David Bennett
Director Of Information Technology at Birkett Long- Claim this Profile
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Bio
Moh Gangat
I first worked with David in 2016, it was clear that he is a passionate technologist that takes in to account all aspects business and operations. He has a proactive and positive approach to staff, promoting them to be free thinkers and bringing concepts and ideas to the table. No afraid to get involved and roll his sleeves up he leads by example and help teams grow. Defining a strategic approach to an environment with target goals and applying that strategy to phased programmes and empowering his team to do the same. A technical evangelist who promotes a positive approach to ensuring technology is an enabler to the environment and the team.
Steve Latter
David is one of the few visionary technology leaders in the Professional Services sector, never failing to challenge the status quo. In the many years I have known David he has always led from the front rather than following the crowd towards the ‘next shinny thing’. Whilst others are comfortable keeping up with the Jones’ implementing the same old systems, David forges his own path based on selecting the best technology for the job in hand.
Sean Roberts
Dave looks at things through a perspective many are unable to see, and as such, he’s able to provide direct, succinct and effective insights to help streamline a business’s projects and operations. I’ve worked with Dave over many years in various guises and I’ve always found him to consistently demonstrate the value of hard work and hands on leadership. If you’re looking for a change agent to come in and disrupt the status quo, then I would fully recommend Dave to you and your organisation.
Moh Gangat
I first worked with David in 2016, it was clear that he is a passionate technologist that takes in to account all aspects business and operations. He has a proactive and positive approach to staff, promoting them to be free thinkers and bringing concepts and ideas to the table. No afraid to get involved and roll his sleeves up he leads by example and help teams grow. Defining a strategic approach to an environment with target goals and applying that strategy to phased programmes and empowering his team to do the same. A technical evangelist who promotes a positive approach to ensuring technology is an enabler to the environment and the team.
Steve Latter
David is one of the few visionary technology leaders in the Professional Services sector, never failing to challenge the status quo. In the many years I have known David he has always led from the front rather than following the crowd towards the ‘next shinny thing’. Whilst others are comfortable keeping up with the Jones’ implementing the same old systems, David forges his own path based on selecting the best technology for the job in hand.
Sean Roberts
Dave looks at things through a perspective many are unable to see, and as such, he’s able to provide direct, succinct and effective insights to help streamline a business’s projects and operations. I’ve worked with Dave over many years in various guises and I’ve always found him to consistently demonstrate the value of hard work and hands on leadership. If you’re looking for a change agent to come in and disrupt the status quo, then I would fully recommend Dave to you and your organisation.
Moh Gangat
I first worked with David in 2016, it was clear that he is a passionate technologist that takes in to account all aspects business and operations. He has a proactive and positive approach to staff, promoting them to be free thinkers and bringing concepts and ideas to the table. No afraid to get involved and roll his sleeves up he leads by example and help teams grow. Defining a strategic approach to an environment with target goals and applying that strategy to phased programmes and empowering his team to do the same. A technical evangelist who promotes a positive approach to ensuring technology is an enabler to the environment and the team.
Steve Latter
David is one of the few visionary technology leaders in the Professional Services sector, never failing to challenge the status quo. In the many years I have known David he has always led from the front rather than following the crowd towards the ‘next shinny thing’. Whilst others are comfortable keeping up with the Jones’ implementing the same old systems, David forges his own path based on selecting the best technology for the job in hand.
Sean Roberts
Dave looks at things through a perspective many are unable to see, and as such, he’s able to provide direct, succinct and effective insights to help streamline a business’s projects and operations. I’ve worked with Dave over many years in various guises and I’ve always found him to consistently demonstrate the value of hard work and hands on leadership. If you’re looking for a change agent to come in and disrupt the status quo, then I would fully recommend Dave to you and your organisation.
Moh Gangat
I first worked with David in 2016, it was clear that he is a passionate technologist that takes in to account all aspects business and operations. He has a proactive and positive approach to staff, promoting them to be free thinkers and bringing concepts and ideas to the table. No afraid to get involved and roll his sleeves up he leads by example and help teams grow. Defining a strategic approach to an environment with target goals and applying that strategy to phased programmes and empowering his team to do the same. A technical evangelist who promotes a positive approach to ensuring technology is an enabler to the environment and the team.
Steve Latter
David is one of the few visionary technology leaders in the Professional Services sector, never failing to challenge the status quo. In the many years I have known David he has always led from the front rather than following the crowd towards the ‘next shinny thing’. Whilst others are comfortable keeping up with the Jones’ implementing the same old systems, David forges his own path based on selecting the best technology for the job in hand.
