Testimonials
Ian transformed the profile of the Red Cross across Northern Scotland, the largest operational area in the UK. Over the eight years and seven months he worked for us, he displayed passion, commitment and exceptional leadership in emergency operations enabling the Red Cross to meet its corporate objectives of Saving Lives and Changing Lives.
He built strong partnerships with external organisations, and his stakeholder management is exceptional. He was instrumental in developing an emergency response capability in Northern Scotland which is both highly respected and contributed to the saving of many lives. He also significantly influenced the development of the Red Cross emergency response capability across the whole of the UK and beyond.
As an inspirational leader, he has built very successful teams and developed significant contract income both in the provision of event medical and first aid services and in community health and social care.
Comfortable in representing the Red Cross across all media, Ian has led the Red Cross response to a number of high profile national incidents.
Ian was enormously respected by his colleagues and senior directors alike, he will be sadly missed
It has been a pleasure to work with you over the years, and I really do thank you for all you have achieved, and for your personal support. You have been a real pioneer, and I'm sure you will be going on to achieve great things in your next role.
Good luck, my friend, and keep in touch.
Sir Nicholas Young
previous Chief Executive, British Red Cross
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Since the time we met at the first National Emergency Communications meeting it has been a real privilege to work with you. In my role within police air support there was a real team ethos with an implicit trust in colleagues who in addition were friends. In working with you both within the NEC and since taking up my post at UKO I have felt exactly that in all the contact that I have had with you.
National Communications Manager
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
I was delighted to have the opportunity to work for a magnificent institution but particularly chuffed to work for someone that I have great admiration for as a "Can do", inspirational leader. You have left a significant legacy and hope that I can play my small part in continuing with and building upon the base that you have created.
Team Member
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
We in the media team always found you one of the most reliable, approachable, helpful, pro-active and downright inspiring people we had the pleasure of working with in the organisation.From the work battling through winter snows to the BRC response to the Cumbria floods, the Red Cross efforts would not have received the much deserved public recognition the media coverage of your team's work brought, without your leadership and engagement.
On a more personal note, I found coming up last year to visit you in Inverness hugely valuable and regret that I wasn't able to pick up with you again this year on the challenges ahead you will be sorely missed.
Media Manager
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
It will be difficult to rebuild the same relationship that the school and its pupils have enjoyed with the Red Cross without your imaginative and inspiring partnership. Our senior pupils have benefited enormously from the opportunities you have allowed them for personal development and all the rest have enjoyed learning about the scope of your work. As a school we certainly appreciate and understand what the Red Cross is all about as a result of your educational endeavours.
I am sure my feelings will be shared in many other institutions and communities across the North of Scotland – and further afield from what I hear of your many and varied contributions. We wish you every success in whatever sphere it may be into which your talents are being transferred.
Rector, Local Academy
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
You have been nothing but a gentleman to me any time we have met or I have had the pleasure of being in your company, I know you would bend over backwards to help someone if you could.
You have changed my life forever by allowing me to become part of your team, by providing the training and support required to allow me to be in a position to save another person’s life, I do not think there is anything better feeling in life, than to be able to assist in reviving a casualty and bringing them back to their family. Also I want to thank you for the support you gave me when we could not revive a casualty after I had retrieved him from the water and that memory will be with me forever but your support after the event was fantastic and very much appreciated.
I think it goes without saying the family members of the people your work touched would also want to say a big thank, you as even recovering those who have drowned brings closure to the family and can bring a loved one home.
The events of the GNS will be with me forever in a positive way, I have taken no negatives from that weekend and thank you for allowing me to be in that position of responsibility.
There is no doubt in my mind, and I think I can speak for the team who turn up regularly for events and training, that you have been more than inspirational and I know from the core guys I have spoken to that they are heart broken and disappointed that you are leaving us.
I would also say that never in all the works we have done I have ever felt in any danger with you leading the crew and as you know I was always happy to enter any situation as long as you were comfortable with the situation and with that I would put my life in your hands if you thought it was safe and the rescue required it.
