Ivan Kennes Email & Phone Number

Wirral, England, United Kingdom

Serves on COO’s leadership team with accountability for international delivery channel quality & performance and budgetary oversight of 2,500+ independent contractors, vendors, and consultants. Leads vendor team based in MENA and Asia in driving Lean-Agile business transformation strategy. Delivers digital products and services and excellent customer experience across network of 800 locations in 90+ countries. Creates strategic initiatives such as communities of practice and auditor programmes… Show more Serves on COO’s leadership team with accountability for international delivery channel quality & performance and budgetary oversight of 2,500+ independent contractors, vendors, and consultants. Leads vendor team based in MENA and Asia in driving Lean-Agile business transformation strategy. Delivers digital products and services and excellent customer experience across network of 800 locations in 90+ countries. Creates strategic initiatives such as communities of practice and auditor programmes to drive engagement, efficiencies, and compliance in ACT’s community of independent contractors. Positions the business for improved performance and program re-accreditation in key markets through phased delivery of technological and operational enhancements.ACT is a mission-driven, non-profit organization dedicated to helping people achieve education and workplace success. Grounded in 60 years of research, ACT is a trusted leader in college and career readiness solutions. Each year, ACT serves millions of students, job seekers, schools, government agencies, and employers in the U.S. and around the world with learning resources, assessments, research, and credentials designed to help them succeed from elementary school through career. To learn more, visit www.act.org. Show less

Wirral, England, United Kingdom

Reporting to ACT's Chief Operating Officer in the US. Led global initiatives to future-proof channel delivery of the ACT college admissions test and subject tests in a pandemic-induced VUCA environment. Supervised selection and onboarding of key resource partners to ensure quality of service delivery and business continuity. Secured year-on-year savings in channel supplier operating costs via contract renegotiations. Coordinated delivery of strategic projects with cross-functional internal… Show more Reporting to ACT's Chief Operating Officer in the US. Led global initiatives to future-proof channel delivery of the ACT college admissions test and subject tests in a pandemic-induced VUCA environment. Supervised selection and onboarding of key resource partners to ensure quality of service delivery and business continuity. Secured year-on-year savings in channel supplier operating costs via contract renegotiations. Coordinated delivery of strategic projects with cross-functional internal teams and key external stakeholders, including government ministries and strategic third-party service providers. Show less

North-West Of England, United Kingdom

Founded research and consultancy practice advising VCs and startups on e-assessment market trends, technologies, channel partnership openings and sales pipeline qualification for investments valued up to $10M. Conducted applied research and market trials on 30 SMEs and business leaders into the uptake of Education Technologies by non-digital natives. Designed full-pathway solution offering which integrates neuroscientific coaching techniques with learning analytics to maintain productivity and… Show more Founded research and consultancy practice advising VCs and startups on e-assessment market trends, technologies, channel partnership openings and sales pipeline qualification for investments valued up to $10M. Conducted applied research and market trials on 30 SMEs and business leaders into the uptake of Education Technologies by non-digital natives. Designed full-pathway solution offering which integrates neuroscientific coaching techniques with learning analytics to maintain productivity and deliver quantifiable ROI on training and L&D costs. Show less

Manchester, United Kingdom

Served on the leadership team of the US-based VP of Sales for EMEA as a connected worker. Directed sales and marketing activities across Europe and CIS, managing network of resellers and agents across 33 countries and growing revenues by 7% in Y1, 56% in Y2 and 61% in Y3 via restructuring and improved go-to-market strategy, including pipeline building for government and NGO business, robust project planning and tender submissions; maintained sales and revenue budget forecasting accuracy to +/-… Show more Served on the leadership team of the US-based VP of Sales for EMEA as a connected worker. Directed sales and marketing activities across Europe and CIS, managing network of resellers and agents across 33 countries and growing revenues by 7% in Y1, 56% in Y2 and 61% in Y3 via restructuring and improved go-to-market strategy, including pipeline building for government and NGO business, robust project planning and tender submissions; maintained sales and revenue budget forecasting accuracy to +/- 5% versus actual. Mentored global cross-functional teams to drive excellence in business development and service delivery. Show less

Manchester, United Kingdom

Following an aggressive business model shake-up, my remit was expanded to design the first operational support model for volume assessment licensing to global public sector customers (depth and breadth sales) valued in excess of $5 million.

Manchester, United Kingdom

Promoted to grow the flagging Western-European partner sales for Certiport’s College readiness and workforce development certification program portfolio. Realigned commercial strategy through distributor retraining, quantitative and qualitative research and EU lobbying. Secured Certiport membership and voting right on the European e-Competence Framework Project to align our digital skills certification programs and help shape EU policy decisions.

Manchester, United Kingdom

Reporting to the Head of EMEA Channel Sales, I was promoted to retain, upgrade, and grow strategic third party service delivery channels in EMEA across public and private sectors. Leveraged channel partner relationships to increase channel revenues and develop sustainable new revenue streams, in compliance with ethical, security & quality standards and risk management protocols.

Manchester, United Kingdom

Pearson VUE recruited me after winning the DSA, Driving Standards Agency contract – the world’s largest computer-based testing program – to support this deal and its existing ICT and professional testing business spanning a network of 3000+ testing centres throughout EMEA. I provided multilingual technical support to cross-sector testing centres in line with varied client SLAs and KPIs and deployed bespoke software & media updates and ad hoc support projects in line with operational/commercial… Show more Pearson VUE recruited me after winning the DSA, Driving Standards Agency contract – the world’s largest computer-based testing program – to support this deal and its existing ICT and professional testing business spanning a network of 3000+ testing centres throughout EMEA. I provided multilingual technical support to cross-sector testing centres in line with varied client SLAs and KPIs and deployed bespoke software & media updates and ad hoc support projects in line with operational/commercial metrics and deliverables. Show less

Manchester, United Kingdom

Six-month secondment in the Management Information business unit. Mapped information architectures, optimised operational processes and created and managed SQL/Access database queries.

Manchester, United Kingdom

Headhunted in 2004 to fill a Multilingual Service Desk Analyst role at IBM Manchester after the acquisition of PWC’s BPO business.

South-Wales, Uk

Temporary contracts in ICT & BPO support, customer service, office management, facilities management and sales. Hospitality, banqueting, catering and event management field assignments hosting public figures at high profile sport & music events, award ceremonies, conferences, corporate and civic functions.

Cardiff, United Kingdom

Deployed a new facilities management software suite and supplemented the helpdesk during Y2K audit.

Cardiff, United Kingdom

Two-season tenure as the first ever non-British Multilingual Tour Guide at Cardiff Castle.

Micro Credentials, Certifications, Masterclasses, Design And Visual Communications, General

Masterclasses, Corporate Governance

Leadership And People Management

Executive course in Leading Talent: Developing People, Getting Results. Applied Design Thinking for Organisational Talent Development.

Masterclasses, Selling Skills And Sales Operations

Business Administration And Management, General

Executive courses in Managerial Economics, Global Events & Leadership, Marketing.

Language Interpretation And Translation

Further Education Courses in French Translation & Localisation.

Modern Languages (Dutch, French, English)