As the Director of Infrastructure for the EMEA North region at Avolta (formerly known as Dufry), I lead a talented team in implementing and managing innovative IT solutions. My primary focus is on enhancing our infrastructure to support the company's growth and operational efficiency. This role involves strategic planning, overseeing infrastructure projects, and ensuring the seamless integration of new technologies to drive continuous improvement and excellence within the organisation.

IT infrastructure Manager is a challenging hands-on technical/management role and responsible for managing IT technologies and a group of technical IT Infrastructure personnel, developing and establishing IT infrastructure standards and procedures, and assigns work to the Infrastructure team and the analysis, design, deployment, and operations of IT software and hardware systems supporting the business. work closely with the IT management team and business units to ensure alignment with the business objectives.Responsibilities Include: • Oversee all aspects of IT department operations including IT infrastructure, Communication (LAN, WAN, email, etc.), backup recovery and regulatory compliance.• Manage the day-to-day operations of the IT group including downtime, reporting service levels, defining and tracking IT operational metrics and provide status to management• Ensures high availability of critical business systems hosted by the IT.• Owns and maintains strict controls on data/system backups and desaster recovery.• Manage staff members in their daily activities as well as supporting business projects• Develop and manage relationships with vendors and IT suppliers.• Manage overall capacity utilization of Server/hardware environment ensuring it is optimized to meet business requirements

Responsible for management, design and support of the voice and data network for Alpha worldwide. The network extends to 62 locations comprising a Cisco based voice and data network including Avaya and Meridian telephone switches.Key Achievements:• Led a 2 year project to completely redesign of the global WAN from initial concepts through to global implementations. Included migration of existing services to new providers and set up of over 35 new locations. Cost savings on dial up charges alone amounted to over 90K GBP per year.• Set up new 200 user office in Manchester including design and implementation of the data network and installation of a new Avaya telephone system.• Implemented a number of in-house configured Ipsec VPN tunnels in order to achieve reduced cost of ownership.• Won an internal company award, Alpha Heroes 2006 for going the extra mile on a number of initiatives.

Responsible for the management and administration of windows and Unix servers, SCO UNIX Network and DNS for all systems across Europe. This included carrying out administration functions, hardware and software configuration and maintenance and implementation of new systems. Provided desktop support for over 80 users throughout Europe.Key Achievements:• Led a complete transition of all services from London to Cambridge due to closure of the London offices.

Responsible for the administration of a global sixty server SCO UNIX Network. This included carrying out all administration functions, hardware and software configuration and maintenance and implementation of new systems. Installed Unix systems at Alpha locations throughout the UK and the US. Also responsible for the provision of desktop support for over 200 users in a Microsoft, Lotus and Novel environment. Was selected to travel to United States for four weeks to set up a new computer system and train staff on behalf of Alpha at Orlando International Airport.