Founder of ClearReports, a revolutionary new software platform for online advertising. (www.clear-reports.com)

I created the Group’s in-house online department and was responsible for all international website development and marketing for our three brands: Optical Express, The Dental Clinic and The Cosmetic Clinic.* Recruited programmers to reduce the Group’s costs for web development by 50%. Utilised my contacts in the creative industry to reduce our costs for design by 75% - senior designers in top agencies worked for me on a freelance basis.* Re-designed the Optical Express UK website to improve conversion rate (+33%) and position the brand as a world-leader. Launched local versions in the US, Germany, France, Holland, Ireland and Croatia (see www.opticalexpress.com). Created websites for The Dental Clinic (www.thedentalclinic.com), The Cosmetic Clinic (www.thecosmeticclinic.com) and a corporate website for the Group (group.opticalexpress.com). * Recruited and trained buyers/planners to run online marketing campaigns for all brands, in all countries, using PPC, SEO, Internal CRM Email, External Email Lists, Display, Co-Registration and Affiliate. * Generated leads that resulted in 65% of the Group’s sales for laser eye surgery in the UK/IE/NL and 95% of sales in DE/HR/FR. (Previously online campaigns generated 15% of sales in the UK and 5% in NL/IE)* Controlled an international annual budget of £4m working to a cost per surgery (CPS) on all marketing. * Designed and built two software systems that allowed my buying team to track and report on the ROI of all marketing campaigns. These systems were 100% accurate and integrated with offline IT databases to follow each lead on its journey from the website, through our international call centres to our stores and clinics. Suppliers could login to view their campaigns and were negotiated with based on their results.* Designed and built software for our call centres to prioritise their calls to leads generated online (based on type of lead, marketing source, no. of calls, date of registration etc).

Joined Coltas as official Technical Director and helped grow their online department from three to 13 members in two years with turnover reaching £750k+. My role involved client presentations, sales and technical document writing, cost analysis, and recruiting/training a team of online developers. I was the chief architect behind all software (content management, email marketing and ecommerce) and web development work. Clients included: Dell EMEA, Adidas, McAfee, Digital River, Reid Furniture (UK & Ireland), Cromlix House, Ocean Safety, Harper Macleod, Edinburgh College of Art (ECA), University of Aberdeen, Inver House Distillers and Glasgow City Council. [The online team recently formed a new agency, Bourne - www.wearebourne.com]

Director of start-up technical development firm providing web solutions for five agencies in Scotland: multi-channel advertising (Coltas/Curious Group), graphic design (Good Creative, The Hub, Traffic Design) and dedicated online (Line). As well as development, I also acted as the Technical Director for each agency – present in all client pitches and responsible for writing proposals. Brands included: Dell EMEA, Optical Express, Peel Group (Clydeport and Glasgow Harbour), CCL Compliance, Harper Macleod, Wendland UK, Balfour & Manson, Clarion Events (SECC), Eclectic and C&P Recruitment.

Director of start-up online business funded by Prince’s Scottish Youth Business Trust (PSYBT), Scottish Enterprise and Bank of Scotland. Our website grew to having over 600 corporate customers (including Debenhams, Hilton Hotels and David Lloyd Leisure) and achieved a level of critical success with articles in The Herald and numerous local press. In 2002 merged with Caledonia Marketing and grew to 12 staff.