Leading a team of Developers in the building of market-leading software for the automotive sector.

This was a hands on role providing Analysis support to the business, managing the development team and developing an in house application developed in WPF and SQL Server. Role was put on hold due to Covid 19, on furlough until August.

Situation MPP Global delivers the only fully integrated cloud SaaS platform to identify, engage and monetise digital audiences, designed for media companies. Task Responsible for initiating, developing and implementing a range of projects, whilst ensuring excellent communication within the team and across the business, on time and within budget. Agreeing project objectives by engaging key stakeholders. Providing advice on the management of projects making sure high-quality standards are… Show more Situation MPP Global delivers the only fully integrated cloud SaaS platform to identify, engage and monetise digital audiences, designed for media companies. Task Responsible for initiating, developing and implementing a range of projects, whilst ensuring excellent communication within the team and across the business, on time and within budget. Agreeing project objectives by engaging key stakeholders. Providing advice on the management of projects making sure high-quality standards are always met. Clearly representing the clients and MPP Global’s interests.Action Planned and implemented payment solutions to external customers across the globe. Providing leadership and motivation to both internal and external teams. Tracked budgets, reported progress and dealt with risks and issues. Result Managed multiple projects and teams consisting of developers, testers and implementation consultants. Worked with product owners and development managers to implement new custom functionality such as payment methods and reports. Implemented solutions for a range of companies including El Pais (Columbia), Specsavers (UK) and National Car Parks (UK).Worked on several internal process improvements for the delivery team including weekly reporting, burndown charts and delivery processes. Show less

Situation Procost Solutions is a software company within the Benx Group, the Benx Group of companies provide external wall insulation products and installers. The company had one developer working on a unique application to calculate external wall insulation (EWI) materials, labour and manage the installation project. There were no systems in place for the management of the development, testing, bug tracking etc. Task To formalise the development activity, manage the team, demonstrate to… Show more Situation Procost Solutions is a software company within the Benx Group, the Benx Group of companies provide external wall insulation products and installers. The company had one developer working on a unique application to calculate external wall insulation (EWI) materials, labour and manage the installation project. There were no systems in place for the management of the development, testing, bug tracking etc. Task To formalise the development activity, manage the team, demonstrate to prospective customers, implement and train. Work with the company owners to identify and prioritise changes and gain customers.Action Set up a quality management system (QMS) and processes to manage the development life cycle. Designed a new platform for the future, to port the application over to a Software as a Service (SaaS) solution. Carried out software demonstrations to potential customers.Result Recruited an additional developer. Guided the product through ten major updates without issue to customers. Implemented the Jira system for Agile development and testing. Started the move into a SaaS platform by implementing a new mobile application which connected to the cloud database using microservices. Hands on development of the Windows Phone version of the Task Track application and the desktop administration module for the canvasser application.Additionally, I was successful in finding work for the team in other companies within the group, providing one company with an ecommerce site for their EWI products and another with mobile and desktop applications to track canvassers.Due to the demise of the government Green Deal initiative, the company was unable to gain enough customers and recently made the decision to make my post redundant. Show less

SituationCheshire Shared Services is an organisation set up to provide HR\Payroll and IT services to both Cheshire West and Cheshire East councils.TaskWork on a large programme of work to upgrade 8000 Windows XP machines to Windows 7.ActionManaged a team of 8 developers and testers in the packaging of 500+ applications for deployment through Microsoft System Centre Configuration Manager. I reported to the Programme Manager and to individual Programme Boards for both Cheshire… Show more SituationCheshire Shared Services is an organisation set up to provide HR\Payroll and IT services to both Cheshire West and Cheshire East councils.TaskWork on a large programme of work to upgrade 8000 Windows XP machines to Windows 7.ActionManaged a team of 8 developers and testers in the packaging of 500+ applications for deployment through Microsoft System Centre Configuration Manager. I reported to the Programme Manager and to individual Programme Boards for both Cheshire Councils.ResultSucceeded in isolating over 250 applications to package. Show less