I hope you can move onto something equally as fulfilling and keep doing this kind of work, as working alongside you was always a pleasure even when the going got pretty tough, I know you will be missed massively by the dedicated team that you leave behind. Thanks again for everything.
Team Member
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
I have thoroughly enjoyed working with you, it has been challenging, stretching and most of all fun and I am going to miss having the support, dependability and friendship from the north of Scotland. The joint working that we have achieved has been a milestone, and when I look back to the way that our Areas used to operate there have been huge steps forward. The big events that we have been engaged in, the responses and the ease with which our respective staff and volunteers developed good working relationships is something that I have valued hugely and I will try to ensure that it is not lost.
Colleague
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
I know that you have worked very hard for the Red Cross and all at MMB agree that you are a lovely, level headed, sensible guy who it has been our pleasure to deal with. I personally feel very sad that you are going and it is the Red Cross’ loss. You will be missed.
Whoever you work for next will be a lucky company.
Emergency Vehicle Builders
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Would like to say thank you for all you have done for me and the Red Cross.
I personally feel I am not only losing a superb boss but a good friend. thank you for all you have done.
Youth Volunteer
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
I have learned skills and been to places that I could not have envisaged prior to joining the Red Cross. I am wholly certain that your vision and intent for the Red Cross has been at the root of the opportunities I have had and the skills I have gained. Thank you for that.
I have found you a fair and clear manager and have always experienced that you did as you said you would do, across events, training and all aspects of my contact with you in the Red Cross. I have especially appreciated your consistent support and encouragement of my participation in the emergency response role of the Red Cross. You have been always aware of the tension between family, work and volunteering and have shown insight and awareness of my particular situation.
I have asked for advice and direction on more numerous occasions than I can recall and you have not failed to proffer both.
On a far wider stage, I am most grateful for your willingness to involve pupils of the Academy in wide-ranging emergency response exercises. The educational benefits and thorough enjoyment that my students gained from these experiences can not be overstated. Your ready participation and support of fundraising events in the life of the school must also be noted, along with the fact that we have not held anything comparable, before or after these occasions. They were – and continue to be – a talking point and yardstick of highlights in the life of this school.
On a personal level, I have been consistently secure in the understanding that you had my back, in the various situations I found myself as a volunteer for the Red Cross. I have not once doubted that I had the unstinting support of the managers handling me – of whom you were the lead.
I have a clear impression of what you have achieved. I joined the Red Cross over seven years ago and have seen the organisation radically transformed, the change in direction and the extraordinary provision.
The scope and amount of equipment and knowledge that the Red Cross now fields in this area is impressive. We have up-to-date full specification equipment, we have a deployment capability and we have participated in exercises of – in my experience – considerable magnitude. In my humble opinion your particular vision and drive has conceived and brought these things to fruition
Volunteer & Depute Rector
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
You will be a tremendous loss to the British Red Cross with your creativity, professionalism and enthusiasm; you have been an inspiration for and appreciated by many colleagues. You will be missed.
Director- British Red Cross
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
The fact that BRC are now a vital integrated element of emergency response in the Highlands & Islands is down in a major part to your vision, determination and drive. One of the benefits of being in post for so long is that one can see the significant steps forward taken on a multi-agency basis and the greater use made of capabilities provided by the voluntary sector, which we now very much rely on.
Police Inspector- Police Scotland
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
I just wanted to say it has been an absolute pleasure and a privilege working with you. I do hope you are so very proud of all that you have achieved in Scotland and indeed what you achieved in England during the numerous emergencies you and your team responded to. I also believe that you epitomised the values the BRC stands for and did indeed save and change numerous lives. You will be very sadly missed and I know the BRC will be a less dynamic and courageous organisation without you.
Director - British Red Cross
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
In your eight and a half years as Operations Director you have achieved many changes, improvements and innovative initiatives. The spirit of Saving Lives, Changing Lives has been demonstrated in Northern Scotland throughout that time. What you and your team have done has been an inspiration and has made a considerable difference.
