Ian Rathbone Email & Phone Number

Ringwood, Gb

Wimborne, Dorset, Gb

- Led the Engineering and QA teams, managing 4 Technical Leads and their squads and DevOps Practice Lead, ensuring alignment with company goals and delivering high-quality solutions.- Conducted a review of the Engineering Function, proposing improvements to optimise team structure and processes.- Introduced Engineering Enablement, aligning team development with business goals and creating new progression pathways.- Creation of KPIs, fostering ownership and development within the engineering team aligning with progression pathways and personal development opportunities.- Improved processes by examining key metrics such as DORA and SPACE, and developed tracking systems using Power BI and Azure DevOps.- Organised and led our AI Hackathon, producing a proof of concept supporting a charity’s funding efforts.- Represented Talk Think Do at BETT UK and DigiGov conferences, presenting innovations in Generative AI for EdTech.- Delivered projects in EdTech, AI, Cloud Application Development, and DevOps, ensuring timely delivery and client satisfaction.- Achieved the Microsoft Azure AI Engineer Associate certification, enhancing the team’s Azure AI expertise and fulfilling the company goal of becoming a Microsoft Solution Partner in Data & AI.- Provided hands-on coding within projects, completing .NET 8 upgrades, Data API Development and implementing .NET Aspire support.- Managed the IT function, ensuring ISO compliance and smooth operations.- Overhauled the annual and quarterly review processes, improving performance evaluations and goal alignment.- Supported the company’s ISO27001 certification renewals and authored key policies.

Bournemouth, Dorset, Gb

- Led development teams in enhancing internal software infrastructure using technologies such as .NET Web API, MVC, Angular, Azure Functions, Azure Service Bus, Microsoft Dynamics, and Microsoft Power Platform.- Facilitated architectural workshops to empower teams in making technology decisions independently, fostering self-managing capabilities and enhancing competency management.- Contributed to the development of mi4com system for external customers, enabling self-service support and PBX configuration management.- Managed integration of offshore developers into a large R&D project, implementing AI solutions to optimize sales data and increase revenue.- Designed and implemented Engineering Development Values and progression framework, facilitating structured career advancement and achievement of OKRs for developers and testers.- Guided the Engineering team through challenges posed by COVID-19, implementing successful strategies for furlough and transitioning to hybrid work models, resulting in increased productivity.- Advocated and established a UX function for internal and external business segments, improving brand consistency and reducing long-term operational costs.- Led migration of on-premises build and deployment suites (BitBucket, TeamCity, Octopus Deploy) to cloud-based Azure DevOps Repositories and Pipelines, including a comprehensive migration of BitBucket code history into Azure DevOps Repositories using C# solutions.- Collaborated with SCRUM masters and product owners in a scaled Agile framework environment, ensuring seamless alignment of engineering efforts with business objectives, resulting in efficient delivery of high-quality software solutions.- Project Managed and implemented HiBob HR system across the organization for 500 users, developed custom integration with Sage HR via APIs to migrate all employee HR data.- Created the 4Com public-facing GitHub to publish useful libraries for the community, gathering interested from Microsoft.

- Started and successfully ran own business in response to unprecedented demand for multifunctional device scanning integrations.- Developed groundbreaking IoT solutions for multifunctional devices, enabling "scan to cloud" functionality with providers such as Dropbox, Google Drive, Office 365 and Box.- Provided consultancy and software solutions for document scanning and workflow issues.- Delivered eCopy Sharescan connectors globally to businesses and individuals.- Achieved proven success with multiple connectors installed at high-profile customer sites.- Established partnerships with multifunctional device manufacturers and resellers.- Collaborated with document management solution providers to create clear channels for delivering products and services.- Established and promoted the Connector Works brand and image.- Developed and launched the company website, marketing strategies, and full software development process.

Christchurch, England, Gb

-Researched and spearheaded the internal development of a PBX system based on OpenSIPS, leveraging Kubernetes, Azure ARC, and Azure Functions to enhance scalability and efficiency.-Enhanced functionality of RabbitMQ trigger for Azure Functions by adding support for Header Exchange binding, enabling seamless integration with OpenSIPS for improved operational capabilities.-Proposed and implemented a simplified architecture for HiHi2 notifications, replacing the costly and complex HiHi1 Service Fabric implementation, which remains the standard for all HiHi hardware today.-Collaborated with a cross-functional team of developers, testers, and Unified Communications specialists to develop innovative .NET Azure solutions for the HiHi Product division, resulting in streamlined architecture and reduced costs and maintenance overhead.-Reworked the hiring policy, interview format and technical test to focus on recruitment of best team and technical fit.

