Leading the IT technology and services function for a top FTSE volume housebuilder which has grown significantly through multiple M&A events (Bovis Homes, Linden Homes, Galliford Try Partnerships and Countryside Partnerships).The group has 29 business all centrally supported through one IT technology vision.Our businesses operate a number of retail brands:- Bovis Homes- Linden Homes- Countryside Homes- Drew Smith Homes- Vistry VenturesDuring my period as CIO the group has grown from:- £1 billion revenue to over £4 billion- 7 regional business units to 29- 1,000 employees to over 4,500Key initiatives I led the team to deliver:- SaaS COINS ERP+ deployment across the entire group (including acquisitions)- Microsoft Dynamics 365 CE for sales and customer service functions (including acquisitions)- Integration platform providing automation between cloud systems- First top 5 housebuilder to gain Cyber Essentials Plus accreditation for entire estate- Significantly reduced the size of the IT estate whilst increasing capability- Removal of all physical servers- Tech Debt Zero - reductional and ultimate removal of legacy systems- Delivered year-on-year savings enabling the IT function to operate at scale whilst reducing cost base

Accountable for the IT service delivery, digital transformation, strategy and cyber security for FTSE 250 business.Key projects include:- Cloud services Deployment and Integration (ERP, CRM, HR)- Cyber security (cloud and on premise platforms, data protection, etc)- IT strategy (engaging with the business and partners to deliver a strategy tailored to the business)- Unified Communications (Skype for Business transition to Teams)

Leading and transforming the IT Department (reporting directly to the Group FD) for a FTSE 250 with turnover in excess of £1 billion.Within the first 6 months I delivered:- 3 year IT strategy- Security & data protection strategy- Formed IT Governance Council- Restructured the IT department to reflect a service department- Rebuilt relationships with partners to drive forward IT strategyWithin the first 12 months the department delivered the following projects in accordance with the IT Strategy:- Windows 10 rolled out to over 1,000 users- Windows Server 2016 upgrade to all servers- Unifed comms with Skype for Business and Surface Hubs- MDM (iPads, iPhones, managed apps, updates)- EE Rapid Site to remote offices- Meraki WiFi and Access Layer Switches across the entire network- Reduced costs and refined IT budget to deliver more value to the business- COINS ERP replacing legacy ERP solution (cloud hosted)

Key responsiblities include:- Software development (API integration, platform development, ERP)- BI, reporting and data provision- Project management and delivery- Technical direction (APIs, frameworks, infrastructure, technology decisions)- Infrastructure (provision, upgrade, maintenance) - Department management (line management, personal development)

I was promoted within the Group (Hardware.com Group, Zycko Group and ProLabs Group) to cover the business applications team, key areas of responsibility include:- Group ERP deployment- Group CRM deployment- Project management and delivery- Technical direction (APIs, frameworks, infrastructure, etc)- Client management (project meetings, schedules, support, delivery)- Data consumption & Reporting services- Application development (platform development, API integration, best practice, methodology)- Vendor management (providing application support, consultation and delivery)

Following a merger I moved to a central position heading up the group development teams for Hardware Group, ProLabs Group and Zycko Group. Key achievements in this role include:- Responsible for all group custom development (internal and external)- Delivering a custom developed multi-lingual CMS solution- Redevelopment of all customer facing websites (including integration with CMS, CRM and ERP solutions)- Developed internal quoting solution - supporting all group businesses- Redeveloped CRM/ERP integration- Designed and project managed customer self-service order processing solution
- Project planning, specification and resource management- Security, disaster recovery and hardware review of all application platforms

Member of the Hardware Group operational board, I had key input into IT Strategy, application and website development, key achievements included:- Introduction of customer support services and online portal- Improved company infrastructure (IP phone system, servers, operating systems, etc)- Oversaw office expansions and company wide system upgrades- Business Intelligence (BI) development and implementation- Migrated to a virtual environment- Oversaw website redevelopment to increase performance, scalability and automation

Successfully lead the development of the international customer facing website and internal business systems. Achievements during this role included:- Major technical upgrade to all systems (SQL Server, .NET implementation)- Responsible for SEO, design and development- Implementation of messaging and web services for order and customer processing- Designed and deployed CMS for handling product maintenance, content updates, order and lead processing

Responsible for website development and marketing, during a key growth period for the group:- Expanding the website into new territories (USA and mainland Europe) - Integrating with 3rd parties (supplier feeds and product catalogs)- Growing online sales and leads- Increased web sales and lead generation