Trustee – British Red Cross
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
We have appreciated our working relationship over the years in the development on technical garments for the Red Cross, your passion for getting things done correctly was a major influence on the results. It has to be said that it was always more than just a work related relationship.
PPE Supplier
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Not only are you a nice bloke, but you've made a real impact over the past eight years and - from a comms and media point of view - have been worth your weight in gold.
Media Editor
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Over the last 13 years, I have worked closely with Ian Rideout in developing and delivering pre-hospital emergency services for remote and rural communities. I have great pleasure in providing a professional and character reference.
First, to explain my own professional involvement with Ian - I met him in 2003 when Ian became fulltime Operations Director of the British Red Cross in Northern Scotland. (For 10 years up until 2007, I was a GP Principal and Partner at Fortrose Medical Practice, Ross-shire, a BASICS Doctor and leading activist in the North of Scotland for the development and delivery of pre-hospital immediate medical care.)
I can say with confidence that it was Ian’s vision, leadership, hard work, networking, strategic management skills, and his technical experience in crisis management from the aviation industry which ensured that the Red Cross became a highly respected and reliable provider of emergency response services in Scotland, as an auxiliary to the statutory services. My opinion of Ian stated here, was endorsed by leaders at the time in the Scottish Ambulance Service, the Emergency Departments at Raigmore Hospital and Belford Hospital, the five NHS Trusts, in the Police Service, Fire & Rescue Services, HM Coastguard, Local Authorities and in BASICS-Scotland.
With his mix of personable attentiveness, intelligence, pragmatism (coming from significant experience) and inclusivity, Ian had a knack of getting things done – from fundraising and astute spending of funds, to building up a dedicated and well-trained team of volunteers, to establishing and running multi-agency major incident exercises in remote terrain , along the coast or inshore waters. With Ian at the helm - and he did deploy many response vessels to major flooding incidents across Scotland, Gloucester (2007) and Cockermouth (2009), ably supporting the national ambulance service, the RAF, HM Coastguard and RNLI through having the best craft for the job - Red Cross in its Northern Scotland grew into being a highly trained and frequently deployed service on whom state-funded Cat 1 responders increasingly relied.
At major public events across Scotland, Ian’s public service-focused orientation, his gift in working with others, his emphasis on safety and innovation, and his expertise managing projects and delivering were apparent to all. I and other leading BASICS doctors who worked alongside Red Cross personnel in their mobile field hospital, were constantly impressed not only with the clinical standards but the faultless organization and deployment of resources. At some major events the field hospitals could treat up to 500 casualties who would otherwise have been transferred some distances to the nearest NHS A&E unit.
Having served on Mountain Rescue teams and representing SAR in Scotland on National committees, Ian has a sound understanding of UK Search & Rescue. Specifically, in recent years, he has led the way in the development of inland water SAR techniques and as a civilian search manager advised Police Forces across Scotland.
I have witnessed Ian as having excellent pre-hospital care skills, pioneering the use of simulation exercises to encourage others to develop their own pre-hospital care capabilities. He has put his clinical and organization skills to good use on a larger scale, also, as a major incident medical management and support (MIMMS) Provider and Member of the Faculty of Pre-Hospital Care. Ian frequently impressed me with his tactical command of the Red Cross at major incidents across the UK, actual & exercised. Reported by the Red Cross in 2011, its emergency response teams under Ian’s command attended to over 450 requests from Cat 1 responders, including major flooding, inland water MISPER searches, accessing vulnerable people in severe weather and other major incidents. The teams were credited with saving over 60 lives in just one year, for which Ian, as their leader, should be singularly commended.
During my time working in Scotland and in subsequent years when working for the FCO though still living up north, I saw a complete transformation in the Red Cross capabilities in its Northern Scotland area. Indeed this change was used as a catalyst for the whole of the UK, with Ian Rideout being credited for its achievement.
On a personal level, Ian’s character has hallmark qualities: trustworthiness, cheerfulness, personal integrity, positivity; self-discipline; and reliability. I highly recommend Ian Rideout to any employer seeking a strong and well-informed leader who will understand the organisation’s mission and its people.
