Career Profile
A professional
self-motivated individual offering wide-range blue chip industry
experience over a period of 20+ years across most technical
platforms. Has successfully performed a number of senior roles
including Project Manager, Head of IT, Programme Manager,
Programme and IT Director offering business strategy, IT and
e-commerce strategy, change management, programme/project
management (including matrix management), application
developments, package selection and implementation,
infrastructure design, team development/mentoring, business
analysis and problem resolution skills within a Retail,
Logistics, Media & Entertainment, Financial services, Travel,
Mobile Technology and Marketing environment. Managed the design,
development and implementation of a global New Media Video On
Demand/IPTV portal offering Movies, Music and Mobile content
with teams based in the UK, India and USA. Delivery and budget
focussed individual with a business driven and ROI approach to
IT, Supply chain, Operational and HR solutions of up to £6m in
budget and 70+ staff. Very effective communicator and presenter
to board level with proven skills in motivation, development and
training of staff. Experience of integrating businesses post
acquisition to ensure business advantages and benefits are
achieved. Managed the facilitation and development of different
methods to deliver mobile content and applications to mobile
handsets.
Achievements
Helped SME
businesses in the Retail, Media & Entertainment, Travel and
Mobile technology sectors to define the IT strategies and
implement them using fewer suppliers working in long-term
partnerships.
Managed the
development and implementation of a New Media Video On Demand/IPTV
portal for Movies, Music and Mobile content, supporting the
business across all processes of the solution and managing teams
based in the UK, India and USA.
Managed and
negotiated with the suppliers using RFI/RFP processes to review
the infrastructure, contracts etc. whilst managing expectations
within the business. Simplified the procurement processes for
businesses reducing suppliers from 50 to 5, agreeing outsourcing
options and aligning IT to the operational and workflow
processes. Reviewed, developed and implemented e-commerce
strategies to facilitate new business opportunities. Analyzed
business processes and after product evaluations, selected and
implemented packages to give the business a competitive edge.
Integrated several businesses into the business/technical
environments post acquisitions to facilitate opportunity
realization and business benefits achieved. Worked with content
providers to facilitate and manage development of
infrastructure/mobile applications to deliver content to mobile
handsets directly via gateway providers, operator ‘live’ zones
etc.
Established a
management information system that consolidated information into
one centralised source. Produced an end-to-end information flow
throughout the business and forecasting ability for senior
management. Implemented a change management programme providing
communication through workshops, details of changes and
involvement of the end customer from day one. Successfully
reduced the amount of training requirements and produced a
smooth end implementation.
Successfully
defined and implemented the IT strategy for a Sainsburys venture
in Egypt. Managed and negotiated with major suppliers to review
the infrastructure whilst managing expectations within the
business. Presented strategy and results to senior management.
Outsourced the
Network and Desktop services to an external supplier due to lack
of expertise in house and successfully enabling a continued
focus on the business strategy for IT. Focussed on creating
partnerships, a new concept in Egypt, agreeing long-term deals
and ensuring out of hours support as part of the fixed cost.
Participated in an information sharing of resources and
initiated secondments to the partner (ICL).
Designed and
developed a system managing an entire supply chain for the store
to send orders online linking to suppliers and warehouses
ensuring same or next day delivery including an MIS interface
for the system. Managed the technical achievement ensuring that
all documentation, reports and communications were written in
English and Arabic.
Designed IT
infrastructure and managed the schedules for a new Retail site
in Cairo. Ensuring telecommunication, wiring structures were
future proof to ensure contingency for future requirements.
Completed negotiations with suppliers and infrastructure ready
for use.
Programme Manager
for the Y2K initiative at Safeway with responsibility for
Inventory recording stage through to impact analysis and
implementation. Two project manager reports managing groups of
35 staff (one group for development the other for Y2000
conversion work). Multi-project environment with responsibility
for co-ordinating development, training and management of staff
across time zones in India.
