itSMF 2011 Trainer of the Year Award
London - 7 November 2011:
Mike Baker received the prestigious itSMF Trainer of the Year Award at the Industry’s annual awards ceremony in London Hammersmith on Tuesday 7th November 2011. Lenny Henry who hosted the ceremony, said that the award is given to the Trainer who in the judges’ view had delivered the most successful and consistent training throughout the year.
Mike’s nomination was supported by numerous students all praising his ability to deliver courses with in-depth subject knowledge and enthusiasm, enhancing the learning experience with real life scenarios.
After receiving the award Mike said “I feel very proud to be the winner of the award - it is a great day for myself and the support team at Fox IT. I would like to thank everyone involved in my nomination and selection including APMG who sponsored the award.
“Being in the position of Trainer of the Year I would like to take the opportunity to address all IT Service Management trainers and remind them that we are the entry point to Service Management and ITIL for many people and to stress, therefore, the importance of properly promoting our industry and building enthusiasm into course attendees.”
Quote - Paul Speers, Fox IT CEO
Profile - Mike Baker
itSMF Trainer of the Year Award - Background information
Quote - Paul Speers, Fox IT CEO
Paul Speers, Fox IT CEO, said “This is tangible recognition of not only Mike’s excellent personal achievements but also the delivery model utilised by Fox IT. All too often Procurement departments are purchasing low cost commodity courses and not focussing on the need for a business ROI from their training investment, which can only be achieved from using practising consultants to deliver training.”
“Fox IT has a policy of only utilising practising consultants, each qualified to ITIL Expert reinforced by over 20 years proven implementation experience, to develop and delivers its courses. This ensures Students receive a real life education and so accelerates the translation of education into effective implementation leading to tangible business benefits. Recognition by the ITSMF in 4 out of the 5 years the award has been running is I believe an external endorsement of the Fox IT delivery model”.
Profile - Mike Baker
After a 23 year military career, Mike moved into the IT world. His first IT Manager sent him on an ITIL Foundation course (the first one to be delivered in the UK - and Mike is proud of owning certificate number 007). From that day he has been a keen advocate of the framework and has made a second career in the Service Management industry. Since 1995 he has worked for 11 years as a consultant with Fox IT and Ultracomp and also five years in operational roles within Service Management in the financial and retail sectors.
Mike’s extensive experience in training means he covers all aspects of ITIL training from business simulation to the ITIL intermediate courses. He is also an advocate of the CoBIT framework and trains on the foundation course.
He was nominated for the award by several students attending Foundation, Lifecycle and Capability courses delivered by Mike.
Mike has also been awarded the prestigious “Trainer of the Month” from Microsoft.
itSMF Trainer of the Year Award - Background information
This category is open to all classroom based trainers (physical not virtual classrooms) who are UK based, delivering the majority of their training within the UK in support of Service Management, which may include accreditation with a recognised Examination Institute (APMG, EXIN, ISEB, itSMF, SDI). Entrants can be nominated by current/former students, employers, or peers within the ITSM industry. Employers/employing organisations can nominate only one trainer per year.
The winning submission will be, in the judges’ opinion, the individual that can best demonstrate a proven ability to conduct a course, show familiarity with the topic, and have good communication and coaching skills. Above all, the trainer must have gained the experience and have the enthusiasm to hold their audience throughout the training session.
Judging will be undertaken by a group of impartial and unbiased industry professionals nominated by the itSMF UK Management Board. All activities will be overseen by a member of the itSMF UK office.
Following evaluation of submissions the judges will select finalists who will be invited to deliver a “Training Session” on a subject chosen by the Judges