Dr David Gaskell MBChB (Edin) MCS DRCOG DipCS FRACGP MRCGP
Emergency Doctor - New South Wales
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Ian joined Outfit Moray in September 2014 as our first full time Chief Executive Officer. He brought very significant experience from the third sector and quickly got to grips with the challenges facing the project. One of the first tasks he undertook was to review the governance documents. The refreshed and renewed memorandum and articles of association now enable us to not just to focus on young people but on families and communities within a wider geographical area.
Following a comprehensive review of operations and activities, Ian presented a 5 year strategy focused on moving the project towards a more sustainable future. The strategy was visionary, creative and imaginative as well as challenging. He engaged members of the team and sought their views as to how the charity could develop and what new services and activities could be offered.
Ian’s business planning skills are excellent and he is very competent at undertaking the necessary detailed research and financial planning. Ian introduced the annual business planning process which has enabled the Board to see clearly the direction of the project and ways in which progress can be monitored and evaluated.
Ian introduced a new financial management system that will allow more accurate and relevant reporting on a wide range of elements. Ian also worked very closely with our fundraiser and set a clear path and targets for specific areas of work with disadvantaged young people, families and communities.
Having a very broad knowledge of business, a wide range of contacts and networks within the third and public sectors, Ian was able to negotiate a unique arrangement with a local landowner that provides the project with the potential for a new outdoor learning centre and a long term future.
Ian established several new services, in particular, respite weeks for disadvantaged children and provision of first aid and technical support to community and sporting events. He has led these activities very well to the point at which the team of staff and volunteers can drive these initiatives forward. His network of contacts has proved to be invaluable in this regard. He took a leading role in many events, allocated tasks and led the team well in a supportive, calm and reassuring manner.
Although Ian has not been with Outfit Moray for long, he unquestionably showed a huge commitment and always put the project first. He has a real passion for the voluntary sector and how it can make a difference to the lives of others. He has left a strong legacy and provided opportunities on which the project can build.
Iain Jamieson- Former Chair, Outfit Moray
He built strong partnerships with external organisations, and his stakeholder management is exceptional. He was instrumental in developing an emergency response capability in Northern Scotland which is both highly respected and contributed to the saving of many lives. He also significantly influenced the development of the Red Cross emergency response capability across the whole of the UK and beyond.
As an inspirational leader, he has built very successful teams and developed significant contract income both in the provision of event medical and first aid services and in community health and social care.
Comfortable in representing the Red Cross across all media, Ian has led the Red Cross response to a number of high profile national incidents.
Ian was enormously respected by his colleagues and senior directors alike, he will be sadly missed
It has been a pleasure to work with you over the years, and I really do thank you for all you have achieved, and for your personal support. You have been a real pioneer, and I'm sure you will be going on to achieve great things in your next role.
Good luck, my friend, and keep in touch.
Sir Nicholas Young
previous Chief Executive, British Red Cross
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Since the time we met at the first National Emergency Communications meeting it has been a real privilege to work with you. In my role within police air support there was a real team ethos with an implicit trust in colleagues who in addition were friends. In working with you both within the NEC and since taking up my post at UKO I have felt exactly that in all the contact that I have had with you.
National Communications Manager
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
I was delighted to have the opportunity to work for a magnificent institution but particularly chuffed to work for someone that I have great admiration for as a "Can do", inspirational leader. You have left a significant legacy and hope that I can play my small part in continuing with and building upon the base that you have created.
Team Member
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
We in the media team always found you one of the most reliable, approachable, helpful, pro-active and downright inspiring people we had the pleasure of working with in the organisation.From the work battling through winter snows to the BRC response to the Cumbria floods, the Red Cross efforts would not have received the much deserved public recognition the media coverage of your team's work brought, without your leadership and engagement.
On a more personal note, I found coming up last year to visit you in Inverness hugely valuable and regret that I wasn't able to pick up with you again this year on the challenges ahead you will be sorely missed.