Bournemouth, Dorset, Gb

-Created and managed a secure call archiving and backup solution for entire call centre-Revamped brokers functionality by migrating from WCF to a new RESTful service, significantly boosting performance.-Redesigned the RESTful service to include caching, optimizing data retrieval for infrequently changing data.-Accelerated loan application processing times by several minutes through the enhanced service performance.-Developed an internal administration portal to streamline oversight and management of broker operations.-Created an external brokers portal for third-party use, improving accessibility and service delivery.-Collaborated closely with business and third-party stakeholders to integrate services for companies like MoneySuperMarket, leveraging OpenAPI specifications and example applications.-Led project management and development efforts for a dialler solution using a prototype integration from Twilio.-Organized rollouts of new functionality to call centers, ensuring smooth implementation and minimal disruption.-Innovated a user interface to display essential caller information, enhancing user experience and efficiency.-Implemented feature toggles to control and manage new features seamlessly within the dialler solution framework.-Implemented a RESTful API to manage handling of expletives and false addresses throughout communications across the business-Researched an early AI-based approach to credit card number removal from phone calls

Bournemouth, Dorset, Gb

-Led architectural redesign of N-Tier and MVC frameworks for regulatory compliance and modernization, including RESTful API design, implementation of dependency injection, and integration of unit testing.-Managed Software & IT team under CFO, stabilizing migration from parent company by hiring new roles to address skill gaps and operational imbalances in the IT team.-Implemented Avaya phone system, enhancing customer service with TAPI screen-pop for real-time customer information during calls.-Implemented PCI compliant call recording system to ensure regulatory compliance and data security in customer interactions.

- Delivered tailored website solutions to individuals, small businesses, and large enterprises.- Offered expert consultancy for software solutions in multiple programming languages, ensuring quick response and turnaround for critical sites and solutions.- Provided comprehensive installation services for computers, servers, and software.- Conducted educational and training programs covering all aspects of computing.- Established and promoted the Webby, Steady, Go brand and marketing strategy.- Managed day-to-day operations, ensuring smooth business functioning and growth.

-Managed end-to-end Software Development Lifecycle for ShareScan connectors at Mobile Buro, France.-Developed innovative solutions through strategic partnerships, resulting in a presence at Canon Expo in Paris.-Served prestigious clients including LexisNexis, consistently delivering simple solutions to complex challenges.

-Reported directly to the Managing Director, shaping and executing company-wide procedures and software deployment strategies. -Innovated the software licensing architecture and developed impactful software solutions tailored for advanced document management.-Led the end-to-end development of four flagship products, harnessing C#, C++, COM, Web Services, XML, HTML, ASP.NET, and ATL. -Integrated seamlessly with Sage ACT, Sage Accounts, Microsoft Office SharePoint Server, and EASY Enterprise, revolutionizing document scanning workflows with cutting-edge .NET technologies.-Engineered robust, reusable libraries driving scalability across our product ecosystem, including seamless integration with industry-leading solutions such as Invu and eCopy. -Piloted a forward-looking approach that anticipated future needs and optimized integration with diverse APIs.-Pioneered a company-wide framework for unified software development processes, merging life cycles and implementing improved methodologies. Streamlined our approach to software delivery, setting new standards for efficiency and innovation.

-Founded a niche video game news website aimed at discussing and reviewing video games, offering a distinctive and witty perspective on the industry.-Successfully managed the site for three years, garnering critical acclaim from the inaugural Games Media Awards panel and establishing a dedicated following during a time when video game blogs were still emerging.

-Reported to the Software Manager and team leaders, responsible for developing and maintaining software control applications for major customer in-line manufacturing equipment using C, C++, and C#. -Represented the UK company on the inter-company software improvement group, leading software process development for specified product categories and addressing customer requirements.-Created new front-end "Version 8" GUI pages in HTML, CSS, and XML with ActiveX controls, and developed areas of the new front-end "Version 9" using C#. -Played a key role in both Version 8 and 9, developing numerous back-end functions to enhance machine functionality for DEK Printing Machines as a member of high-profile development teams.-Demonstrated a keen interest in the full software life-cycle and process, with a strong emphasis on requirements and specifications. -Assumed responsibility for advanced build management, deployment, and configuration utilizing tools such as Microsoft SourceSafe and CM Synergy.-Conducted on-site work at prestigious customer facilities in China, successfully implementing software modifications ahead of schedule to address manufacturing process and product changes, achieving high customer satisfaction.-Provided on-site training to colleagues in India on software applications, program structures, and company processes. Continued to support and mentor remotely using conferencing methods from the UK.-Served as the Software Representative to the Software Improvement Process, responsible for creating and maintaining the internal Wiki and founding the Software Usability Group.

Bsc (Hons), Computing

Fully Qualified, Personal Software Process

Completion, Advanced C++

Bsc (Hons), Computing