Key Skills & Responsibilities
·
Management
o
Communication and Reporting at all levels including Stakeholder
management
o
Matrix Project Management
o
Decision making and team leading
o
Staff
Mentoring, Motivation, Development (including appraisals and
development plans)
o
Develop and deliver IT Strategy and outsourcing options
o
Understanding opportunities and impact of IT on business
development
o
Budget Management/Financial tracking to ensure delivery on time
and budget
o
HR
and Resource management (including Recruitment)
o
Supplier Management including RFI/RFP processes, Contract
Management etc.
o
Package Review, Evaluation and Implementation to realize
business benefits
o
Managing and liaising with technical staff
o
Business Analysis (including business re-engineering processes)
o
RFI/Invitation
to Tender
o
Programme/Project Management using various methodologies,
Planning, Project brief/ PID, Progress monitoring and reporting
o
Risk
Analysis
o
Quality Controls and Assurance
o
Change Controls and Management
o
Testing strategy and plans (from development through to
implementation)
o
Managing local and offshore teams (including development
training plans)
o
Facilitation (technical and business)
o
Bid
Management (working closely with sales teams)
o
CRM
processes and management
o
Training (technical, business and staff development)
·
Technical
o
Ensure IT Strategy works closely with Business Strategy and
optimum use is made of technology
o
Performance and Tuning
o
Capacity Planning
o
Backup and Recovery (including Disaster Recovery/Business
Continuity)
o
Database Administration and Design
o
Design and development of Data warehousing/MIS systems
o
Application Design including ‘extreme and agile’ developments
techniques
o
Security controls, IT Policies and management
o
E-commerce strategy/services design, development and
implementation
o
Network design, management and performance
o
Build
test and ‘live’ platforms/environments including LPARs
o
Infrastructure design and implementation
o
Develop and implement infrastructure to deliver mobile content
and applications to mobile handsets via gateways, direct and
integration into operator ‘live’ zones and billing systems
o
Video
On Demand/IPTV platforms for rich media content on 1-foot
(Mobile), 2-foot (PC) and 10-foot (TV)
Career
May 2005 – April 2007
Programme Manager/Consultant
[snip]
·
Manage a Video On Demand (VOD)/IPTV portal for delivering
Movies, Music and Mobile content on a global basis with the
required rights management on 1-foot(Mobile), 2-foot(PC) and
10-foot(TV) platforms
·
Work
closely with teams based in the UK, India and USA ensuring all
deadlines were met
·
Work
with Intel to launch the 10-foot service on the Viiv platform at
CES 2007; work with various Intel teams for Burn and Go
technical solutions
·
Implement the 10-foot service on Microsoft’s On Spotlight
service
·
Develop the portal strategy, requirements and technical
infrastructures needed
·
Develop and implement business models (Rental, Subscription,
Download to Own) and different item types (stream, download)
etc.
·
Implement marketing campaigns to drive traffic and revenues
using traditional, online routes including Google Video, YouTube,
MySpace etc.
·
Develop and implement the development and testing strategies;
ensure Quality Assurance/Control procedures implemented across
all of the processes
·
Responsible for all aspects of the VOD/IPTV programme from the
source, metadata definitions and delivery, content creation,
encoding/transcoding, DRM encryption, portal design, testing,
integration with payment gateways, integration with gateway
providers/CDNs/hosting providers, streaming/download
specifications, marketing and implementation
·
Implement support processes for consumers and teams in various
locations
·
Negotiate with suppliers via RFI/RFP processes to ensure
business achieves ROI for any investment and better pricing
policies/contracts
·
Review other delivery mechanisms for content delivery
·
Business development with content channels/distributors and
implementation of these services (including Comcast, RTL,
Movielink, Rogers TV, Homechoice, On Command, Vodafone Fiji,
Canalplay); ensure accounting procedures were agreed and
implemented
·
Review options for getting content transferred to HD for HD DVD/Blu-ray
discs including performing trials with vendors
·
Review options to move from a tape to a tape-less environment
for the content source
April 2003 – May 2005 Programme
Manager/Consultant/Director Various
·
Review Management and Operational processes to ensure business
operating productively and profitably
·
Develop and implement IT/e-commerce strategies for Travel,
Retail and Mobile Technology businesses to facilitate new
business opportunities
·
Negotiate with suppliers to ensure business achieves ROI for any
investment and better pricing policies/contracts
·
Review, evaluate and implement applications/packages as per
business requirements
·
Develop training plans for staff (technical and self
development)
·
Integrate staff/IT systems into business post acquisition of
other businesses
·
Review, develop and implement business continuity procedures
·
Work
with the board to ensure financial budgets, change management,
IT deliverables, new business opportunities etc. are achieved
·
Implement IT policies and procedures within businesses
·
Develop and implement infrastructure to deliver
content/applications to mobile handsets for content providers
via various methods including full integration into the operator
billing systems
Feb 2002 – Mar
2003 Programme Manager/Head of IT [snip]
·
Review IT strategy, security, management and business continuity
processes for the business and implement changes as required.