SituationManheim Retail Services are an organisation providing search facilities to the used car market. They provide a web front end for dealerships and companies to put their used cars into the database. They then customise customer facing front end web sites to provide a search facility. The Used Car Locator is a product which interfaces to several in-house and external databases to provide used vehicle details. This was an interim post covering maternity leave. TaskManaging a… Show more SituationManheim Retail Services are an organisation providing search facilities to the used car market. They provide a web front end for dealerships and companies to put their used cars into the database. They then customise customer facing front end web sites to provide a search facility. The Used Car Locator is a product which interfaces to several in-house and external databases to provide used vehicle details. This was an interim post covering maternity leave. TaskManaging a team of ten, consisting of, business analyst, designers, developers and testers.ActionManaged the team developing and implementing the used car locator applications and services for Honda, Toyota, Subaru and major dealerships.ResultSuccessfully implanted sites and carried out changes to Honda, Toyota, Subaru and major dealerships. Show less

SituationI was initially taken on to implement software and processes, after a yearlong strike by refuse collection services, Leeds council had to set up working practices and procedures agreed through negotiations with the unions for their return to work. After successful implementation of the system I was asked to stay on and manage other projects in the council, such as implementing a payroll system and managing of the implementation of bus lane enforcement cameras.TaskTo work… Show more SituationI was initially taken on to implement software and processes, after a yearlong strike by refuse collection services, Leeds council had to set up working practices and procedures agreed through negotiations with the unions for their return to work. After successful implementation of the system I was asked to stay on and manage other projects in the council, such as implementing a payroll system and managing of the implementation of bus lane enforcement cameras.TaskTo work with council officials, union representatives and business managers to implement systems for refuse collection and route optimisation then move into the implementation of a new payroll system and bus lane enforcement cameras.ActionWorked with an external software company to re-develop collection routes using ESRI ArcGIS, Gazateer and RouteSmart software systems. The system provided was on time and to budget.Managed the £250,000 bus lane enforcement project working with the business, external contractors and ICT to install cameras throughout Leeds city centre and provide a review suit for enforcement officers. Show less

Phase 2 implementation of the Kinetics Guest Rooms and Conferencing software across the whole university campus providing interfaces to WPM (web payments), Planon (via PDA) and Agresso. Linking all modules to allow for correct damage deductions in Agresso financials. Set up a PRINCE2 structured project system using SharePoint server and work flow. Management of both internal developers and external suppliers.

Management of the following projects working with technical architects, analysts, developers, external suppliers and key stakeholders and managing budgets for scoping and implementation:• Implementation of Smart Metering web portal interfaced to npower back end processes for data collection using web services. Management of .NET development resources and designers, working with stakeholders at all levels• Management of On-line billing and bill view applications for the npower web… Show more Management of the following projects working with technical architects, analysts, developers, external suppliers and key stakeholders and managing budgets for scoping and implementation:• Implementation of Smart Metering web portal interfaced to npower back end processes for data collection using web services. Management of .NET development resources and designers, working with stakeholders at all levels• Management of On-line billing and bill view applications for the npower web site.• Implementation of a .NET solution for interfacing customer support pages on the npower web site into the backend database for the in-house developed CRM system.• Liaison with business managers for provision of content and user acceptance testing.• Managing business change for implementing new charging tariffs onto the npower web site. Show less

Management of the following projects:• Companywide implementation of Meeting Room Management software working closely with internal and supplier resources. Managed the complete life cycle of the project and designed a plan to provide key users with training prior to user acceptance testing. Responsible for the monitoring and control of project budget.• Procurement of a new HR system, involved in Request for Information (RFI) and Request for Proposal (RFP).

