Planning for success - Tom says farewell

The man who brought army discipline to handling the finances of North Wales Police is about to retire.
When Tom O'Donnell became Director of Finance at Colwyn Bay, he never expected to stay so long or become so proud of the force's achievements.
When he leaves in April he knows that when he heads for a new life in France he will be leaving one of the top performing forces in the country.
"I did expect a certain level of commitment," he said. "But it has been a refreshing surprise to experience it day-in, day-out, for eleven years.
"I believe the investment in technology and the way we have changed our processes will mean we will continue to improve.
Given the enthusiasm of the officers and staff, that's inevitable."
Tom and his wife, Wendy, came to North Wales in 1996 after he retired, having reached the rank of Brigadier.
He put his experience to good use. It meant putting budgets back in the control of the senior officers in the field.
Tom's job grew to include care for staff, systems for managing information and the overall planning for the way the Force works.
"The planning I have introduced is based on classic army planning -- it's all about clear objectives, innovation, the determination to get resources back to the front line and the will to win."
From the Falklands to Kuwait
Born in Ormskirk, Tom's career has changed several times.
He started as an industrial chemist but turned to the Army and did several tours of duty in Northern Ireland and Germany before being posted to the Falklands with the 1st Battalion, Welsh Guards.
Six days before the war ended he was wounded on the Sir Galahad and spent a couple of months in hospital.
Having qualified as an accountant in the late 70s, Tom then went to work in the Ministry of Defence, where he completed a study on financial support in modern war.
This led him to the first Gulf War as a Commander controlling the cash for the whole campaign.
After the war he was posted to the British Army of the Rhine, as Commander of Finance responsible for 56,000 troops and their families.

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