt
Until it goes together like Disney and Walt,
As the client said to contractor after the settling of the dust
You don’t know anything about this project
To which the contractor replied that makes two of us.
To the pessimist the glass is always half empty
To the optimist it’s always half full
To some project mangers it’s size should always be double.
11th February 2021
16:00
Topic : Suppliers – Harmonising the Relationship
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Speaker : Oliver Baker, BEng MSc CEng MIET MAPM – Head of Planning & Scheduling I Key Supplier Management Team – Submarine Delivery Agency |
Oliver Baker
An experienced Project Controls Leader, I have spent most of the last 10 years managing diverse teams in the design, implementation and delivery of project controls in complex and highly regulated environments across the Defence sector, including the Nuclear Deterrent replacement programme.
During my time at the Ministry of Defence, I have led teams during two departmental transformation programmes and, consequently, am comfortable setting strategic direction and leading through ambiguity, whilst managing the demands of competing stakeholders and ensuring alignment of organisation objectives.
Originally from a Project Management and Engineering background, I have an excellent appreciation of how project controls can support complex projects in driving performance and achieving project goals.
The bit below the iceberg (aka Don’t sink my sub)
The seaweed is always greener
In somebody else’s lake.
You dream about harmonising
In order to minimise every mistake
Under the sea, Under the sea
The costs are steeper
Because everything’s deeper
Under the sea.
Setting expectations together to create rapport
Genuine trust is required, especially on the ocean floor!
Getting all onboard, changing behavioural delusions of grandeur
What more are you looking for
Under the sea, Under the sea
Doing it better, Down where it’s wetter,
Under the sea.
Two routes to compromising
to ensure it’s pearls we get when we’re diving
understanding suppliers maturity
credible and realistic requirements and credibility
Open up your fishing lines of communication
While we devotin’ less sinking, more floatin’
Joint goals keep all the fish sweet
Especially when we’re all swimming off the same hymn sheet.
Under the sea, under the sea,
Lifted and shifted
Articulate, wrapped and gifted
Under the sea.
Two teams build a relationship
To get away from the project gold-fish-bowl.
Understanding each others positional seascape
Shared challenges you face, recognising we both share one fate.
It’s the same water we just in a different lake
Under the sea, under the sea in harmony with the MOD
Is where we will be.
Paul Lyalls EVA25 Poet in Residence 20/21
There’s a whole new world in your bucket dear Carole, dear Carole
And the Keyboard jockey’s are under order…and they’re off!
We have been measuring knowledge,
Knowledge in you, knowledge in me (a-ha)
Unless we change what we are looking for
We will always get what we got again once more!
Crunching the data, turning the Rubic cube
It’s a mystery machine with the Scooby snacks but no Scoob.
Knowing what you want and asking for what you want
Are the same viewing point but with 2 different views
Confusedddddd?
You will be!
But wait, let’s cognate
Soft skills so nice to the touch
Drill it down, drill it down and you will find…
Communication is entwined.
If that’s a problem for you
Then solve it, that’s what Problem solvers do.
The age old problem of seeing through Analysis…
Crystal clear like glass palaces.
But it’s so multi-dimensional
You say creative I say creatave!
Motivation and initiative are both new born and dearly departed.
The Leadership has sailed but your ship has just come in
Reliability, dependability adaptability, that rhymes for itself!
Don’t let Team work and patience get left on the shelf
Following instructions, walking in the footsteps of those who know
Without stepping on toes.
What’s needed is generosity of sustainability not just what’s best for you
But when you live in a jungle who needs a zoo?
But what about Seuss? Doctor Seuss!
‘Think left, Think right, think low, think high,
Ah the thinks you can think up,
If you only try.
Paul Lyalls EVA25 Poet in Residence 20/21
25th February 2021
16:00
Topic : Employability Skills. Seeking perfection by imperfect means.
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Speaker : Carole Still ,Carole Still Coventry University in London |
Carole Still
A Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, International Educator and UN Management Coach, Carole’s lecturing expertise spans Leadership, Workplace Psychology, Motivation, Mediation and the Art of Networking. A passionate advocate of experiential and self-reflective learning, Carole’s research in this field has led to the creation of effective feedback methods and the design and implementation of award winning business simulations focused on developing the graduate skills employers seek. Carole’s PhD research employs word-sense disambiguation from extant surveys and primary data, to examine a common understanding of skills among academics and employers. The output is intended to form the basis of a validated taxonomy of the graduate skills, attributes and behaviours employers seek. Carole has held senior academic and professional roles in Coventry University London since 2010.