Media Manager
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
It will be difficult to rebuild the same relationship that the school and its pupils have enjoyed with the Red Cross without your imaginative and inspiring partnership. Our senior pupils have benefited enormously from the opportunities you have allowed them for personal development and all the rest have enjoyed learning about the scope of your work. As a school we certainly appreciate and understand what the Red Cross is all about as a result of your educational endeavours.
I am sure my feelings will be shared in many other institutions and communities across the North of Scotland – and further afield from what I hear of your many and varied contributions. We wish you every success in whatever sphere it may be into which your talents are being transferred.
Rector, Local Academy
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
You have been nothing but a gentleman to me any time we have met or I have had the pleasure of being in your company, I know you would bend over backwards to help someone if you could.
You have changed my life forever by allowing me to become part of your team, by providing the training and support required to allow me to be in a position to save another person’s life, I do not think there is anything better feeling in life, than to be able to assist in reviving a casualty and bringing them back to their family. Also I want to thank you for the support you gave me when we could not revive a casualty after I had retrieved him from the water and that memory will be with me forever but your support after the event was fantastic and very much appreciated.
I think it goes without saying the family members of the people your work touched would also want to say a big thank, you as even recovering those who have drowned brings closure to the family and can bring a loved one home.
The events of the GNS will be with me forever in a positive way, I have taken no negatives from that weekend and thank you for allowing me to be in that position of responsibility.
There is no doubt in my mind, and I think I can speak for the team who turn up regularly for events and training, that you have been more than inspirational and I know from the core guys I have spoken to that they are heart broken and disappointed that you are leaving us.
I would also say that never in all the works we have done I have ever felt in any danger with you leading the crew and as you know I was always happy to enter any situation as long as you were comfortable with the situation and with that I would put my life in your hands if you thought it was safe and the rescue required it.
I hope you can move onto something equally as fulfilling and keep doing this kind of work, as working alongside you was always a pleasure even when the going got pretty tough, I know you will be missed massively by the dedicated team that you leave behind. Thanks again for everything.
Team Member
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
I have thoroughly enjoyed working with you, it has been challenging, stretching and most of all fun and I am going to miss having the support, dependability and friendship from the north of Scotland. The joint working that we have achieved has been a milestone, and when I look back to the way that our Areas used to operate there have been huge steps forward. The big events that we have been engaged in, the responses and the ease with which our respective staff and volunteers developed good working relationships is something that I have valued hugely and I will try to ensure that it is not lost.
Colleague
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
I know that you have worked very hard for the Red Cross and all at MMB agree that you are a lovely, level headed, sensible guy who it has been our pleasure to deal with. I personally feel very sad that you are going and it is the Red Cross’ loss. You will be missed.
Whoever you work for next will be a lucky company.
Emergency Vehicle Builders
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Would like to say thank you for all you have done for me and the Red Cross.
I personally feel I am not only losing a superb boss but a good friend. thank you for all you have done.
Youth Volunteer
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
I have learned skills and been to places that I could not have envisaged prior to joining the Red Cross. I am wholly certain that your vision and intent for the Red Cross has been at the root of the opportunities I have had and the skills I have gained. Thank you for that.
I have found you a fair and clear manager and have always experienced that you did as you said you would do, across events, training and all aspects of my contact with you in the Red Cross. I have especially appreciated your consistent support and encouragement of my participation in the emergency response role of the Red Cross. You have been always aware of the tension between family, work and volunteering and have shown insight and awareness of my particular situation.
I have asked for advice and direction on more numerous occasions than I can recall and you have not failed to proffer both.
On a far wider stage, I am most grateful for your willingness to involve pupils of the Academy in wide-ranging emergency response exercises. The educational benefits and thorough enjoyment that my students gained from these experiences can not be overstated. Your ready participation and support of fundraising events in the life of the school must also be noted, along with the fact that we have not held anything comparable, before or after these occasions. They were – and continue to be – a talking point and yardstick of highlights in the life of this school.
