Senior Infrastructure Engineer

• Jul 2022 - Present

Full lifecycle design, implementation & support of Traffic Management Systems. Working mainly with local authorities & other public bodies to provide enforcement systems for speeding, bus lane infringements, toll roads, etc. Most recent project was the new Clean Air Zone for Bristol, incorporating 47 ANPR/video evidence cameras, links to DVLA systems, remote management outstations & a cloud-based backend. Full lifecycle design, implementation & support of Traffic Management Systems. Working mainly with local authorities & other public bodies to provide enforcement systems for speeding, bus lane infringements, toll roads, etc. Most recent project was the new Clean Air Zone for Bristol, incorporating 47 ANPR/video evidence cameras, links to DVLA systems, remote management outstations & a cloud-based backend.

IT Manager

• Mar 2021 - Apr 2023

IT Support Senior Manager

• Sep 2020 - Mar 2021

Discovered, documented, secured & gained control of a diverse set of IT environments, both internal and at customer sites. Recruited and trained an entirely new 5-strong Technical Support team, to support the IT systems & infrastructure of around 400 companies. Introduced a new RMM tool to proactively monitor, protect and patch all systems. Specialised in hosting customer applications (CRM, ERP, Accounting etc) in a ‘private cloud’, and Office 365 solutions. Established onsite & offsite replication of backups for key customers. Introduced scheduled DR testing. Show less

IT Manager

• Jul 2014 - Sep 2020

Managing the internal systems & strategy of a major player in the greetings card industry. Managing the internal systems & strategy of a major player in the greetings card industry.

Technical Consultant

• Apr 2012 - Jun 2014

Designed, implementied& supported Document Management Systems for large insurance companies including Zurich & Axa Designed, implementied& supported Document Management Systems for large insurance companies including Zurich & Axa

IT Operations Team Leader

• May 2011 - Apr 2012

I managed a team providing IT operations support to internal systems & infrastructure, and responding to escalated support requests from direct customers and resellers. I managed a team providing IT operations support to internal systems & infrastructure, and responding to escalated support requests from direct customers and resellers.

Operations Manager

• Jan 2011 - Feb 2011

I was the Operations Manager, leading the technical support & implementation teams for a short time until the financial position of the company became clear. Putting your servers into the 'cloud' and then not being able to pay the internet bill isn't the best way to do things.... I was the Operations Manager, leading the technical support & implementation teams for a short time until the financial position of the company became clear. Putting your servers into the 'cloud' and then not being able to pay the internet bill isn't the best way to do things....

Business Platform Engineer

• Nov 2010 - Jan 2011

Subcontracted from BT Engage IT, I worked on projects based around the front-end management tools (eg ClientNet) used by Messagelabs customers. I set up the pilot infrastructure to enable Symantec to sell Messagelabs functionality via the web. Subcontracted from BT Engage IT, I worked on projects based around the front-end management tools (eg ClientNet) used by Messagelabs customers. I set up the pilot infrastructure to enable Symantec to sell Messagelabs functionality via the web.

Senior IT Officer

• Feb 2010 - Dec 2010

3rd line support in the Business Transformation & Technology department 3rd line support in the Business Transformation & Technology department

Technical Team Lead, Wintel Systems

• Sep 2007 - Jan 2010

Managed the server support team responsible for all Windows, Citrix & vmWare servers across the EU estate (approx 800 servers & 38 sites over the UK and mainland Europe) Managed the server support team responsible for all Windows, Citrix & vmWare servers across the EU estate (approx 800 servers & 38 sites over the UK and mainland Europe)

ICT Manager

• Apr 2004 - May 2007

This position required me to fulfil two main roles; on a day-to-day level I was responsible for administering & maintaining the corporate network across three sites in the West Bromwich area, while I also had the strategic responsibility for designing, specifying & implementing the ICT infrastructure for The Public Building, a prestigious £53.9m project spearheading the regeneration of the Sandwell area. My responsibilities included the following: • Hands-on management of a three-site wide area network utilising Cisco VPN technology & a redundant Active Directory • Hands-on management of multiple-server Microsoft Windows 2000/2003-based local area networks on each site, incorporating Exchange, SQL Server & IIS as well as ancillary services such as backup, anti-virus/anti-spam facilities, centralised patch management, etc. Two of the LANs also include Apple Mac workstations in addition to the ubiquitous Windows machines & PDAs. • Evaluation of new products & technologies for use within The Public Building; for example the use of VMware Server to reduce the server population required. • Direct management of the Orange Office Freedom system, which provided ‘push’ email & document-access facilities to remote users with smart-phones or PDA’s. Later migration to the Blackberry BES system. • Management of the Technical Support department, & provision of higher-level support when necessary. • Working alongside external consultants to design the ICT infrastructure (network, SAN & IP telephony) for the unique challenges of the new building; evaluation of tenders, & implementation. • Evaluation of tenders, followed by selection & implementation of the new business applications (ticketing/box office, CRM, ecommerce, etc) required by The Public Building. Show less

