Head of Solutions

• Jul 2023 - Present

Solutions Consultant

• Jan 2023 - Jun 2023

Solutions Director

• Jan 2010 - Dec 2022

I joined Wood for Trees in January 2010 with the remit of helping to grow the business via database marketing software solutions. At the time the company employed just nine people with a heavy focus on analytics. Given the not-for-profit client-base and my previous deep involvement with a number of database marketing applications, the natural path in terms of familiarity, fit and budget was the Apteco Marketing Suite (FastStats). We implemented our first client solution towards the end of that year and from that point have concentrated on increasing the number of solutions implemented and supported, as well as our overall engagement with Apteco. This culminated in Wood for Trees winning the Apteco Partner of the Year in both 2019 and 2022. As solutions director, my responsibilities encompass both the pre- and post-sales environment, working on new client tenders, implementing new solutions and providing continued consultancy and solution development over time. A key goal is always to ensure clients realise return on investment, ongoing staff development and increased capabilities. Given our position in the not-for-profit sector, I am a keen advocate of ensuring our clients not only extract the maximum value from a Wood for Trees solution, but that the solution we define is the right one at a fair price, cementing our role as a trusted partner. I own and manage the relationship with our software partners and look to evaluate new products within the marketplace that may allow us to improve the solutions we design and deploy. An accredited Apteco trainer and sales professional, I stay ahead of the developments and releases to ensure that, as a team, we are able to offer the best consultancy and guidance to our clients. As Wood for Trees continues to develop the offerings to our clients, I am proud to feel that the work we do in the not-for-profit space goes towards making the world just that little bit better. Show less

Solutions Consultant

• Oct 2000 - Dec 2009

The main focus of my role at Occam revolved around the provision of consultancy (pre or post-sales) to act as an interface between the client and the Occam development teams. The interpretation of client requirements formed the basis of the overarching solution definition, satisfying both client sign-off and development framework. Such solutions commonly involved the creation of a single customer view database in SQL Server with Alterian, Apteco or Unica technologies providing a front line data management interface for any end users within the client organisation. Post-implementation of any defined solution, the consultancy team then acted as the primary technical contact for the client, providing training, advice and consultancy, and recommendations for ongoing development. The outcomes of these led to continual solution improvement and incorporation of new requirements over time. Throughout my ten years at Occam I became the team lead and focal point for any new client-facing solution. Alongside colleagues we worked hard to develop the company into a key partner for a number of third-party software VAR relationships. Headline solutions won and created include those for News International, GSK, Kia, Honda, RNIB and WWF. Show less

Principal Consultant

• Sep 1999 - Oct 2000

This role was concerned with the implementation, support, and training in the use of smartFOCUS software. Although this technology had been in use within my previous role, the step up to expert status for all elements of consultancy, implementation, training and support meant a steep learning curve. During the time I was within this position, smartFOCUS also acquired Appropriate Software (now Apteco). This meant the applications consulted on included not only the Viper Suite but also the (then newly developed) FastStats Weblink application, and I was proud to work on the first public implementation of this platform for The Economist. Other headline implementations included Maplin and Martin Dawes. Show less

Technical Manager - Direct Marketing Group

• Sep 1994 - Sep 1999

Whilst undertaking my degree in human geography I chose a module based on retail planning and location. I found the ability to use statistical methods and drivetime weightings to calculate catchment areas, tipping points and potential footfall/revenue fascinating. It was here that I also came across geodemographics for the first time - namely CACI’s Acorn classification. A speculative job application to CACI coincided with a period of general graduate recruitment and I was pleased to begin my first job in data doing the very things that had piqued my interest to begin with. Starting out as an analyst in the retail department I found my feet learning to code in SAS and working on projects for large companies such as Whitbread. In this case I worked with a more experienced analyst to identify a number of potential new locations for pubs using the very techniques touched on at university. A restructure within the business then saw me working within the direct marketing department, ultimately becoming the technical team lead. Here we utilised what was, at the time, one of the largest data sources available - the electoral roll. This work mainly involved producing targeted lists for various organisations using potentially complex methodologies to obtain the best possible communication outcomes. During this period I worked extensively with companies such as DFS and HomeServe (the latter enabling their initial mass market targeted communications to acquire and develop the underlying customer base). The team as a whole were regularly challenged to find new and innovative ways of working in order to deliver to the project brief, and the throughput of work comprised a mixture of large multi-week projects alongside a high volume of smaller, fast turnaround jobs. Show less

Bank Clerk

• Sep 1990 - Sep 1991

This role involved many aspects of banking which probably no longer exist, certainly to the extent they did at that time. Whilst the role gave me self-sufficiency and taught me to manage my own money, I quickly found that life in the bank was not for me. The following year saw me leave to attend university. This role involved many aspects of banking which probably no longer exist, certainly to the extent they did at that time. Whilst the role gave me self-sufficiency and taught me to manage my own money, I quickly found that life in the bank was not for me. The following year saw me leave to attend university.