Worked on a number of IT development projects involving requirements analysis, system design, developer management, supplier management, UAT and roll out. Projects:• Care system for over 75’s closely working with the NHS• Integration of all the winter gritting systems• A landfill statistics system• SQL Server research application

Managed a number of diverse projects in a portfolio of work totalling over £1M, projects where predominantly web based, ranging from upgrading of content management systems to implementing new web sites for both internal and external clients. Working with technical architects and developers to deliver:• Upgrade and Blueprinting of the Tridion content management system which entailed planning the project with the external suppliers, providing resources for testing and data… Show more Managed a number of diverse projects in a portfolio of work totalling over £1M, projects where predominantly web based, ranging from upgrading of content management systems to implementing new web sites for both internal and external clients. Working with technical architects and developers to deliver:• Upgrade and Blueprinting of the Tridion content management system which entailed planning the project with the external suppliers, providing resources for testing and data validation• Implementation of a Google Search server farm for Internet & Intranet using Google Mini.• Implementation of mobile phone text gateway enabling customers to text issues to council• Implementation of the Link HR Systems Pay Modeller and Evaluator software into the HR department of LDL.• Development of a web site and SQL Server clubs database for the Amateur Boxing Association of England (www.abae.org.uk) using both Tridion and SharePoint to provide content. Managing teams from suppliers, content managers the web development team. The web site now attracts over three million visitors annually.• Infrastructure project to implement Corporate eFax and Corporate Wireless solutions Show less

Managed the project to re-develop and rollout a new questionnaire and management information system to 1500 free-lance interviewers across the UK.

Management of an in-house development of a library management system, the system was over budget and delayed for over a year. Having put in place a framework to manage risk, issues and change, the development was brought on plan. The line of attack was to design a change and issue management process where previously it had been a reactive fix, retest iterative process, together with a robust test strategy. The system was being developed in house with J2EE and Oracle technologies. The library… Show more Management of an in-house development of a library management system, the system was over budget and delayed for over a year. Having put in place a framework to manage risk, issues and change, the development was brought on plan. The line of attack was to design a change and issue management process where previously it had been a reactive fix, retest iterative process, together with a robust test strategy. The system was being developed in house with J2EE and Oracle technologies. The library management system was planned to roll out to 36 libraries and 7 mobile libraries and cost approximately £500,000 to complete. The in house development was eventually abandoned in favour of an off the shelf solution, I then managed this through the OJEU tendering process in conjunction with the procurement office. Show less

Managed two infrastructure projects, to implement a new Citrix server farm and a Web Email system for all schools in the Sefton Borough at a cost of approximately £150,000. The Citrix server farm served a number of high profile applications to four of the major departments in Sefton, including Housing and Environmental Protection. The Web Email for schools project will provide access to corporate email systems for 2650 users in 127 schools.Managed a non IT project of £500k to install… Show more Managed two infrastructure projects, to implement a new Citrix server farm and a Web Email system for all schools in the Sefton Borough at a cost of approximately £150,000. The Citrix server farm served a number of high profile applications to four of the major departments in Sefton, including Housing and Environmental Protection. The Web Email for schools project will provide access to corporate email systems for 2650 users in 127 schools.Managed a non IT project of £500k to install alley gates in specified areas of South Sefton, this entailed the management of both internal departments for cleaning, lighting and external contractors for gate manufacture, installation and maintenance, these sub-contractors where organisations made up of ex offender institutes.Set up a Project Management Framework for the Housing Directorate based on the PRINCE2 method.Managed the implementation of a Giro Bank payment system, the system allows council tax payers and rent payers to pay their bills at any post office in the UK using either plastic swipe cards or bar coded bills. The system has been rolled out to approximately 50,000 individuals and businesses throughout the Sefton borough on time and to budget Show less

Set up MBALL Business Solutions to provide IT business solutions to organisations requiring development, design and project management services. The major part of this period was used to design and develop a Project Managers Toolkit. Developed using Microsoft Visual Studio .NET and in particular C#, the toolkit will allow project managers to closely follow the PRINCE2 method whilst keeping all project documentation within one tool.