04th March 2021
16:00
Topic : Benefits Management is Simple when Done Well
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Speaker : Richard Brenchley ,Benefits Management Practitioner |
Richard Brenchley
Richard is an experienced change practitioner and consultant, and has worked in large and dynamic organisations across both the private and public sector. He passionately believes that benefits are the only reason for an organisation implementing change, but has often seen change embarked on without this focus. His experience is that most organisations already possess the ability and resources to do Benefits Management well, what they may lack is a ‘Value Focused Culture’ within which to pull it all together.
Can You Spare A Little Change
Change, it changes more than you think!
It’s all about strengthening the weakest link
With undeniable benefits that benefit us all
Managing Benefits
Goes hand in like World Book Day and Roald Dahl.
It’s a question of deeper project management,
Integrating time and purpose to reduce the entanglement.
Benefits beautiful Benefits, simple when well done
It’s a process of clarity that benefits any organisation.
If and When
Are the Zen.
Activity alignment, macro level pull it together with precision
Galvanising oh galvanising, We will see your win win rising.
Materiality offers the opportunity for companies to gather Opinions and provide a solid foundation
For an on-going conversation,
Strengthen the two-way communication,
Improving mutual unification.
Strategy planning a joined up perspective
Without the need to hire a private detective
Join the dots, methods and frameworks in place
Looking forward and outward another one bites the dust
Would be nothing without that constant riffing bass.
A transformation programme magic carpet ride
That defines the limits without measuring the sky.
So where does benefit management actually sit
Is it in the ball park,
Does it take a leap in the dark
Is it the bench mark
Every road doesn’t need a roundabout
But it does need and end and a definitely a start
Paul Lyalls EVA25 Poet In Residence 20/21
11th March 2021
16:00
Topic : Responsible Project Management (RPM)
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Speaker : Karen Thompson , Leader for MSc Organisational Project Management |
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Speaker : David Corbin , Director |
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Speaker : Nigel Williams ,Reader in Project Management at University of Portsmouth |
The Responsibility Of Tomorrow Starts Today
2021 the international year of RPM,
A call to cut and shine the unpolished gem
We are spinning at around 1000 MPH
But we don’t notice, as we, everyone & everything is in the same place.
But in the real world we are all spinning in different directions & velocity
And some are passing go, some are missing a throw in life’s game of monopoly.
Less slogan, more practice
More reaction, less delaying tactic.
It’s true, it’s adorable when you blame everyone but you
Success and failure, both are hard to gauge
It depends on the headlines you want on your front page
Smart citizens, smart cities, ‘Amplifying the scope’,
The words of the prophet or some such other old bloke.
Delivering projects and lives to be better.
Meeting the needs of society
Without the need for an Oprah that interrogates sense that is common less royalty.
Every link is linked do you want to do the conga, or the Hokey Cokey?
Do you want to sustainability that’s longer,
How long is a piece of string depends if it’s ropey!
Social Value is a key to unlocking the re-arrange.
Plastic bricks, fantastic tricks,
Set a mark that’s bench, if you want long seated change.
We could speak about this for ages,
We could fill up volumes of pages,
We could put all our demons in cages,
We could measure for measure in all the world’s stages.
All we can do is maximise all we know
And of course use RPM, if we are really going to Lego.
18th March 2021
16:00
Topic : Making Scope Flexible not Fragile
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Speaker : Dr Andrew Edkins , UCL |
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Speaker : Prof Paul Chinowsky Colorado , State University & the Engineering Project Organization Society |
What A Difference A Couple Of Professors Make!
From Far and near
We’re all on the road to somewhere
Hightailing it out of wherever we’ve just left,
Shopping around has morphed into Click and collect.
The Barbara Striesand era of doing things is over,
‘The way we were’ has come to a closure.
Were we’ve being and we’re we are going
Is no longer certain and no one is all knowing.
Wherever it is, Tesla is getting the drinks in
Air Bus, GM and the usually drinking ring
Are no longer buying.
The times they are a changing but don’t panic!
At least the uncertainty is dynamic!
Change & Time are limitless Just like America it’s newly unprecedented
It’s not a total car-crash in fact some of it’s not even dented!
The future is open to be re-imagined.
Output, outcome, impact, what’s the project trying to do
Everybody is re-inventing delivery, we’re all a subsidiary of deliveroo!
And good old Earned Value…that still rings true.
It’s only when the crisis bus pulls into town
That everyone gets onboard and accelerated delivery is found.
