Head of IT & Information Security Officer

• Oct 2019 - Present

I am accountable for overseeing all facets of IT operations, serving as the head of an IT department with a team of 11, including Infrastructure, Enterprise Applications, Service Desk, and IT Training. My responsibilities include cyber security, managing the IT budget (£1 million), planning, and managing the firms IT strategy, and delivery and policies. I collaborate closely with the board, senior partners, and peer group members to ensure technology requirements are evaluated and meet fully to the business requirements. Having strong supplier management also helps keep me up to date and allows me to deliver appropriate solutions to the business benefit.Recent undertakings include:• Continually managing the cyber treat landscape and manging a programme of guidance and information our people.• Present quarterly cyber security updates to the board.• Ensure the IT service support a hybrid working model.• Co-chairing the innovations focus group to help identifying business requirements.• Create, develop, and implement an IT business plan and roadmap with regular updates to the board.• Responsible for the containing maintenance of the firm’s ISO 27001 and Cyber Essentials Plus accreditation.• Modernising the phone system including chat messaging, softphones, and video conferencing. • Move services to the Microsoft 365 Azure cloud such as the intranet, Exchange email systems and Microsoft Teams for collaboration.• Measure the skills available in the teams and address gaps with knowledge sharing and training.• Review and maintain an efficient and effective operational IT processes and policies to ensure they reflect industry best practice and relevant laws and regulations and ensure that the IT team adhere to them. • Recent modernisation of Microsoft Exchange online, VisualFiles, SOS, Microsoft 365, Azure and iManage Work/FileSite, • Support, coach and encourage the training and development of individuals within the team. Show less

Acting Head Of Information Technology

• Jun 2019 - Oct 2019

IT Manager

• Mar 2017 - May 2019

The requirement of this role was to modernise the IT infrastructure and desktop experience. I have overall management of the IT team to ensure a high level of support is provided to all members of staff. The teams consist of the service desk, infrastructure, training and development/business Intelligence. Since joining, I have formed an infrastructure team as well as mentoring three IT apprentices. Achievements include:• Transition of managed service provider including the employment and insourcing of an infrastructure team.• Project manage the replacement of infrastructure which included Cisco USC, Cisco switching, VMware hypervisor and HPE Nimble Storage.• Introduction of new data backup process which included moving away from a managed service to an in house hardware solution.• Desktop hardware and software over hall including the introduction of Windows 10 and creating a single standard streamlined build/image for all hardware models.• Transition of Citrix to Microsoft’s RDS• Introduction and delivering “Security Essentials Plus” accreditation for the last three years.• Being key member of the ISO 27001 team.• Delivering a new digital dictation solution (Bighand).• Introduce supporting technology for agile working• Chairing the IT User group• Introduced a technical lead to products to give team motivation and product support.• Working with a team to ensure all process and technology are GDPR compliant Show less

IT Manager

• Oct 2015 - Mar 2017

Reporting to the COO, my position of IT Manager had ultimate responsibility for all aspects of the IT function. I manage the technical infrastructure, software, licensing, services desk and networks. I provide strategic recommendations and assist the COO to ensure the IT services are up to date with the latest trends in the legal market. Recent projects include: • I introduced an ITSM tool which enabled tracking of SLA’s and service/software KPI’s. • Testing and updating the business continuity and disaster recovery plan. • Worked with the business and suppler to improve and update iManage platform for a more reliable user experience. • Introduce Nuance ecopy which enabled an improved ingestion of documents into iManage. • Upgrade Bighand digital dictation to keep in compliance with licensing and support. • Host security awareness presentations with assistance and train the trainer support from Barclays. • Introduce an IT Focus Group to learn where pain points are and create project and problem sponsors outside of IT. • Review and challenge annual software maintenance and support contracts. Show less

Infrastructure Team Leader

• Oct 2013 - Oct 2015

My role manages the Infrastructure fourth line engineering team delivering strategy, deployment and operational support globally.I was primarily responsible for the server hardware, operating systems, virtualisation, storage and backup platforms globally. Clyde & Co have approximately 45 sites ranging from small server rooms to large dedicated data centres support approximately 3500 users. The role involved working closely with colleagues across Technical Services, the Service Desk and wider business in delivering critical IT services while following ITIL guidelines.As team leader I had the following responsibilities: • Responsible for the team workloads• Responsible for server hardware and software for all sites• Responsible for storage (SAN) hardware with supporting software• Manage third party contracts and transition (e.g. hardware break fix)• Create proposals and project mandates• Manage project to timelines and budgets• Run recruitment process for permanent and contract staff• Carry out annual appraisals and personal development plans.• Sign off and allocation budget spend• Manage relationships with suppliers and vendors.• Manage overtime and team rota's• Create, maintain and sign off documentation, standards and support materials• Understanding the business need and how IT can support the requirements.Achievements• Brought soft skills to the role were they were lacking before which boosted moral and increased productivity• Gave the team key responsibilities to give them ownership within the team• Implemented and explain RACI methods • Managed the implementation of global hardware monitoring and break fix processes with third party Show less

3rd Line Systems Engineer

• Aug 2012 - Oct 2013

My primarily responsibilities were supporting and developing of the firm’s global Active Directory and VMware virtualisation estate. This included general BAU work as well as project work. One of my highlights was a office opening where I installed all IT services within a tight time frame.My main responsibilities were: Manage the Active Directory and VMware estate globally, setting standards, policies and processes.Ensure systems are scalable and flexible to meet business demands. Are appropriately licenced and have manufacturer and reseller warranties in place.Work with vendors to ensure the services offered are appropriate for the business and commercially sound.Create and maintain documentation for systems and services.Provide highly specialised technical expertise to support and maintain the Active Directory and VMware platforms globally and have awareness of the associated infrastructures.Ensure systems are resilient and scalable to meet the demands of the business.Ensuring Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity Plans are updated, documented and tested accordingly. Show less

International Change and Communications Manager

• Sep 2008 - Aug 2012

I was promoted to International Change Manager at Withers after being a Engineer there. I was responsible for creating a ITIL based change process that had previously lacked. This involved communicating with the business and IT teams across our international offices. This new process was successfully implements with quarterly reviews and reports to assist in smooth running.

European Systems Analyst

• Sep 2006 - Aug 2008

I am the global technical lead in Virtualisation (VMware). My responsibilities include designing, installing and support the virtualisation platform for Withers. I worked on BAU tasks such as escalated services desks calls and helping collogues where i could as well as being assigned to project work.

Network Analyst

• Sep 2004 - Sep 2006

Microsoft/Vmware Server Engineer

• Apr 2004 - Sep 2004

Monitor all Windows Servers guesting running on VMware ESX hosting Ford, Volvo, Jaguar, Ford Motor Sport and Land Rover websites. Monitor all Windows Servers guesting running on VMware ESX hosting Ford, Volvo, Jaguar, Ford Motor Sport and Land Rover websites.