ICG Board of Directors
Deirdre Hughes President Elected during the ICG Annual Conference 2009 in Blackpool. Until recently, Deirdre was Director at the International Centre for Guidance Studies (iCeGS) at the University of Derby; she is now working independently to help concentrate her efforts on the role of President of the ICG for 2009-2010 and to write a book focusing on building the UK evidence-base for careers work.
Over the last decade, Deirdre has been responsible for the strategic development of iCeGS' regional, national and international research and continuous professional development profile, working closely with strategic partners from a wide range of agencies throughout the UK. She has extensive experience of working at a senior level with politicians, government policy-makers, practitioners, senior managers and leaders within both the public and private sectors. Deirdre has written various academic and practitioner-orientated papers on a wide range of issues relating to career, transitions, progression pathways and gender issues.
Steve Higginbotham Vice President For 30 years, Steve has dedicated his working life to the practice, provision and promotion of professional career guidance services. He is a passionate advocate of professional career guidance and the need for its universal availability.
As the Chief Executive of Igen, he gained an important knowledge and experience, particularly in relation to lobbying service development, future positioning and presentation at the national level. His position as chair of Careers Scotland's 'Adult Task Force' has also proven to be asn invaluable experience for his involvement with the ICG. He has recognised the emerging public consensus for the need to improve careers IAG for people of all ages and a recognition of a growing need for professional impartial advice. He sees the ICG as being the leading authoritive voice of career guidance professionals, working on behalf of its members to influence future policy and practice and intends to see it recognised as the lead career guidance professional body in the UK.
Immediate Past President Vivienne Brown Vivienne Brown has responsibility for the strategy and development of career guidance services for people of all ages, in her role as Head of Career Guidance, since Careers Scotland's inception in 2001.
This includes building an evidence base for career guidance and improving the understanding, role and contribution of career guidance by policy-makers, partner organisations and individuals in Scotland and beyond. Previously, Vivienne was Chief Executive of Lanarkshire careers company, and has over 15 years of experience in a senior management and leadership role in career guidance. A short secondment to the Scottish Executive enabled Vivienne to contribute to the development and shape of Careers Scotland in 2000. This was followed up by a further secondment to Scottish Executive in 2005/06 to work on enterprise, social inclusion and educational developments.
Director Trevor Mason   Trevor Mason is the Chief Executive of Aspire-i Ltd and was appointed in May 2008. He has wide-ranging experience in both the public and private sector of developing and managing IAG, training and recruitment services as well as contributing to broader social and regeneration programmes.   Aspire-i is a social enterprise working primarily in the Bradford area and specialising in providing guidance and support services to individuals in the labour market.
Prior to taking up this role Trevor worked as Operations Director for a national care organisation and previously as Chief Executive of Lifetime South Yorkshire for some eight years. During this time he established the Company on behalf of its parent organisation, the specialist education provider Nord Anglia PLC, and led its growth and development into a successful business specialising in the provision of career development, employment and regeneration services.   As part of his role with Lifetime, Trevor also contributed to the Nord Anglia portfolio leading a number of strategic and business development projects, eventually moving to a new role in the parent company as Director of Nord Anglia Training and Recruitment. In past roles Trevor has also worked as a Director in a Training and Enterprise Council and as a Principal Careers Officer. His knowledge of developing and managing career development services is complemented by a sound understanding of the learning and skills sector, coupled with significant experience of working with regional and strategic development and funding bodies. He has held a number of senior representational and Board level roles including with Careers England, Connexions South Yorkshire, and the Yorkshire & Humberside Regional Association of Careers Services.
Director Karen O'Donoghue   Karen O'Donoghue has recently been appointed as Joint Chief Executive of Lancashire employment and careers organisations, CXL (a social business based in the North West) and Lancashire Education Business Partnership (a company with charitable status.  Karen was Managing Director of CXL from its inception and prior to that was Chief Executive of CareerLink (the careers service for Lancashire North and West) and Connexions Lancashire Ltd.
A qualified Careers Adviser, Karen has a long track record in the Careers, Connexions and Training & Education sectors and has overseen structural, strategic and cultural changes within the industry.   Karen has Board level experience in the voluntary, housing and training sectors including at chair and national level. She was a finalist in the Lancashire Business Woman of the Year Awards 2007, sponsored by Business Link, and won a Highly Commended award in the 2008 "Woman in Business" East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce Awards.
Honorary Secretary Monica I Lemecha Monica is an ICG past-President. Having trained as a careers adviser in 1974 she worked initially for Sunderland Careers Service before moving to Tameside in Greater Manchester.
Monica was promoted to Principal Careers Officer in 1982 and took on the role of Director of Business Development when Tameside Careers Service became part of Careers Partnership following privatisation in 1995.
Honorary Treasurer Michael Howard Michael started off as an Accountant in 1971, before joining the Careers Service two years later. In 1995 he became General Manager of Tyneside Careers Partnership and retired from the post of the Assistant Chief Executive of Connexions Tyne and Wear in 2005.
Michael has a BA in Economics and Accounting from Newcastle University and is a keen mountain walker, real tennis player and occasional Rhythm and Blues drummer and an even keener consumer of Italian food and wine. As well as being National Honorary Treasurer of the Institute since 1985, he is also a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Management and the Royal Society of Arts, whilst being a board member of several not-for-profit/ charitable organisations.  Michael holds a long-term vision that everyone should be able to access career guidance support so as to make informed and suitably supported decisions about their future. By this, individuals will maximise their potential and well-being while contributing to a successful economy and inclusive society.
To contact a member of the Board please email