Roll out the vaccines, roll up the sleeves
Unless you want an open ended Henry the Eighth life
Get it over quickly, just like Ann of Cleves.
Just like HS2 we’ll get there. one day, over the rainbow.
Even if it’s a high-speed tip-toe.
When you dive off the diving board there’s no magic return pass
So, whatever you do at least make a splash!
Adaptation, flexibilty the right project, the bespoke kind,
And just like Johnny Cash, not only walk but embrace the line.
We’re not saying this is or this isn’t, or who could have predicted this?
We’re saying welcome to the new complexities
Projects will twist & move & will never again just be a needle in the groove.
Getting from A to B is still a good bet
But now you might have to travel through more of the alphabet.
08th April 2021
16:00
Topic : 5 Levers for Change
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Speaker : Tony Welch ,VP Bids and Programmes Thales UK |
From Sit up and beg to racing bike.
The 5 levers for change
To be best in class
Project execution must come to pass.
Address the approach
Be more awake then even the woke.
Strengthen end to end, more style less trend.
Take a whole life cycle view
There’s been many a good tune played on a Didgeridoo.
Focus and invest on the upstream
Share the knowledge from every winning team.
A global business unit,
Never assumes it
Start-and-end management! Make it understood,
Sometimes we don’t know about a behavior & why they should.
Share a common themes, One tin, multiple sardines.
Deploy common analysis,
Then you’ll find your holy grail or at least unearth a few chalices
Invest in Culture and behaviour,
The magnificent 7 ride into town as Saviour.
Make the easy easy . People easily love to do the easy
But if it requires extra effort it’s over
Like an enigma, wrapped in a sweet wrapper hidden down the back of a sofa.
Every desirable quest contains Ripple effect into attractiveness.
Make it rewarding, pay homage to the core.
Raise their status up & then they’ll tell you what the butler saw
Champions waste the least ,
Attract and recognise, the noisy lift gets the grease.
15th April 2021
16:00
Topic : Musk! Watch This Space
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Speaker : Stephen Carver, Senior Lecturer Cranfield School of Management/University |
Space in the market
The cold war is no more
Sputnik and Laika are the stuff of folklore
To infinity and beyond
NASA, once the only fish in an ever expanding pond.
No longer waving the magic wand.
The space race,
One small flag for man, one giant piece of real estate for Manhattan!
The rocket men came and went
The budget got well and truly spent,
The demand for thrust was frustrated
Even the space shuttle burst its bubble.
And the space race was outdated and ultimately fated.
In steps Elon Musk,
And in America in Musk we trust
From Tellstar to Tesla whatever the problem he’s a wrestler.
Launch into the ring Jeff Bezos
Another new entry into the cosmos.
‘Blue Origin’ step by step ferociously
Has lifted the glass ceiling quite openly.
The trouble is if you don’t risk anything
You risk even more.
And now Amazon aren’t just knocking at your door
There at the gates of the universe offering a force majeure.
But NASA you still matter,
There will always be something cool about your logo
At least that will boldly go
Onto T –shirts around the globe
And baseball caps balance just above the ear lobe.
Your original cause may have been eclipsed and obliterated
But at least those 4 letters will never be out abbreviated.
22nd April 2021
16:00
Topic : When the sh*t hits the fan, how to make sure the power is turned off.
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Speaker : Bob Arnold, Director BAR Group Consultancy Leadership & Governance in Health and Safety |
Bob Arnold
When the shit hits the fan, how to make sure the power is turned off.
Bob will address the very wide range of problems that often characterise the nature of large projects and will then propose some ideas as to types of reports that are needed by boards and their executives.
Bob has considerable experience as a construction project manager. This work was followed by working on and with boards to bring about improvements in project and corporate management. Latterly, he has taken responsibility for health and safety, quality and sustainability for Multiplex Construction’s operations in Canada, Europe and the Middle East.
With a co-author based in the UAE, he has a book on health and safety leadership and governance for boards and their executive teams due for publication Spring 2021. He is currently setting up an on-line training business with a view to helping boards and their executive teams fulfil their leadership and governance roles.
You can’t get it right unless you get it right at the top
Put all the bases in all the right places,
Health and safety, stealth versus hasty.
You can’t go alone, wherever you go, stay out of the crisis zone.
It’s delicate, It’s contractors, and it will always be cost factors.
You can’t get it right unless you get it right at the top!
End zone, no rules, end of day it’s a clip board looking for clues!
