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Trevor - behind the expertise

Putting aside the testimonials and focusing instead on what shaped Trevor, to what extent has his acquired knowledge of careers and earnings, applied to expert testimony, become a major force to be reckoned within the area of personal injury litigation and specifically the work of the employment consultant ?

Trevor entered the recruitment industry in 1968 and launched his first business in 1972.  Since that time his organisation has delivered valid and sustainable solutions to clients in the private and public sectors throughout the U.K. including such prestige names as No 10 Downing Street, the Palace of Westminster, Buckingham Palace, BBC, ITN, HM Treasury, Shell, most of the City banking and legal fraternities, and insurance giants Aviva and Legal & General. As may be seen from his curriculum vitae he has interviewed many thousands of people of widely varying occupational backgrounds.

Those are the foundation stones, but there is more to being an expert witness than having experience in a particular field, especially employment where the subject matter is people. So what makes Trevor tick, what drives him, how does he consistently deliver that which is required of him ?  What inspires him ?

Without question, people, for without a person at the centre of a claim there would be no claim.  It is vital to recognise how important it is to respect the dignity of the injured person as otherwise there can be no truthful conclusion.  Trevor is well known for his sensitive approach to interviewingclaimants as he has a profound understanding of how much their life haschanged.    

The pursuit of excellence has always driven Trevor in every aspect of his work as he sees no point in providing a service that is second-rate. He is constantly seeking improvement and relishes managing change.

The consistent delivery of fair and reasoned, yet robust expert reporting naturally follows the pursuit of excellence.  It determines the shape and content of not only a report, but the daily research carried out behind the scenes. Constantly measuring service delivery, appraising himself of latest recruitment and employment trends and obtaining frequent feedback from clients allows a continuous circle of improvement - the kaizen principle.

As to inspiration, throughout his life at work and play there is one thing to which he turns time and again, a book titled 'Kodo, Ancient Ways', by the late, great Reverend Kensho Furyura where Trevor can  usually find something which provides him with an enlightening solution or is profoundly thought-provoking.    

For those in the know, or who wish to delve, it will come as no surprise to learn Trevor has been involved in the martial arts for many years. The following is a comment by one of Trevor's sensei which has a particular resonance to his work and may offer a small insight as to why he has been able to play such a significant role in the litigation process and especially his ability to connect with claimants:

 "I have known Trevor for several decades, firstly as a student and nowadays as a friend and fellow teacher.  This man is a well kept secret.  He has the most astounding ability to read people and especially in situations that require good conflict management skills.  His situational awareness is of the highest level and he is also a Hara-gei adept ".  *    Jon Alexander, 9th Dan Zenshin Goju Kai.

 

* (For anyone who may be interested) Hara-gei  may loosely be described as sixth sense. In Japan, hara-gei means the act of influencing others without words or actions. To the Japanese it infers far more - backbone, heart, mind, guts. And it is the source of breath and hence spirit, similar to the Greek concept of psyche.  The profundity of hara can be appreciated when you know the Japanese consider it of greater significance than either the mind or the heart.

Hara = belly. As the English expression 'gut feeling' shows, the belly is related to instinct. There is a spot called Dantian (pronounced 'tanden' in Japanese) slightly below the belly button. This word means the place wherein lies the elixir of life.

Gei is art. Therefore, hara-gei is the art of using hara in interpersonal communication. Haragei is the opposite of debate. It signifies a union of spirit, the harmony which true negotiation requires.

The Japanese don't really like to talk about it. To the Japanese, if you need to have hara-gei defined, it means you can't use it.