Development, enhancement and marketing of a consultancy offering to help entrepreneurial and corporate companies to; carry out strategic platform reviews, initialise business/IT transformation programmes and deliver new/re-engineered applications platforms and operational models. The consulting offering 'Optimum' is proven methodologies, IP, experiences, and capabilities which can be tailored to create a unique services proposition (USP) for each individual client's needs whether that be for; - An initial consultancy assessment/health check of the business operation and /or IT platform- The definition/enhancement and setup of a business architecture model- The definition/enhancement of business requirements/processes - A new platform vendor RFI selection and proposal process including commercial negotiations - The establishment and delivery of a complete platform transformation programmeThe Key focuses of the Optimum USP consultancy offering are;- Addressing the challenge of 'The Devil is in the Detail ' which often the difference between success and failure- Setting and managing realistic expectations- Identifying and mitigating key risks - Delivering enhanced and accelerated business value

• Programme Management – In a director capacity John has led and managed significant strategic change initiatives involving the innovative use of technologies and third party components in the design, development and delivery of new application platforms. • Stakeholder Management – John has the experience and ability to operate at all levels within an organisation (board, executive management, operational management and SME) and believes strongly that stakeholder expectation management is a very key aspect of delivering successful programmes/projects.• Industry Experience – During his career John has worked in various industries but for seventeen years has focused on the Pensions, SIPP/Wrap and investment market areas working mostly with entrepreneurial companies on new strategic platforms in dynamical growing and challenging business environments. • IT platform Solutions Experience - John has designed an assessment model to evaluate third party application solutions against client specific requirements and this model has been used to assess several of key third party solution offerings. John has experience of applying industry specific IT applications/ technologies to meet business requirements and improve operational efficiency and effectiveness.• IT Transformation – As part of his programme director responsibilities John has managed key IT functions; business analysis, development, testing and project management and using a health check approach has led and directed the transformation of these functions. This involved team changes, the development of new skills and the implementation of new methods, processes, QA standards and the establishment of forums to achieve greater collaboration with the business and between IT functions.• Leadership and Team Management.• Programme Office and Project Management. • Business Case and Financial Management. • Negotiation and Commercial Management. • Vendor Management. • Consulting and Problem Solving.

Defined and set up a Business Architecture to help ensure that the implementation of a new platform meets/exceeds business expectations and that business objectives are achieved. Provided leadership and direction for the definition of a data migration strategy and plan with specific focus on the challenges of executing data cleansing activities.Provided mentoring for key members of the project team and the project overall by drawing on SIPP/Wrap consulting/project experience/capabilities to provide guidance and direction on all aspects of the project.

Worked with the COO business executive sponsor and the Group Board to define and setup a strategic business and IT programme. The programme was focused on establishing a new applications platform to support the business growth and operational transformation strategy. The scope of the programme covered the following key activities ; - Applications platform review - IT development/project management health check- Business requirements definition- New applications architecture definition and development - Solution component selection - Business case creation/approval - Business transformation programme management and implementation- Transformation of key IT functions (business analysis, applications development, testing and PM) - Executive /Senior Management stakeholder management

Led major Business and IT transformation project in the SIPP and Wrap finacial services area , this included ;- Market assessment of potential applications software options - Selection of appropriate software option- Business case development- Business requirements definition - Program and project setup - Project management and implementation- Liason and interaction at board level and with key executives

Directed, managed and led a european team of 200 plus insurance/pensions consultants and IT industry solutions/services specialist.This team was focused on delivering enhanced business value by assisting clients to successfully implement strategic business/IT projects. This role required personal involvement in a wide range of consultancy engagements and services delivery projects examples of which are;- L&P vendor solutions selection and implementation- Claims management solutions selection and implementation- Customer service operations business process transformation engagements- CRM solutions selection and implementations- Identifying and defining business value creation initiatives