Andrew Forrest Email & Phone Number

Alpharetta

My role here is focused on enabling our portfolio of brands to use technology to achieve their business goals. Digital transformation is a key driver for growth and success within all of our brands. The remit stretches across VoIP technology, Hybrid Cloud implementations using Azure, Service Desk excellence initiatives for both internal and external customers, custom developed ERP solution implementation, internal LAN design and security, SQL Server development and DBA management, hardware… Show more My role here is focused on enabling our portfolio of brands to use technology to achieve their business goals. Digital transformation is a key driver for growth and success within all of our brands. The remit stretches across VoIP technology, Hybrid Cloud implementations using Azure, Service Desk excellence initiatives for both internal and external customers, custom developed ERP solution implementation, internal LAN design and security, SQL Server development and DBA management, hardware procurement and vendor consolidation, SD WAN implementation along with staff mentoring and team building. Change management and strategic planning form a key part of what I do as IT is always an agent of change and needs to be managed accordingly.With the ever changing IT risk landscape, Cyber Security has now become one of the main initiatives that I focus on. NIST is the framework that we are using. Extensive anti-phishing training along with Cyber Security refresher courses are being used to shore up employee awareness. I am also championing the use of advanced AI based pattern and behavioral recognition tools to further improve our security posture. Show less

Greater Atlanta Area

This role was focused on stabilizing the IT function with the brand portfolio and building a team for future success. We spent a lot of effort in training up the existing team and empowering them to make daily operational decisions to ensure the smooth operation of the department. Staff retention here was key to the success of the department and by using a combination of ideas and opportunities, we managed to ensure team stability.

Croydon / City Of London

Promoted to Head of IT from IT Development Manager for a legal services and fee protection insurance group. Oversaw vendor selection and management, departmental and group IT budgeting, project approval across the group, and digital transformation; all employing stakeholder management, change management and contingency planning. Implemented a group-wide legal case management and billing system. Initiated and facilitated SharePoint 2013 upgrade and the digital transformation… Show more Promoted to Head of IT from IT Development Manager for a legal services and fee protection insurance group. Oversaw vendor selection and management, departmental and group IT budgeting, project approval across the group, and digital transformation; all employing stakeholder management, change management and contingency planning. Implemented a group-wide legal case management and billing system. Initiated and facilitated SharePoint 2013 upgrade and the digital transformation program.Administered internal support and maintenance of the Underwriting and Claims management system. Show less

East Croydon

Managed in-house and third part development projects. Developed applications in VB.Net and performed all SQL Server DBA and TSQL development functions within the group. Executed training plans for the team and managed relationships with project stakeholders. Served as project manager for all SharePoint website development projects. Administered the database and designed and implemented the data disaster recovery plans. Initiated Prince II project management methodologies and piloted a… Show more Managed in-house and third part development projects. Developed applications in VB.Net and performed all SQL Server DBA and TSQL development functions within the group. Executed training plans for the team and managed relationships with project stakeholders. Served as project manager for all SharePoint website development projects. Administered the database and designed and implemented the data disaster recovery plans. Initiated Prince II project management methodologies and piloted a Management Information suite using SSRS. Show less

Johannesburg Area, South Africa

Promoted to Managing Director but retained IT support as well as strategic development of the company. Started a small claims management company in 2008 and developed all the required software to operate the processes of claims payment, management, and reporting. Designed and built new Sequel Server 2005 databases to accommodate the newly developed software. Assisted in the setup of the South African branch of these insurance brokers. Grew company turnover from R1.8M per annum to over R5M per… Show more Promoted to Managing Director but retained IT support as well as strategic development of the company. Started a small claims management company in 2008 and developed all the required software to operate the processes of claims payment, management, and reporting. Designed and built new Sequel Server 2005 databases to accommodate the newly developed software. Assisted in the setup of the South African branch of these insurance brokers. Grew company turnover from R1.8M per annum to over R5M per annum over 18 months Show less

London, United Kingdom

Worked as a systems and development consultant for three clients in the claims management, insurance quotations, and litigation department invoicing environments. Using MS-Access, VB and SQL Server, built an insurance quote platform for tradesman insurance, a rent and rates management platform for over 3000 commercial properties as well as insurance claims run-off systems for over 250,000 personal injury insurance claims.

Bachelor Of Commerce Degree (Informatics) Distinction Achieved, Information Systems

Bachelor of Commerce degree with majors in Information Systems and Business Management.

Msp Practitioner, Program Management, Qualified

Program Management Certification

Prince Ii Practitioner, Information Technology Project Management, Qualified

PMP certification