Curriculum Vitae

4 Victoria Terrace, Bohetherick, St Dominick, , , PL12 6SY. Alex Midlen, [email protected] Tel 07535 669619

Summary With a total of 25 years experience in public policy, spatial planning and natural resource management in business, academia, local government and charity sectors I have the breadth of technical knowledge and practical experience to lead research and policy development tasks, to appropriately specify and commission studies, and to manage implementation. Working for over 17 years at various levels of government (local, regional, national, international) and being concerned with development and implementation of public policy throughout, I have knowledge and insights that enable me to understand user needs, and to deliver programme outputs and advice in a form that maximises short, medium and long-term impact. With 15 years of project and programme management experience, in local national and international settings, I have demonstrated the ability to successfully bridge technical disciplines, institutional silos and national cultures to achieve results. Used to working in a fast-paced, task and finish, project- centred environment I take pride in delivering on time and to budget. International and cross-discipline projects and programmes present a multi- layered management challenge in which I excel: I am skilled at selecting and motivating project teams; I am an effective chairperson of steering groups/ Boards; I am a successful communicator across a variety of media; I make effective use of national and international forums to maximise programme impact; and have considerable experience working with political leaders. I have extensive experience in programme management accounting, reporting, and auditing. I have proven adept at using projects and programmes to drive forward innovation in public service delivery. I am a proven self-starter, having considerable reserves of initiative and able therefore to create, develop and lead projects, programmes and organisations from start to finish.

Key skills Personal qualities Project, programme and team management Leadership Public policy-making and implementation Patience and determination Policy research Listening skills Institutional capacity-building Cultural empathy Community and stakeholder engagement Intellectual curiosity

Selected Publications (click to view) Marine planning (chapter 6) Coastal planning Aquaculture textbook Coastal management in Wales 'The Case for Coastal Renewal' Barriers to policy integration Governance in north Africa Colne Estuary strategy Positions held Employment

Management Board member, East of Consultant (self-employed). Recent contracts with National Coastal Initiative - UK Government Oceanographic Centre, Plymouth Marine Laboratory, and coastal policy research programme. 2009-11 collaboration with Plymouth University Marine Institute.

All Party Parliamentary Group, Coastal Plymouth City Council. Responsible for spatial policy on and Marine, Convener. UK Parliament. 2005 climate change adaptation and mitigation; coastal flooding, - 2012 water quality and urban drainage; leading strategic environmental assessment. Wide role in preparation of spatial Company Secretary, CoastNet 2006 - 2011 development plan.

Colchester Renaissance Partnership (with Programme Manager, . November 2012 to Essex County Council). Board Member. 2004 March 2014. Managed a €3.2 million EU Interreg funded - 2006 programme (www.cordialeproject.eu). Coordination of delivery amongst 9 partners in UK and France. Chair, CoastNet Conference programme. 2003 - 2012 Strategic Director, CoastNet. 2006-2012. Chief Executive of a UK social and environmental charity. Responsible for Local Government Association Coastal organisational development, and specialist policy advice in Interest Group, senior officers committee. coastal and marine management. Personnel and programme 1998 - 2006 management. Regular contact with civil servants and politicians, community groups, and technical experts. President, Eurocoast Association. 2008 - 2010 Regeneration Manager, Colchester Borough Council, 2005-6. Responsible for urban regeneration programme in Chairman, ‘SAIL’ Partnership. 2004-2006 Port area. Coordinated council policy; worked with Regional Agencies to secure regeneration funds; initiated and Chairman of Trustees, CoastNet. 2001-2006 managed key projects.

Steering Group member, ‘Irish Sea Pilot’ Coastal Manager, Colchester Borough Council, UK. marine governance research programme. 1997-2005. Initiated and led wide range of marine and coastal 2002-2004 policy, projects and programmes including; marine protected areas; coastal planning; sustainable development initiatives Review of Marine Nature Conservation, regarding fisheries, maritime recreation, maritime heritage etc. UK Government 1999 – 2004. Board Led wide range of community engagement activity. Member representing Local Government Association. Consultant. Aquaculture and coastal management. 1990-1997. Associated with universities of Hull and Native Oyster Species Action Plan Newcastle. Reports and training in relation to fish farming and Steering Group, Natural England. 1999 coastal management, including missions to India, Singapore and Romania. Review Board of Estuary Partnerships, 1999 Research Officer, University of Stirling. 1988-1990. UK and in-country support to UK Aid programme for fisheries and aquaculture in Bangladesh and Thailand

Manager, Burn Valley Trout Farm, Devon. 1985-87. Undertook Higher Education all farm duties from stock management, feeding, processing MSc Aquaculture and Fisheries and product development, and marketing. Management, Institute of Aquaculture, Trawler fisherman. 1985. General duties on medium-sized University of Stirling, UK. 1987-88 trawler, specialising in scallops and benthic fisheries. BSc (Hons) II(i). Environmental Biology with Zoology, Queen Mary College, University of Post-graduate researcher, Exeter University. 1983-85. Reproductive ecology of starfish and brittlestars. London, UK. 1980-83