Technical Consultant

• Sep 1999 - Apr 2004

• Managed Microsoft, Novell, Citrix and Unix networks on approximately 400 customer sites distributed all over the UK, via both remote connections and site visits as required. • Installed networks of the types listed above, and carried out migrations from one operating system to another on both servers and desktop PCs. • Installed, upgraded, maintained & supported customer implementations of the Swan, Infor:32 and Infor:COM ERP Systems • Represented the company on technical matters at project board meetings with customers. • Provided consultancy services on all technical matters, but with particular reference to hardware and networking (especially server hardware configuration, NetWare, Citrix & Microsoft operating systems and Oracle/SQL Server databases) • Provided pre & post-sales advice to both customers & internal sales staff • Provided internal level 3 support for Infor: Business Solutions as required. • Liased with technical staff at partner companies including Microsoft and Sage • Provided formal and informal training courses on all supported network operating systems • Provided emergency technical assistance to customer sites at short notice • Developed ad-hoc utilities as needed • Deputised for the Technical Support Manager in his absence Successful projects while in this position included: • Technical implementations of ERP solutions for companies including BMW, Rolls-Royce and Sega • The successful migration of dozens of companies such as Plastic Engineering to newer technologies & operating systems; in this example from Unix with VT220 terminals to a Windows 2000 network • The application of disaster recovery procedures to ensure business continuity at crisis-hit sites, such as the fire at Renthal Ltd. Show less

Operations Manager / Coordinator

• 1997 - 1999

My role at GCC was in many ways very similar to that at Infor:, with the exception that the company did not develop its own software but instead worked with industry-standard products to provide IT solutions. I was also responsible for the management of the technical support department While working in this role I : • Managed a team of 8 technical support staff, providing support on networks, operating systems and standard office applications including the Sage accounting range • Analysed customer requirements and specified appropriate solutions • Configured/standardised builds for server, desktop and networking hardware • Installed and patched operating systems including NetWare, Windows (server and workstation) and Citrix, plus applications including Microsoft Office and Sage Accounts • Provided Facilities management for customer sites • Provided third-line support for all issues not resolvable by the technical support team. Show less

Database Manager

• 1995 - 1997

• Developed an internal database to analyse patient treatment within the county, which was selected as the starting point for the later regional system. • Represented Gloucestershire at the design stage of a standard data model / repository for the South-Western region of the NHS. • Managed the local implementation and customisation of the system, and ensured the accuracy & relevancy of the data received. • Developed some front-end applications, and advised on the design of others. • Managed and optimised the SQL Server system on which the data warehouse was based. In addition to these primary functions, I also advised on projects within the Health Authority concerned with connection to the NHSnet including evaluation, selection & implementation of firewalls & external email/data connections. My time in this role coincided with the introduction of PRINCE to the NHS and, although not formally trained in the methodology, most of my projects at this time were implemented using some aspects of it. Show less

IT Operations Manager

• 1992 - 1995

• Implemented and managed a heterogeneous single-login network incorporating best-of-breed solutions running on NetWare, Concurrent DOS, OS/2, Windows, Windows NT and UNIX with links to remote sites via X25 & the Internet. • Purchased, installed and maintained computer hardware and software • Researched and evaluated new products that might be required for specific projects. • Provided training, user support and 'Help Desk' support facilities to all users and for all applications, operating systems and hardware in use by the organisation, liaising with suppliers as necessary. • Monitored maintenance contracts & software licenses, and safeguarded against unauthorised access & virus infection. • Produced Management Information in relevant formats. • Managed support staff. • Worked closely with consultants, contractors and third-party organisations to specify & deliver reliable systems to meet local & national requirements • Ensured that all ICT systems and applications integrated with each other to provide a single coherent resource. For example, despite having to run a mixture of NetWare, Windows NT, OS2 and three different versions of Unix servers in order to meet operational requirements, this was transparent to the user; each system was simply another application on their desktop. • Ran a rolling replacement programme for all ICT equipment, arranging varying levels of maintenance contracts for the different types of hardware based on mission-criticality and age. • Documented of all aspects of the ICT infrastructure, & operational procedures • Developed in-house MIS applications, and represented the organisation in regional development programmes. Show less

Development Officer

• 1989 - 1992

• Managed the departmental NetWare 2.0 network. • Provided training and 'help desk' facilities. • Designed & implemented database and Management Information Systems. • Installed & maintained computer hardware & software. • Produced reports in various formats as required by the department. • Analysed population movement, birth-rate, housing developments, etc., to forecast demand for school places throughout the county.• Processed returns to the Department of Education & Science.• Administrated the Schools Small Building Improvements Programme, with an annual budget of approximately £500,000 Show less

Publicity Officer

• 1988 - 1989

• Automated Bus Timetable and publicity leaflet production• Installed & maintained computer hardware & software• Managed a NetWare 2.2 network. • Provided training and 'help desk' facilities.

Analyst / Programmer

• 1987 - 1988

Developed a database/analysis tool enabling the Education Dept to comply with government legislation on compulsory competitive tendering of school cleaning contracts, etc.

Computer Sales Manager

• 1983 - 1987

• Provided Sales, ordering and stock control functions. • Provided after-sales service. • Supervised up to 15 staff. • Provided Sales, ordering and stock control functions. • Provided after-sales service. • Supervised up to 15 staff.