David Little Email & Phone Number

Edinburgh, Gb

Edinburgh, United Kingdom

Edinburgh, United Kingdom

IT Risk Manager with accountability for management of IT Operational Risk portfolio, creation of standards and processes based on industry best practise to create a robust control framework, and engagement with internal and external assurance bodies. Main focus areas were effective management of key risks, design and implementation of an IT control framework, creation of reporting into various senior management forums and engagement with internal and external audit bodies.

Key Achievements

• Reviewed and updated IT Risk Strategy, Standard and Process with the goal of reducing levels of risk
• Carried out numerous risk assessments to provide experience and guidance to IT teams which ensured risk, controls and actions were clearly articulated
• Led work to design and implement a robust IT Control Framework, creating baselines, standards and liaising with HOITs and owners to approve and progress creation of process documents and testing
• Developed and executed a compliance programme to test IT Control Framework on a monthly basis
• Key member of teams working on Operational Resilience and Customer Facing Systems initiatives for FSA
• Created first line assurance framework with oversight of IT PCA risk and issues
• Implemented monthly risk and control MI processes to improve consistency and timeliness of returns across the various forums
• Member of key risk groups setting risk strategy and direction for Tesco Bank
• Led annual IT Operational Risk Scenario Analysis workshops to help improve Operational Risk position and lead into Tesco Bank Capital Provision
• Played an active part in Operational Risk Improvement Programme initiatives to improve Operational Risk within Tesco Bank
• Prepared and delivered Risk Management training to IT and wider CIO area with the aim of embedding the culture of risk awareness
• Effectively managed audit engagements via weekly audios, continuous engagement and new evidence request/gathering mechanisms

Platform Service Manager for Directory, Messaging and Web Services, managing a team of third level support professionals delivering a reliable, cost efficient and effective capability to meet the Service Level Agreement commitments of Technology Services. Providing a clear Operational and technical strategy for the platform, creating business plans and stretch targets to drive improvements in terms of service and capability.

Key Achievements

Created a robust platform vision upon which to base operational growth
Developed a clear, benefits driven business plan with measured objectives to take the platform forward through step change
Built a strong, proactive platform support team with stretch objectives to assist with their career development
Initiated a work prioritisation system to effectively manage teams' workload
Led initiatives to improve and exploit globalisation
Built and maintained strong relationships between the business, their partners and clients; followed supplier management principles to ensure the best quality service was given to the business.
Delivered several services into the Measured portfolio using ITIL principles
Successfully met all SLAs for the Key Services managed
Led major audit work across the platform to assist with Sarbanes Oxley compliance
Recovery managed major business impacting incidents
Created processes and procedures to ensure compliance within governance


Scottish Widows 2005 - 2006

Contracted as an Infrastructure Project Manager, tasked with guiding projects of business benefit, on time and within budget.

Reporting to the Managing Director, in charge of Operations, Service Delivery and Project Management for a start-up company providing secure software solutions. Main responsibilities included: creating operational plans for short and long term; controlling both the IT and project budgets; creating the helpdesk and operational functions to meet SLAs; monitoring the project and ensuring delivery on time and within budget; managing supplier relationships and continuous service improvement.

Key Achievements

Successfully project managed the creation of a secure, subscriber based email system to launch state. In tandem, led two further projects for future realisation. Combined project budget stood at £3m.
Created a strong, proactive, customer focused technical support team with the requisite skills to support and enhance the business; worked to improve the team through training, performance appraisals and goal setting.
******Authored structured processes including change, incident, risk and problem management, which enabled the company to achieve BS7799 security accreditation at the first attempt.
Built and maintained strong relationships between the business, their partners and clients; followed supplier management principles to ensure the best quality service was given to the business.
Worked to incorporate ITIL principles into our ongoing operational and development procedures to improve quality of service to client base.

Managed a global team of IS professionals supporting both the corporate and production systems within a financial information organisation. Key member of global management team, specifically responsible for setting Information Systems Strategy and designing the technical infrastructure for the European and Asian offices (Edinburgh, London and Hong Kong) with direct input into the strategy of the US operation.

Key Achievements

Promoted to newly created role of CIS Manager, Europe and Asia to include management of IT infrastructure in Edinburgh, London and Hong Kong offices.
Introduced comprehensive policies and procedures, and improved IT processes to reduce support costs.
Created the 24x7 support function for the business' key Internet facing products, including proactive alerting, out of hours cover and multi-tiered Helpdesk
Built and maintained strong relationships with both internal and external suppliers and major clients in different continents, setting and monitoring service level agreements.
Set and controlled the IS budget for the Europe and Asia businesses (circa £5m) to ensure the organisation received optimal return on their technical investment. Constantly researched and presented on technological solutions which would be of business benefit.
Championed, designed, implemented and tested comprehensive Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity plans for critical Operational functions.
Led two successful IT infrastructure integration projects when the business was purchased by other companies, standardising many systems and creating a more homogenized infrastructure.

Led the infrastructure team to provide high quality support service to the business - covering 300+ users at 7 offices and 2000+ external clients. Appointed Technical Infrastructure Manager for joint venture with Fiat Auto Financial Services. Latterly key member of global team working on IT strategy.