M.Sc., B.Sc., Dip. Ed.

Derek holds a Master of Science degree in chemistry from the University of Melbourne and a Bachelor of Science and Diploma of Education from La Trobe University.

After 12 years as a secondary teacher, Derek joined private industry in 1987 as an education consultant in information technology. With two other partners, he was a founding director of an IT company which, at its peak, generated more than $70 million in sales, with 13 locations in five states.

Over 20 years, his roles have included consultancies in education and  information technology, Quality Systems management and software development.

Derek has led sales, support and administrative teams, driven business growth, implemented Quality Standard ISO 9002, managed software development, including a significant software project for the Department of Education & Training and negotiated software contracts and delivered the products to companies in the UK, US, Netherlands and India.

Recently, Derek has been involved in project direction of online content management systems. These include projects with the Royal District Nursing Service and Cancer Trials Australia – a consortium of cancer research centres consisting of the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Ludwig Institute, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Austin Hospital and Western Hospital.

He has also managed web development projects for publicly listed companies involved in biomedical research – Metabolic Pharmaceuticals and Antisense Therapeutics.

Derek’s role with Assessments Australia is the management of major projects.