Council and Administration

Mark Cooper, Chair

Mark joined the Institute when he was first trained as an Industrial Engineer in 1984, having completed the Diploma at Manchester and became a Fellow in 2011. Since joining the employ of Scott-Grant in 1990 he has been a committed advocate of productivity tools and techniques whilst supporting numerous clients in many sectors with a variety of projects and training. He has worked with numerous clients from SME’s with a handful of employees to multi-site, blue chip organisations, all having a common goal of improving productivity of their resources.

Mark began his career working in the clothing, footwear and home furnishing industries in 1978, starting in a junior management role within the warehouse function before progressing to a role within the IE department of Dorma – CVHF, before joining Scott-Grant, initially as a project Industrial Engineer assigned to a variety of client based projects.

Throughout the years, he has become known by many productivity and management professionals for his commitment to customer service and supporting the careers of those wishing to advance in the field of productivity and lean.

Richard Taylor, Director

Richard has been directly involved in or responsible for productivity for much of his working life.

After higher education in engineering, civil engineering and business he worked in manufacturing and international civil engineering in roles including Work Study Officer, Methods Engineer, Industrial Engineering Manager, Planning Manager and Works Manager. His focus on manufacturing continued in General Manager and Director positions.

Having joined Scott-Grant as Regional Operations Manager, he was appointed Managing Director in 1991 by the PLC, before leading a buyout with colleagues in 1996. He has operational involvement in delivering productivity and performance improvement across all business sectors, working with customers from almost 50 countries. Scott-Grant Ltd is also a long standing productivity trainer providing IMS-approved training across all sectors.

Stephen Percival, Director

In 1987 whilst working as an apprentice engineer at an electrical component manufacturer in Stockport, Stephen was offered the position of work study analyst as part of a busy work study department.

Since the practical training at John Evans in Birmingham and subsequent IMS diploma course at Manchester Polytechnic Stephen has held many positions in various companies throughout the UK. Early career roles required the practical application of time study to set standard times, batch production design and warehouse layout.

In the late nineties Stephen was offered a position with John Lewis and the thread of industrial engineering continued, primarily in the Distribution Centres (DCs). Stephen went on to manage teams within John Lewis and be an integral part of new automated DC designs working closely with Knapp. He then joined ASOS where DC efficiency was also key. Stephen was a lead on productivity improvement programmes working with Unipart who managed the online business.

Since his time at ASOS Stephen has been both self-employed and enjoyed leadership positions working for DHL Supply Chain and Sealed Aur. This has included leading on training programmes in lean and Six Sigma throughout Europe. Following a brief time with Unipart consultancy Stephen held a senior position with Scott-Grant Ltd. until April 2025.  He is now a self-employed Productivity Consultant, specialising in Lean and continuous improvement techniques. 

Tracy Cuthbertson, Director

Tracy has a deep-rooted commitment to productivity and operational excellence, joining the Institute in 1992 as a member and advancing to a Council management position in 2024. With a career spanning over three decades, Tracy has held leadership roles in a diverse range of sectors, from industrial engineering and logistics to public sector governance and community-focused projects. Her client-focused approach and expertise in Work study and applying Lean methodologies have driven impactful changes in operational processes and improved client outcomes.

Beginning her career in manufacturing, Tracy developed foundational expertise in process optimisation and continuous improvement, which she has applied in multiple industries. Her background includes significant tenures with firms like Suez R&R UK Ltd, where she led projects that reduced client costs significantly while boosting profitability. Tracy’s strong track record in managing large teams, implementing ISO standards, and overseeing complex H&S initiatives reflects her hands-on, people-centric leadership style.

Beyond her professional roles, Tracy is an active community leader, currently chairing several charitable and educational boards. She founded the WaterWell Foundation CIC, a charitable organisation that has positively impacted over 3,000 community members. In addition, Tracy has been instrumental in enhancing educational standards, holding Headteachers to account and led on initiatives that elevated positive school inspection outcomes.

Her commitment to productivity, safety, and the development of innovative solutions is evident across her work, and she continues to mentor emerging professionals, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and excellence in her field.

IMS Administrators

The Administration Team are available between 9:00 am and 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday. Please contact us on 01684 252360 or email admin@ims-productivity.com.