Sean Roberts
Dave looks at things through a perspective many are unable to see, and as such, he’s able to provide direct, succinct and effective insights to help streamline a business’s projects and operations. I’ve worked with Dave over many years in various guises and I’ve always found him to consistently demonstrate the value of hard work and hands on leadership. If you’re looking for a change agent to come in and disrupt the status quo, then I would fully recommend Dave to you and your organisation.
Experience
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Birkett Long
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United Kingdom
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Law Practice
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100 - 200 Employee
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Director Of Information Technology
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Feb 2022 - Present
Responsible for defining and implementing the firm’s IT Strategy, firm wide projects and the day-to-day management of the infrastructure and third-party support services. • Improved security - implemented MFA across the firm, thereby obtaining Cyber Essentials Plus Accreditation enhanced the Office 365 environment with solutions such as Arctic Wolf and Tessian. • Implemented new backup and disaster recovery solutions. • Standardised the delivery and on-going maintenance of the end user’s devices and applications. • Outsourced IT support services. • Implemented desk and room booking solution, including new AV solutions, and information screens promoting ‘Agile Working’ across the firm. • Migrating to a ‘hybrid cloud', reducing the complexity of the environment. • Upgrading the firm’s wide, local and wireless networks implementations across all offices. • Replacing the traditional phone systems and web conferencing solutions with a Microsoft Teams/Dialpad solution. • Implementing a new Marketing solution – NexlCRM. • Re-implementing the Document Management System (NetDocuments). Show less
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Change Harbour Ltd
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Legal Services
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1 - 100 Employee
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Director
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Feb 2020 - Present
Independent consultant delivering solutions to the legal industry combining the innovative use of technology, business process analysis, sourcing strategies and organisational design. Independent consultant delivering solutions to the legal industry combining the innovative use of technology, business process analysis, sourcing strategies and organisational design.
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Corsaire Consulting
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Chelmsford, England, United Kingdom
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Chief Technology Officer | Consultant | IT Director
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May 2010 - Feb 2022
Independent consultant providing interim management, advice and support in the areas of IT strategy, business consulting, process improvements, managed services, programme and project management, working alongside a diverse range of businesses across the UK and Europe. Independent consultant providing interim management, advice and support in the areas of IT strategy, business consulting, process improvements, managed services, programme and project management, working alongside a diverse range of businesses across the UK and Europe.
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Mazars in the UK
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United Kingdom
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Accounting
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700 & Above Employee
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Chief Technology Officer
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Jan 2017 - Jul 2019
Designed and implemented the firm’s IT Strategy and responsible for the day-to-day management of the IT department, supporting 2500 users in 17 regional and 6 international offices – managing the firm-wide IT budget (£14 Million). As CTO, I defined and managed the implementation of a range of core infrastructure projects: • Restructured the IT department and operational roles within Human Resources, Finance and Marketing–introducing managed service providers to improve support and develop business opportunities • Migrated the firm's ‘on-premise' IT systems to a ‘hybrid cloud' environment, enabling the firm to shut down primary and secondary data centres • Replaced the firm’s local area network and wireless implementations across all regional offices and implemented an ‘SD-WAN’ solution throughout the firm, halving the cost of the existing infrastructure • Replaced the traditional phone systems and web conferencing solution with a Microsoft Teams solution • Standardised the delivery and on-going maintenance of the end user’s devices and applications • Replaced the firm’s desktop printer and print room solution, reducing operational costs by £1 Million • Defined and managed the implementation of a new Document Management System (M-files) • Introduced ‘Agile working’ and consolidated the services of independent business units – spearheading a cultural change initiative that allowed all members of staff to work remotely and have the ability to access the firm’s IT systems and applications Show less
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BDO UK LLP
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United Kingdom
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Accounting
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700 & Above Employee
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Chief Technology Officer (Interim)
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May 2016 - Jan 2017
Responsible for the development of the firm’s IT Strategy, project and application development activities and the day-to-day management of the IT department, leading a team of 90 FTEs: • Restructured the IT department (responsibilities, job grades and salaries) and introduced managed service providers to support and develop internal staff • Introduced departmental budgeting together with project and vendor management processes, allowing the firm to identify key business and operational programs of work • Defined and secured funding for the replacement of the firm’s printer fleet - 140 devices • Implemented ITIL based processes and procedures across IT, Facilities, Human Resources, Risk and Compliance and two client-facing desks (Using ServiceNow - £250k, 6 months) • Defined the mobile workforce strategy which included mobiles, laptops, applications, and support solutions Show less
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Inframon, an Ensono Company
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United Kingdom
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IT Services and IT Consulting
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1 - 100 Employee
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Program Manager
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Mar 2016 - May 2016
Oversaw the day-to-day operational management of two support teams - End User Compute (the delivery of management solutions centred around Microsoft’s System Centre Configuration Manager and Enterprise Mobility Suite) and Service Delivery (responsible for taking engagements from sales through to delivery and into support). Oversaw the day-to-day operational management of two support teams - End User Compute (the delivery of management solutions centred around Microsoft’s System Centre Configuration Manager and Enterprise Mobility Suite) and Service Delivery (responsible for taking engagements from sales through to delivery and into support).