Implement change management procedures for infrastructure and
software developments
·
Rationalize the number of suppliers and set-up contracts/service
level agreements with the selected suppliers; rationalize the
networking and communication requirements. Provide technical
input to client discussions which included
Tesco, J Sainsbury, Somerfield, Asda,
Safeway, Budgens, Co-Op et al.
·
Development of a new asset management system that could be
easily customized for new clients and a MIS system to assist
information flow throughout the business. Established a website
to promote the business and review access to client databases
via a browser interface; develop an intranet to assist
communications.
Jul 2001 –
Feb 2002 Programme Manager/Consultant
Various
·
Develop and implement IT/e-commerce strategies for the Retail
sector
·
IT
Training
·
Negotiate with suppliers and simplify procurement processes
·
Develop and implement SLAs
·
Develop and implement backup and recovery procedures
Jun 1999 – May 2001 IT
Programme Director [snip]
·
Defined the IT strategy for the business and obtained ‘buy in’
from the board; implemented the agreed IT strategy and
infrastructure using current and new technologies; communicated
the strategy to all departments and to the senior UK management.
·
Defined IT Policy and Security guidelines for the business, IT
budgets negotiating preferred costs with external
suppliers/partners and delivery to agreed timescales.
·
Built, recruited and developed an IT department of 34+ staff
capable of supporting the aggressive business plans in all
locations e.g. 5-6 store openings per week. Implemented SLAs,
business continuity planning and defined requirements.
·
Raised the profile of the IT department within the company and
within the Egyptian IT/business sectors through demonstrating
added value in supporting business needs. Liaised with the
Business Strategy department to ensure that both departments
were working to a common vision e.g. e-commerce developments.
Jan 1997 – February 1999 Programme
Manager [snip]
Safeway
Year 2000 Conversion Programme
·
Defined the Y2000 conversion process from the Inventory
Recording stage through to Impact Analysis, Code changes,
Testing, QA and Implementation. Project managed two groups of
offshore resources (35+ for development and another 35+ for
Y2000 conversion work) and 5 local resources to ensure all
deadlines were met.
·
Liaised with the [snip] management team to agree conversion
plans, resolve technical issues and obtain signoffs. Supported
the [snip] developers, business support teams and end-users via
workshops. Designed technical training for offshore staff
(India).
PMS & CSP Conversion Project
·
Developed a process for CSP/DB2 and CICS/DB2 programs to run
under a network-computing environment and develop tools to
automate conversion process. Defined the project plan and
resource requirements using local and offshore staff. Provided
training material and courses for offshore staff.
Matrix Management of Multiple Projects
at Safeway
·
Petrol
management, Software Utility replacements, Buying Income, Labour
Management, ‘Planit’ Custom Worktops and Malta set up.
Established an operation in Malta for Safeway defining
infrastructure, skills needs between technical and business
staff. Identified specific business needs, writing and presented
proposal at senior management and director level.
Jun 1996 – Dec 1996 Senior
Technical Consultant
Jan 1991 – Jun 1996 DBA/Project Manager
Jun 1989 – May 1991 Team
Leader/DBA
Oct 1983 – May 1989 Senior Technical Consultant
Jul 1980 –
Sept 1983 Analyst Programmer
Technical
PDAS, CASE,
Information Engineering, OOD, JAD/RAD, DB2, Ingres, SQLServer,
Oracle, Web technologies, eBusiness, Capacity Planning, Business
Continuity Planning, Problem resolution, DBA and Database
Design, Application Design, Performance and Tuning, SSADM,
Mainframe and Client-server environments, Systems Integration,
Datawarehousing
Education
BSc Honours –
Computer Science
(2:1)
9 ‘O’ Levels, 3 ‘A’ Levels
Training
Working in
Multi-Cultural Environments
(2000-2001)
Successful Management Development
(2000-2001)
Leaders of the Future (throughout 2001-2001)
Train to be a Trainer (October
1996)
Various Technical, Management and Development courses
(Ongoing)
Personal
Date of Birth:
3rd February 1960
Nationality: British Driving
Licence: Yes
Marital Status: Married |