On a personal level, I have been consistently secure in the understanding that you had my back, in the various situations I found myself as a volunteer for the Red Cross. I have not once doubted that I had the unstinting support of the managers handling me – of whom you were the lead.
I have a clear impression of what you have achieved. I joined the Red Cross over seven years ago and have seen the organisation radically transformed, the change in direction and the extraordinary provision.
The scope and amount of equipment and knowledge that the Red Cross now fields in this area is impressive. We have up-to-date full specification equipment, we have a deployment capability and we have participated in exercises of – in my experience – considerable magnitude. In my humble opinion your particular vision and drive has conceived and brought these things to fruition
Volunteer & Depute Rector
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
You will be a tremendous loss to the British Red Cross with your creativity, professionalism and enthusiasm; you have been an inspiration for and appreciated by many colleagues. You will be missed.
Director- British Red Cross
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
The fact that BRC are now a vital integrated element of emergency response in the Highlands & Islands is down in a major part to your vision, determination and drive. One of the benefits of being in post for so long is that one can see the significant steps forward taken on a multi-agency basis and the greater use made of capabilities provided by the voluntary sector, which we now very much rely on.
Police Inspector- Police Scotland
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
I just wanted to say it has been an absolute pleasure and a privilege working with you. I do hope you are so very proud of all that you have achieved in Scotland and indeed what you achieved in England during the numerous emergencies you and your team responded to. I also believe that you epitomised the values the BRC stands for and did indeed save and change numerous lives. You will be very sadly missed and I know the BRC will be a less dynamic and courageous organisation without you.
Director - British Red Cross
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
In your eight and a half years as Operations Director you have achieved many changes, improvements and innovative initiatives. The spirit of Saving Lives, Changing Lives has been demonstrated in Northern Scotland throughout that time. What you and your team have done has been an inspiration and has made a considerable difference.
Trustee – British Red Cross
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
We have appreciated our working relationship over the years in the development on technical garments for the Red Cross, your passion for getting things done correctly was a major influence on the results. It has to be said that it was always more than just a work related relationship.
PPE Supplier
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Not only are you a nice bloke, but you've made a real impact over the past eight years and - from a comms and media point of view - have been worth your weight in gold.
Media Editor
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Over the last 13 years, I have worked closely with Ian Rideout in developing and delivering pre-hospital emergency services for remote and rural communities. I have great pleasure in providing a professional and character reference.
First, to explain my own professional involvement with Ian - I met him in 2003 when Ian became fulltime Operations Director of the British Red Cross in Northern Scotland. (For 10 years up until 2007, I was a GP Principal and Partner at Fortrose Medical Practice, Ross-shire, a BASICS Doctor and leading activist in the North of Scotland for the development and delivery of pre-hospital immediate medical care.)
I can say with confidence that it was Ian’s vision, leadership, hard work, networking, strategic management skills, and his technical experience in crisis management from the aviation industry which ensured that the Red Cross became a highly respected and reliable provider of emergency response services in Scotland, as an auxiliary to the statutory services. My opinion of Ian stated here, was endorsed by leaders at the time in the Scottish Ambulance Service, the Emergency Departments at Raigmore Hospital and Belford Hospital, the five NHS Trusts, in the Police Service, Fire & Rescue Services, HM Coastguard, Local Authorities and in BASICS-Scotland.
With his mix of personable attentiveness, intelligence, pragmatism (coming from significant experience) and inclusivity, Ian had a knack of getting things done – from fundraising and astute spending of funds, to building up a dedicated and well-trained team of volunteers, to establishing and running multi-agency major incident exercises in remote terrain , along the coast or inshore waters. With Ian at the helm - and he did deploy many response vessels to major flooding incidents across Scotland, Gloucester (2007) and Cockermouth (2009), ably supporting the national ambulance service, the RAF, HM Coastguard and RNLI through having the best craft for the job - Red Cross in its Northern Scotland grew into being a highly trained and frequently deployed service on whom state-funded Cat 1 responders increasingly relied.
