Speaker Mr Jim McCulloh - Job Talk

On Thursday 26th February, the Rotary Club of South Queensferry enjoyed a job talk by Jim McCulloch, a new member. Resident in Queensferry for over thirty years, Jim spent much of his working life as a training manager for Hewlett Packard, finishing as world-wide manager for the core-curriculum training programme of Agilent Technologies - one of Hewlett Packard's successor companies and a major employer in Queensferry until the factory closed in 2010. In an amusing and informative talk, which gave an insight to the ever-changing structures and 'philosophies' within a major international company, Jim told the tale of how, in the early sixties, on the way to Glenrothes where they hoped to build a factory, Mr Hewlett and Mr Packard suffered a choppy crossing on the ferry followed by a car breakdown in Fife. The decision was made immediately to site the factory south of the river as transport to Fife was considered too unreliable. As a lifelong trainer, Jim involved the audience in his presentation and it was amazing how many members had connections with 'HP' either directly or through family and friends. The company's relocation was a great loss to Queensferry and people fondly remember its sense of social responsibility and 'The HP Way' - which stressed trust, respect, teamwork and integrity.

Jim McCulloch was introduced by Craig MacKenzie. The vote of thanks was proposed by Ian Fowler.