Situation PWA/Microsoft Business Solutions provided HR and Payroll software solutions to businesses across public, private and NHS organisations (Empower product suit). Task Managed and mentored a team of 4 project managers in the implementation of HR and Payroll products in the northern business region (Coventry to Scotland). The team managed 40 – 50 implementations concurrently varying in size and complexity.Action Personally managed up to 10 concurrent projects with values between… Show more Situation PWA/Microsoft Business Solutions provided HR and Payroll software solutions to businesses across public, private and NHS organisations (Empower product suit). Task Managed and mentored a team of 4 project managers in the implementation of HR and Payroll products in the northern business region (Coventry to Scotland). The team managed 40 – 50 implementations concurrently varying in size and complexity.Action Personally managed up to 10 concurrent projects with values between £40k and £200k, met with customer stakeholders to produce requirements, designed and developed solutions and produced technical specifications. Planned internal developer, consultant and training resources, liaised with customer stakeholders to plan for the implementation of the new system. Worked with other suppliers on the integration of their systems. Defined and monitored policies and procedures, managed client relationships and acted as escalation point for all projects. Managed project team activities to deliver on agreed targets and budget. Communicated and coordinated day-to-day project activities within the project team and ensured that priorities where developed and known. Worked with account managers on pre-sales and tenders.Result Successfully implemented systems on-time and to budget to many organisations including Wrexham Council, Skipton Building Society, Scarborough Building Society and Vision Express.The position was made redundant Show less

• Led a team of 3 contractors and 2 permanent staff in developing project costing software for the consumer market over the complete software lifecycle.• Mentored the team in software development practice and dealt with all disciplinary matters.• Successfully ported DOS based project management software to a Windows platform using Foxpro for Windows.• Coordinated customers and developers in beta testing of software prior to release.• Carried out configuration management of… Show more • Led a team of 3 contractors and 2 permanent staff in developing project costing software for the consumer market over the complete software lifecycle.• Mentored the team in software development practice and dealt with all disciplinary matters.• Successfully ported DOS based project management software to a Windows platform using Foxpro for Windows.• Coordinated customers and developers in beta testing of software prior to release.• Carried out configuration management of software builds.• Coordinated contractors in software testing.• Set up a five user Windows NT network including shared resources and internet access. Show less

• Advising on communications matters and procedures• Planning radio and radio relay communications, involving allocation of frequencies, production of Path Profile Analysis from map surveys and the deployment of resources.• Managing and control the issue of classified documents and equipment• Hardware and Software encryption systems.• Organising and managing unit employment training with particular responsibility for operating trades.• Instructing in such diverse subjects as… Show more • Advising on communications matters and procedures• Planning radio and radio relay communications, involving allocation of frequencies, production of Path Profile Analysis from map surveys and the deployment of resources.• Managing and control the issue of classified documents and equipment• Hardware and Software encryption systems.• Organising and managing unit employment training with particular responsibility for operating trades.• Instructing in such diverse subjects as Communications and radio principles, Antenna Characteristics, Transmission Path Losses, Radio Relay principles, Principles of Telephony, Telegraphy, Multiplexing and Sub-Multiplexing and other related subjects.• Acting as Troop Commander in the day to day management of up to 40 soldiers.• Led a team of four in the day to day running of a joint UNIX and Novell network over the entire School of Signals campus. The network clients where Windows, DOS and UNIX based.• Responsible for training and effectiveness of the team, conflict management and mentoring.• Produced bespoke database applications using 4GL languages such as dBase, DBXL and FoxPro.• Responsible for training and operational effectiveness of a unit of 200 TA soldiers.• Managed large scale secure communications infrastructures both in barracks and over large parts of Germany. These infrastructures where built with secure communications switches over radio relay communications links. Planned the geographic location of these nodes, frequency usage and moved them when necessary to give the best communications possible.• Presentations to Royalty and high ranking officers Show less