At major public events across Scotland, Ian’s public service-focused orientation, his gift in working with others, his emphasis on safety and innovation, and his expertise managing projects and delivering were apparent to all. I and other leading BASICS doctors who worked alongside Red Cross personnel in their mobile field hospital, were constantly impressed not only with the clinical standards but the faultless organization and deployment of resources. At some major events the field hospitals could treat up to 500 casualties who would otherwise have been transferred some distances to the nearest NHS A&E unit.
Having served on Mountain Rescue teams and representing SAR in Scotland on National committees, Ian has a sound understanding of UK Search & Rescue. Specifically, in recent years, he has led the way in the development of inland water SAR techniques and as a civilian search manager advised Police Forces across Scotland.
I have witnessed Ian as having excellent pre-hospital care skills, pioneering the use of simulation exercises to encourage others to develop their own pre-hospital care capabilities. He has put his clinical and organization skills to good use on a larger scale, also, as a major incident medical management and support (MIMMS) Provider and Member of the Faculty of Pre-Hospital Care. Ian frequently impressed me with his tactical command of the Red Cross at major incidents across the UK, actual & exercised. Reported by the Red Cross in 2011, its emergency response teams under Ian’s command attended to over 450 requests from Cat 1 responders, including major flooding, inland water MISPER searches, accessing vulnerable people in severe weather and other major incidents. The teams were credited with saving over 60 lives in just one year, for which Ian, as their leader, should be singularly commended.
During my time working in Scotland and in subsequent years when working for the FCO though still living up north, I saw a complete transformation in the Red Cross capabilities in its Northern Scotland area. Indeed this change was used as a catalyst for the whole of the UK, with Ian Rideout being credited for its achievement.
On a personal level, Ian’s character has hallmark qualities: trustworthiness, cheerfulness, personal integrity, positivity; self-discipline; and reliability. I highly recommend Ian Rideout to any employer seeking a strong and well-informed leader who will understand the organisation’s mission and its people.
Dr David Gaskell MBChB (Edin) MCS DRCOG DipCS FRACGP MRCGP
Emergency Doctor - New South Wales
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Ian joined Outfit Moray in September 2014 as our first full time Chief Executive Officer. He brought very significant experience from the third sector and quickly got to grips with the challenges facing the project. One of the first tasks he undertook was to review the governance documents. The refreshed and renewed memorandum and articles of association now enable us to not just to focus on young people but on families and communities within a wider geographical area.
Following a comprehensive review of operations and activities, Ian presented a 5 year strategy focused on moving the project towards a more sustainable future. The strategy was visionary, creative and imaginative as well as challenging. He engaged members of the team and sought their views as to how the charity could develop and what new services and activities could be offered.
Ian’s business planning skills are excellent and he is very competent at undertaking the necessary detailed research and financial planning. Ian introduced the annual business planning process which has enabled the Board to see clearly the direction of the project and ways in which progress can be monitored and evaluated.
Ian introduced a new financial management system that will allow more accurate and relevant reporting on a wide range of elements. Ian also worked very closely with our fundraiser and set a clear path and targets for specific areas of work with disadvantaged young people, families and communities.
Having a very broad knowledge of business, a wide range of contacts and networks within the third and public sectors, Ian was able to negotiate a unique arrangement with a local landowner that provides the project with the potential for a new outdoor learning centre and a long term future.
Ian established several new services, in particular, respite weeks for disadvantaged children and provision of first aid and technical support to community and sporting events. He has led these activities very well to the point at which the team of staff and volunteers can drive these initiatives forward. His network of contacts has proved to be invaluable in this regard. He took a leading role in many events, allocated tasks and led the team well in a supportive, calm and reassuring manner.
Although Ian has not been with Outfit Moray for long, he unquestionably showed a huge commitment and always put the project first. He has a real passion for the voluntary sector and how it can make a difference to the lives of others. He has left a strong legacy and provided opportunities on which the project can build.
Iain Jamieson- Former Chair, Outfit Moray