News
ROLE MODEL 53
News
BIOGRAPHY
UK BAME Role Model
PATRICK CLARKE
Current role
Patrick Clarke is the Director of Human Resources and
Communications for the Networks Branch of EDF Energy. Responsible for all aspects of HR and internal communications and importantly, responsible for the development of the people agenda within the branch and company.
Early years
Patrick was born in Jamaica,( Caribbean) and with his older brother came to live with his parents and other siblings in England at the age of 8 years old. He and his older brother were raised by his great aunt in Jamaica, whilst his parent left Jamaica for England soon after he was born in 1961.
Working as an Engineer & Manager
Patrick has held various technical and managerial positions in EDF Energy and all its’ former companies( including LEB). These positions ranged from an Electrical Engineer during the 1980’ s to various senior managers role from 1990. Since 1990 Patrick decided that a managerial / leadership career was more appropriate to his skills and personal ambitions. He decided to pursue a more general management qualification route, rather than higher level technical qualification.
MBA with distinction( majored in motivation of people) Post Experience Diploma in Management
Diploma in Management studies HNC Electrical Distribution Engineering
Community work
Patrick has placed a strong emphasis on community investment for over two decades. For the past six years he has been Director and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of a charity in the deprived area of Elephant and Castle, South East London.
Since 1984 he has held a number of major roles within his community including:
• Special Police Constable( Joined in response to Brixton riots in 1984).
• Vice-chair of the panel of lay visitors to Lambeth police station.
• Director / Trustee and treasurer to a Local housing association.
• Many school governorships.
• Many presentations to school children to inspire them and show them that it is never too late to develop and be successful.
• Currently with EDF Energy where he is sits on the company’ s Corporate Responsibility Strategy Group.
• Chairperson for Merlin( Minority Ethnic Role-Models for Learning & Inspiration.( Part of Business in the Community- BiTC).
Family
Patrick is 44 years of age and married to Sonji who is a Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist. They have three sons aged 11, 7 and 5 years old. Since leaving Jamaica, he has always lived in South London.
In 2002 Patrick was appointed to lead the unit responsible for“ keeping the lights on in London”. This role was consistent with many of his former roles, which involved leading large units of distributed technical employees.
SPRING ISSUE 2006 engage