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VESK Ltd
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London, United Kingdom
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Information Technology Operations Manager
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May 2015 - Mar 2016
Managed the day-to-day operational support of VESK’s support function (c400 multiple-sector clients and c6000 seats) and developed existing and potential client relationships, promoting cloud computing solutions and cross-selling services and applications. Managed the day-to-day operational support of VESK’s support function (c400 multiple-sector clients and c6000 seats) and developed existing and potential client relationships, promoting cloud computing solutions and cross-selling services and applications.
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Musa Dudhia & Co.
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Zambia
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Law Practice
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1 - 100 Employee
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Implementation Consultant
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Jan 2016 - Feb 2016
Defined an IT Strategy and recommended a Practice Management Solution for a 35-user law firm based in Zambia. The project included the implementation of new Finance and Know-How solutions. Oversaw the implementation of a cloud-based IT infrastructure, managing local suppliers to implement and provide on-going support. Defined an IT Strategy and recommended a Practice Management Solution for a 35-user law firm based in Zambia. The project included the implementation of new Finance and Know-How solutions. Oversaw the implementation of a cloud-based IT infrastructure, managing local suppliers to implement and provide on-going support.
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Olswang - (Now CMS)
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United Kingdom
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Law Practice
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1 - 100 Employee
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Information Technology Operations Manager
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Apr 2014 - Feb 2015
Responsible for the day-to-day management of the firm’s IT support and training groups, which included a team of 25 FTEs along with a mix of 3rd party companies, supporting 900 users in 8 international offices. Developed the business cases for £2m worth of investments and managed their implementation. Responsible for the day-to-day management of the firm’s IT support and training groups, which included a team of 25 FTEs along with a mix of 3rd party companies, supporting 900 users in 8 international offices. Developed the business cases for £2m worth of investments and managed their implementation.
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Thomson Snell & Passmore LLP
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United Kingdom
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Law Practice
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200 - 300 Employee
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Director Of Information Technology
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May 2010 - Apr 2014
Responsible for the development and operational support of the IT systems used at a 220-user regional law firm- defined and implemented the firm's ongoing cloud computing-based IT Strategy, restructured the support services (IT and locally within the practice), introduced managed service providers and redefining core business processes. Following the collapse of the primary cloud supplier, instigated the activation of the firm's Disaster Recovery processes and successfully managed the migration of the IT systems to a new cloud provider. Show less
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Linklaters
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United Kingdom
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Law Practice
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700 & Above Employee
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Associate Director, Head of ISS Global Development
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Aug 1993 - Mar 2009
Responsible for the development of the firm’s IT Strategy, business requirement analysis, SAP architecture and configuration, organisational change management, programme and project management, software development, communications and IT training. • Established the budget of the IT department, consisting of 250 people situated in 35 offices - £42 million operational and £14 million headcount. • Directly responsible for a headcount budget of over £8 million and individual project budgets ranging from £10,000 to £6 million. • Programme managed a £20 million portfolio • Project managed the selection, implementation and development of an IT, Finance and Marketing outsourcing arrangement with Perot Systems in India Show less
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ITS Caleb Brett
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United States
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Maritime
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1 - 100 Employee
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Senior Analyst
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May 1990 - Aug 1993
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Forex Advisoy Services
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Chelmsford, United Kingdom
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Systems Analyst
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Jun 1988 - May 1990
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Marconi Radar Systems
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Chelmsford, United Kingdom
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Programmer
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May 1986 - Jun 1988
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Education
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University of Essex
Bachelor's Degree, Physics -
North East Wales Institute
Physics, Pure and Applied Mathematics, A-Level -
Ysgol Dinas Brân