Lack of prep, watch your step, get down Shep!
The risk factor of a 1970’s studio dog going out of control
Watch the screaming Blue Peter murder chaos unfold!
You can’t get it right unless you get it right at the top!
Pull the value chain, stop the project train.
Welcome to my concept, is gambling the best bet?
Defects are-a-coming
The answers are in the wind-a-blowing.
Depends on Default, the Devils in the Detail.
Accelerate the contract, working round the clock in an anorak
Cutting costs and sticking out your collar-less neck.
The wrong bolts…or similar other faults,
Results in Showering Luton with shrapnel-
Shoulder to the Anvil.
The lack of slips and dips,
Everyone is a potential apocalypse.
You can’t get it right unless you get it right at the top!
Decisions taking place in isolation of the consequences,
Would even scrabble the Bard of Manchester’s versifying senses.
In short if you don’t want things to go from Bard to verse
Drive the project, otherwise you’ll be a passenger in a hearse
Getting everything into place can’t hurt
And while you’re at it put on a bloody shirt!
Paul Lyalls EVA25 Poet In Residence 20/21
29th April 2021
16:00
Topic : Why Hire a Veteran?
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Speaker : Jason Hones , Regional Delivery Director (Midlands) Highways England |
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Speaker : John Kerner , Project Director Highways England |
My Way On The Highway
New broom sweep good but old broom no all the corners
Veterans are leaders
Like the Monkee’s they’re believers
In getting the most from a team
Every cadbury’s egg would be nothing without the cream.
Planning and running
The Titanics issues went beyond plumbing.
Because no plan survives contact with the enemy
Just like the English language gets mangled up by David Bellamey
Operation stack, what a tailback!
Traffic in a a queue on the M20
Traffic cones a plenty
Contingency and what if
Needs clarity or you’ll be deciphering a hieroglyph.
Flexibility and adaptability
Coach, train and mentor
Not off the shelf from Marks n Spencer.
From one extreme to another
From a workforce to a band of brothers.
Common allegiance, same song sheet
The forces version is often greater than that found on ‘civvy’ street
The Highway sector and defence, different barrells same farrier
Do you say central reservation of crash barrier.
The perfect fit, the right kit, the right remit, non-stick, kiss me quick,
Even new dogs need to be taught every new trick.
That’s it!
Paul Lyalls EVA25 Poet in Residence 20/21
06th May 2021
16:00
Topic : COP26: Beacon or Iceberg?
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Speaker : Ed Davey, International engagement director, Food & Land Use Coalition; Co-director, |
13th May 2021
16:00
Topic : Standardised Costing Challenges and Benefits
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Speaker : David Jones, Global Head of Costing Sodexo |
20th May 2021
16:00
Topic : ‘Scoring a Try’ – Aligning the principles of sporting success to faster Project delivery
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Speaker : David Herington, Naval architect and Chartered engineer |
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Speaker : Ben Salder, a Production Manager
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Speaker : David Herington, Naval architect and Chartered engineer |
Do you trust in Luck or trust in the ruck?
It takes balls to play, technically only one.
But it’s the way you handle it that gets the jobs done.
Scoring a try – Aligning the principles of sporting success
For a smoother faster Project.
Enhancing the delivery, you’ve heard of ‘The Goal’,
Call us butter, cos’ we’re on a roll.
If you drop the ball, is it a bad catch or a bad pass.
Try an App, to achieve faster cycle times on the Project ‘pro-sass’!
Game preparation is crucial,
Especially if the job has more loose ends then a drop kicked box of noodles.
Do you understand your processes – the right place at the right time,
Making sure that every team has a spine.
Reducing the time, the ball is sitting on the floor,
Keeping it moving, turning over, quick hands that increase the score.
The role each player plays, many Spartacuses becoming one Dirk
Because teamwork makes the dream work.
Constructive tension problem solving gets thing done
It’s the coming together that’s at the heart of every scrum.
Using tech to engage the people with a ‘ball’ in their hand
Allowing them to be the source of supply that meets the demand.
Allow them to excel at their ‘game’, become a game changer
So the project sleeps sweetly like a baby away in a manger
Removing frustration, changing actions and habits to ‘hold the gain’
Improving every link strengthens every chain.
Do you know where your project balls are going
Especially when they are changing hands so fast they are glowing!
Pain is temporary, Pride is forever embedded
How do you want to be remembered.
As ballsy or a pencil that was, well, unleaded.
EVA25 Poet In Residence Paul Lyalls 20/21