Compliance & WW Compatibility Manager at Plantronics
Gloucester, United Kingdom
- Current
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- Compliance & WW Compatibility Manager at Plantronics Limited
- Past
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- Technical Consultant (Interim) at Sendo
- Regional Director - Asia (Interim) at Spectrum Consultants
- Managing Director at BABT Product Service Asia
- Managing Consultant at InterConnect Communications
- Technical Manager at Binatone
- Regulatory Approvals Engineer at Metrodata
- Assistant Chief Engineer at Audioline Limited
- Test Engineer at Global Telecommunication Laboratories Limited
- Research Technician at Austin Taylor Communications Limited
- Test Technician at ARG ElectroDesign Limited
- Laboratory Technician at Dellfield Digital Limited
- Education
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- The Open University
- The Open University
- University of Gloucestershire
- Recommended
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2 people have recommended Mark - Connections
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connections
- Industry
- Telecommunications
- Websites
Mark Lawson’s Summary
Over 20 years experience in the consumer electronics and telecommunications industry focusing on product development and regulatory affairs. I have a firm technical background with excellent commercial awareness and communication skills.
I have two bachelor degrees, a 2:1 BA (Hons) in Business Studies and a BSc in Design, Innovation & Environmental Sustainability.
A proficient leader with experience of business and strategic planning. I have a keen interest in the convergence of Telecommunications, Information Technology and Entertainment sectors.
Having lived both in the UK and in Hong Kong, I have acquired a very good understanding of cross cultural / functional business practices. Hard working with a tenacious character and an eye for detail.
I can speak some Chinese (Mandarin).
Mark Lawson’s Specialties:
Compliance Management, EU Directives and Standards, Technical Management, Strategy, Vendor Assessment & Outsoucing, Business Planning, Joint Ventures & Acquisitions, Software Project Management.
Mark Lawson’s Experience
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Compliance & WW Compatibility Manager
Plantronics Limited
(Public Company; PLT; Telecommunications industry)
August 2002 — Present (7 years 6 months)
I have overall responsibility for technical and environmental product compliance across the EMEA region. Dealing mainly with the Radio & Telecommunications Terminal Directive (R&TTE) but also involved with LVD, EMC, RoHS, WEEE, EuP, REACH and Battery EU directives.
My responsibility extends to EMC test laboratory operations in Europe and deployment of 2 new labs in China and Mexico. I was fundamental in the creation of the TCO’07 headsets voluntary certification scheme. Responsible for advising senior management of upcoming legislation, risks and contributing to the company’s compliance strategy, lobbying government where necessary.
In 2005 I acquired responsibility for delivering a World-Wide product compatibility infrastructure. I designed and project managed a major IT/software development, winning support from a wide range of internal customers across a variety of functions. The database is now fully deployed globally and provides data to a customer every 20 seconds. -
Technical Consultant (Interim)
Sendo
(Privately Held; Telecommunications industry)
October 2001 — August 2002 (11 months)
My role was diverse, supporting a number of departments in the development of GSM terminals on two major projects.
Initially responsible for researching the localisation requirements of the company’s products in a wide range of emerging markets (mainly in Asia). Assisting Software Engineering with the preparation of a suitable HMI, providing language support for collateral materials, deploying a new platform that realised significant cost reductions.
My second assignment was to research the regulatory compliance requirements for the company’s products in a number of key markets, writing requirement documents and establishing a comprehensive knowledge base. -
Regional Director - Asia (Interim)
Spectrum Consultants
(Privately Held; Staffing and Recruiting industry)
April 2001 — July 2001 (4 months)
This was an interim executive position to help the board of directors establish a base within Asia and start gaining market share of this lucrative new market. The product was providing GSM network planning solutions and interim engineering staff to the regions mobile network operators.
I located the regional headquarters in Singapore and researched the market opportunities. After three months I returned to the UK and presented the business plan, containing a comprehensive regional review, 3 year P&L projections and my recommended strategy to the board of directors. -
Managing Director
BABT Product Service Asia
(Telecommunications industry)
December 1999 — May 2001 (1 year 6 months)
This was a joint venture between the British Approvals Boad of Telecommunications and TUV Product Service. I had full autonomy and P&L responsibility for the ASEAN countries. My initial task was to develop and present a business plan to the board of the holding company. My plan was for a major expansion throughout Asia opening 7 new offices (6 shared with TUV) and raising headcount from 7 to around 50. The expansion was endorsed by the board.
In 2000 I opened Asia's first (and only) commercial DECT test laboratory in Taiwan using a strategic alliance with ETC. I also secured investment for development of a GSM test laboratory, currently located in Taiwan.
The company remained profitable throughout this period despite significant increases in personnel cost and capital investment. In 2001 TUV Product Service completed purchase of all the remaining shares in the joint venture. -
Managing Consultant
InterConnect Communications
(Privately Held; Telecommunications industry)
June 1999 — December 1999 (7 months)
Responsible for a multi-skilled team of consultants working on a diverse range of projects for customers world-wide. I was closely involved in monitoring profitability of turnkey projects, securing new business and developing quotations.
Active in researching industry trends, keeping one step ahead of the industry enabled the company to advise its clients of the likely trends thus improving their competitive advantage. -
Technical Manager
Binatone
(Privately Held; Consumer Electronics industry)
October 1997 — May 1999 (1 year 8 months)
Working closely with the Chairman & CEO I was responsible for delivering improvements to the companies product development process. The company was experiencing significant delays in its pipeline and a high rate of customer returns. I was asked to prepare a strategy to address these issues and then to move to Hong Kong to oversee their implementation.
The PDP was streamlined and a more efficient process put in place. I approached this task with a collaborative approach and quickly earned the respect of my colleagues. The project yielded a 32% increase in pipeline throughput.
The quality of the product was also improved, reducing the average return rate by over 5%. This saved an estimated £1.2m in the first year alone. -
Regulatory Approvals Engineer
Metrodata
(Public Company; Telecommunications industry)
November 1996 — October 1997 (1 year )
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Assistant Chief Engineer
Audioline Limited
(Telecommunications industry)
June 1993 — November 1996 (3 years 6 months)
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Test Engineer
Global Telecommunication Laboratories Limited
(Telecommunications industry)
February 1990 — June 1993 (3 years 5 months)
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Research Technician
Austin Taylor Communications Limited
(Telecommunications industry)
June 1989 — February 1990 (9 months)
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Test Technician
ARG ElectroDesign Limited
(Telecommunications industry)
September 1988 — June 1989 (10 months)
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Laboratory Technician
Dellfield Digital Limited
(Public Company; Telecommunications industry)
June 1986 — September 1988 (2 years 4 months)
Mark Lawson’s Education
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The Open University
BA (Hons) , Business Studies , 2004 — 2008
2:1 Honours
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The Open University
BSc , Design, Innovation & Environmental Sustainability , 2004 — 2007
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University of Gloucestershire
HNC , Electronics (Telecommunications) , 1988 — 1990
Additional Information
Mark Lawson’s Websites:
Mark Lawson’s Interests:
My hobbies and interests include photography, building computer systems, gliding, international travel, sailing, swimming and music.
