Certforums Interview - David Burrows, Microsoft

[AJ]

I am pleased to announce that I have managed to get an interview with David Burrows who is the

Director of Education/Voluntary Markets & Public Sector Marketing/Strategic Programs for Microsoft UK.

Here is his Biog



David Burrows

Director of Education/Voluntary Markets & Public Sector Marketing/Strategic Programs

Microsoft UK

David Burrows is Director of Education/Voluntary Markets & Public Sector Marketing/Strategic Programs at Microsoft UK. He oversees all of the company’s activities in the education market, including Microsoft’s commercial agreements with schools, colleges and universities; as well as efforts to improve ICT access for learners and programmes to provide ICT training for teachers and a range of projects to provide people with skills for the IT workplace.

He also maintains a close dialogue with the various bodies on all aspects of policies aimed at improving access to IT for all learners, and transforming education. He is a past serving member of the ITCESSG, a task group within the Information Age Partnership looking at IT Skills as part of the National Skills Task Force. He is also a past serving board member of the e-SKILLS.NTO (now e-Skills SSC), a board member of CC4G (Computer Clubs for Girls); a past member of the DELG Task-Force reporting to the National LSC (Learning and Skills Council) on workplace learning using technology and was recently appointed as a member of the MOD Defence Education and Skills Advisory Board. David was appointed a non-executive director on the board of UKERNA (the provider of the SuperJANET network) in 2003 as the National LSC (Learning and Skills Council) industry representative; and is past Chair of Trustees of the Learning Lab.

David joined Microsoft in 1991 as the ‘City’ Sales Manager. He subsequently held a range of management positions in sales and marketing within the UK subsidiary, covering Channel Partners, Consulting and Support Services, Skills and Training and the Small Business segment. David has also spent time at the company’s European Headquarters working on European Service and Support programmes. He took over as Head of the Education & Skills Development division in 2000. He was appointed to his current role in 2003.

Previous to Microsoft, David was with Digital Equipment Corporation for 5 years in sales and sales management roles in the Financial Services market; and previous to that, with Olivetti, in a variety of technical, pre-sales and sales roles for 4 years.

Born in London, David was educated in London and Warwickshire, graduating from Leicester University with a BA (Hons). After an initial career as a pilot with the RAF, David moved into IT.

David is married and lives near Henley-on-Thames with his wife and two children. He is a keen armchair sports person (rugby, football and F1) and occasional mountain-biker and golfer. He is also a classic car rally enthusiast (having successfully completed a number of European rallies, including the famous London to Monte Carlo, raising considerable sums for the NSPCC along the way).

This is a great opportunity for CF members to ask pertinate questions to a representative of Microsoft. Please remember to keep your questions within his remit

I'd like to get this thing on the roll guys, so your please post your questions ASAP so I can pass them onto him. Please remember there is the Christmas break coming so I would like to send the questions to him before then.

Thanks a lot

AJ

[simongrahamuk]

Great Stuff AJ!

CAn't think of anything to ask him at the miniute (but it is early). I'll have a think though.

[AJ]

*BUMP*

Just reminding you this post is still here. Let's have some questions please

[simongrahamuk]

It would be worth asking him what impact he feels IT is having on education, and how does he see the way that we are educated at present changing with the implementation of new technology.

[simongrahamuk]

IT literacy is increasing across the country / world, how can the "IT Pro's" stay one step ahead of the game when it comes to protecting systems and investments?

[simongrahamuk]

With the use of Open Source technologies becoming more 'mainstream' how does MS plan to deal with this? In order to remain competitive should they be looking to simplify their licensing? Esp. to the public sector when Open Source is gaining popluarity.


Thinking on my feet now, does the above make sense?

[simongrahamuk]

Does he still fly planes in his spare time?

Enough from me now?

[AJ]

Thanks for that Simon, anyone else?????

[ffreeloader]

I have a couple of questions, but I think he would percieve them as being confrontational so I'll pass.

[Boycie]

Yeah, how come Windows comes with utilities like disk defrag but no AV?

[simongrahamuk]

Originally Posted by ffreeloader

I have a couple of questions, but I think he would percieve them as being confrontational so I'll pass.

I'm sure that if they were worded correctly they would make interesting reading.

[Arroryn]

All the best people are educated in Warwickshire

Having been a board member on CC4G, how does he see the role of women in the computing industry developing in the future? (especially with the recent media speculation of there being a shortage of women being attracted to computing as a career path.)

[AJ]

Freddy, if you want to PM me those questions I'll see if they can be phrased and asked to him. If they fall into his remit I will ask them.

[AJ]

oh nice question Arroryn.


Anyone else???

come on don't be shy, there are more of us here that work in Education

[Bluerinse]

AJ you might want to ask him what he thinks of these Microsoft partner training companies that promise jobs and huge salaries in order to entice the newbie into this industry, when we know the IT bubble burst years ago and that these people are going to find it really hard to find a job.

What can Microsoft and other vendors do to control what is being touted by these salesman. You could site the number of disgruntled members we have here all telling the same sob story regardless of the actual training provider.

You will have to re-word this, my head hurts today