Make Architects is an international architecture practice, founded in 2004 by Ken Shuttleworth, with a team of architects and interior and urban designers in London, Hong Kong and Sydney.Appointed to the Head of IT to lead the turnaround of a previously failing and dysfunctional IT department, creating a support framework aligned with expanding international business needs.➤ Oversaw the provision of business-critical IT services and support for 170+ users globally, with additional remit for providing IT support for site/build offices, aiding construction project delivery.➤ Thought leadership for technology and IT issues, influencing business strategy and aligning IT with long-term goals. Acted as a ‘trusted advisor’ on IT, reporting to the CEO & presenting to the board.➤ Project management including the implementation of a complex AV setup in the new head office, Sky for Business as a centralised messaging platform, Office 365 and migration to Exchange Online.➤ Vendor and supplier management, including working with Darktrace (Cyber security partner), Softcat and CAE (supplier of IT services), Mimecast (email), and Netapp (Storage provider).➤ Introduced a ‘hybrid’ working policy which led the business through the Covid-19, maintaining the firm’s position as a ‘top-30’ architectural practice and protecting £20m+ annual turnover.

Responsible for all aspects of IT leadership, tasked with build-out of an IT function to fully-support the UK’s leading breast cancer charity’s plan to increase revenue base, while driving research spend.➤ Established a robust IT governance framework, led the creation and execution of the organisation's first IT strategy, leading a team of six providing support across offices in London and Scotland. ➤ Focused on stabilising and modernising infrastructure and the wider IT environment, introducing new technologies and migrating legacy infrastructure to a hosted data centre facility.➤ Key member of the senior management team, advising on the adoption of new technology and IT solutions, inspiring business to promote technology as a driver through continuous improvement.➤ Drove major efficiency gains whilst reducing costs via change initiatives including transformation of inter-site communications via the introduction of cisco video conferences and MS Lync 2013. ➤ Undertook an in-depth review of security, identifying and mitigating security flaws, hardening overall Cybersecurity and introducing a Disaster Recovery (DR) plan to ensure ongoing business continuity.

Responsible for overseeing IT operations, spearheading technology opportunities and driving a real focus on strategy innovation, setting the direction for IT, aligned with evolving business needs.➤ Acted as a ‘trusted advisor’ on IT and technology, reporting directly to the CEO; managed a budget of £3M and a multi-functional team of 9+ IT staff, including collaboration with vendors and suppliers. ➤ Focused on driving key projects for the business, maximising operational efficiency through solutions accurately mapped with agreed business processes, resulting in robust, reliable and secure solutions.➤ Co-ordinated Group Infrastructure and Support Operations during a secondment to Ebiquity Group, ensuring competitive landscape while maintaining awareness of new trends and technologies.

Responsible for all aspects of IT management, encompassing business-critical IT services delivery, high-performing infrastructure, networking, end user support, communications and web maintenance. ➤ Oversaw strategy setting and implementation, budget control, development support, recruitment, communications and telecoms in line with SLAs, closely aligning technology with business objectives.➤ Key projects included: setup network and comms from the ground-up; introduced time-saving in-house database applications; implemented the Signiant file delivery system, a new SharePoint-based intranet and helpdesk system for IT users.➤ Successfully provided Signiant support to MTV for the prestigious European Music Awards (EMA).