David Butler

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I am proud to be the only disabled driver worldwide to have qualified for both an International Race and an International Rally Licence. Have competed in over 600 motorsport events, including 110 races plus British and World Championship rallies.

  

I am Chairman of the British Motor Sports Association for the Disabled and have, for more than ten years, attended the Medical Panel of the Motor Sports Association, who are the governing body for motorsport in the UK, representing all disabled drivers who wish to participate in motorsport.

 

Still the youngest ever subject of This is your Life programme at the age of 17, televised on BBC on 5th March 1962.

 

I added narrative to a BBC TV film about the first disabled race driver - Archie Scott-Brown - while competing and crashing at Brands Hatch in a seven car pile up!

 

I have been a conference speaker for Xerox and IBM and have taken part in numerous radio programmes about disability issues - Womans Hour, Start the Week, Does he take sugar? etc.

 

I am a Chartered Accountant by profession but please don`t hold that against me, I have a great sense of humour and have worked in industry for over 30 years. I now work for myself and as an Associate Consultant with Team International

 

BUSINESS CAREER OVERVIEW

 

Qualification Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants

 

Rank Xerox Limited

1971 to 1984 Receivables Manager, Payroll Manager, Product Manager,

Marketing Manager, National Systems Sales Manager 1981 to 1984 Director

International Systems Business Division

Manpower in excess of 5,000 Revenue $750 million plus

 

Artificial Intelligence Limited
1984 to 1991 Managing Director
Joint Venture created with Rank Xerox, conceived with the objective of creating a market for Xerox AI software through out Europe – mainly military and communications usage.

Independent Business Consultant

1991 to date – significant activities during the period 

 

• Non Executive services and Consulting for a wide range of clients in the UK, Europe and the Middle East

• Chairman of an entertainment company – created “Albie” cartoon series for Granada / ITV – BAFTA nomination

• Director and Chairman of an internet services company

• Consultant to the Board of two software companies, a major UK training business, an international manufacturer and a national motor insurance company

• Non executive role - guided a UK software company to a £16m public flotation over five year period

• Re-organised sales and marketing resources in two national leasing and finance companies

• Project Director - Tool Makers and Injection Moulding - Damascus, Syria

 

Consultancy Services

 

• Crisis management and Fire fighting

• Conflict resolution

• Creating Strategic Business and Marketing Plans 

• New Business acquisitions and investigations

• Organising sales channels, structures, remuneration and motivational schemes

• Designing Share Option schemes
*      Recruiting senior Managers and Directors

• Mentoring newly promoted Directors / Managers

 

Personal Points of Interest

 

In 1955 at the age of eleven David found an unexploded mortar bomb on National Trust land near Dunstable Downs, a farmer had plough up the bomb which had then been placed on a gate post. Being a curious youngster he picked it up only to find it was heavy so he dropped it. The explosion was heard 7 miles away and dug a huge crater. David lost his left leg below the knee, his right leg above the knee and his left hand through the wrist (he was left handed!). He spent the next two and half years in various hospitals.

 

• 1961 Youngest ever subject of “This Your Life” TV Programme with guests including Douglas Bader (legless war time fighter ace), Bobby Smith (football), Ted Dexter              (cricket), Tony Brooks (motor racing) Freddie Mills (boxing).

• The only disabled driver world-wide to hold both a full International Race and a full International Rally Licence

• Set up the original assessment centres for disabled drivers to gain licences

• Held the Sports car class lap record at two British race circuits, competed in 110 races and over 600 competitive motoring events

• Competed in the RAC World Championship Rally of Great Britain four times, gained class win on the Historic RAC Rally in 1997

• Built own house and an award winning Hotel

• Chairman of the British Motorsport Association for the Disabled and a member of the MSA Medical Panel

 

I have my own website at http://www.david butler.co.uk