My current key role is to ensure that customers that are planning to transition their customer facing IT systems to cloud services are provided with the necessary guidance and support. In the process I work closely with cloud service providers to ensure proper deployment of services are in place including integration with on premise services, development of relevant processes and procedures as well as contract and vendor management.

Responsible for managing the firm’s IT operations to ensure the delivery of agreed level of IT services and provide strategic directions that support business objectives.Key initiatives include:» Plan, control and direct all national IT operations, to support key business strategies of increased market share and capability improvement.» Lead strategic upgrade projects delivering a sophisticated IT service that has consolidated five independent offices into a standardised ‘firm of one’, achieving significant savings whilst improving service delivery» Manage strategic relationships with external entities, ensuring all stakeholders are consulted regarding systems and business requirements for new technology and economies of scale are leveraged» Lead, motivate and empower a team of 20 professional IT staff, ensuring exceptional team and individual performance are always delivered» Initiate and implement change through championing excellence in service provision, consolidation and standardisation whilst simultaneously delivering significant cost savings and decreased operating expenditure» Undertake budget management activities that always meet and often exceed ambitious stretch targets» Expertly manage business as usual, significantly decreasing unplanned outages, increasing case management and throughput and driving standardisation throughout the firm, including implementing a standard operating environment, instant and unified messaging and collaboration, achieving a ‘firm of one’ culture» Key member of the prestigious Grant Thornton International IT Advisory Committee ensuring IT is totally aligned with business strategies and goals and is involved in the planning process from the outset for all 100+ member firms

Responsible for managing the implementation & operation of technologies related to the company's core services offerings.Achievements include» Planned and managed the merger of 3 companies’ complex IT Infrastructure (MDS, Cube Financial, Bourse Data) resulting in the elimination of duplicate services, implementation of SOE across the group, and improved corporate governance and standards.» Planned and led the implementation of a new online Market Data delivery system which added another component to our customer offering through delivery of real time financial data from international markets.» Planned and managed the consolidation of IT Infrastructure resources through virtualization (VMware) which resulted in operational cost savings of 30% per annum.» Implemented Release/Change Management processes based on ITIL framework across the group which reduced the number of post implementation incidents by 60%.» Planned and led the implementation of new Service Quality Management processes based on ITIL Framework which allowed for greater efficiency in monitoring, measuring and ensuring superior quality of service for business-critical applications.» Managed the implementation of group wide Business Continuity Plan which involved the implementation of secondary data centre clustered solution which provides near 100% uptime for service delivery.» Designed and managed the implementation of a common platform for email and collaboration services based on Exchange 2007 and SharePoint Services which greatly improved group wide communication.» Developed staff to higher levels of performance, with increased responsibility and accountability, through internal and external training as well as coaching and mentoring.

Responsible for managing the company global IT Infrastructure define future infrastructure plans and provide strategic directions, support and project services in order to ensure delivery of the agreed level of IT services.Achievements include:» Planned and led the implementation of the company core network upgrade from NT4 to Windows 2000 and later on to Windows 2003 Active Directory platform.» Planned and led the implementation of new Service Delivery processes based on ITIL framework including Configuration Management, Incident/Problem Management, Change Management and Release Management. » Implemented proactive server and network monitoring system based on the HP Openview platform, which significantly improved system availability, capacity management and ultimately end user experience.» Implemented server virtualization for non critical business processes reducing the number of servers and ultimately reducing maintenance and support costs by 40%.» Designed and implemented failover, high availability architecture for core IT Infrastructure components which allowed the company to move towards 24x7 global operations. » Developed staff to higher levels of performance, with increased responsibility and accountability, through internal and external training as well as coaching and mentoring. » Achieved company wide recognition for the most cohesive and high-performing team.