Welcome to Brazen Careerist!

About Me

I'm a highly motivated and successful leader of cross-functional technology organisations with extensive experience in the online, new media, government, and financial sectors.

I have expertise in building and optimizing organisational processes, measurement systems and infrastructure to maximize business results. A proven track record of designing, delivering and supporting high availability, high performance IT infrastructure across multiple sites and the internet. Proven experience of understanding and meeting the needs of senior business sponsors and negotiating with and managing Enterprise Vendors.

Work History

• Microsoft
• IT Director
• August 2005 to July 2009

• Lead multi-disciplined team responsible for supporting Microsoft's online services in the EMEA region, with a revenue base of US$200M+, and users in excess of 225M. Set and drive the strategic direction of the IT organisation, working closely with business partners and the global IT operations division to deliver a cost-effective, highly available services infrastructure that meets or exceeds business goals and SLA targets.

• Microsoft
• Group IT Manager
• January 2002 to August 2005

• Responsible for the service delivery and management of MSN services and Advertising platforms in the EMEA region.

• Microsoft
• Lead Operations Manager
• June 2001 to January 2002

• Manage the MSN Operations team in London responsible for running the portal and content publishing systems for the EMEA region. The team consisted of 8 staff and managed sites in 17 countries across the region.

• Microsoft
• Program Manager
• March 2000 to June 2001

• Project managed the rollout for the MSN UK business of the first MSN shopping site in the EMEA region. The site was delivered on schedule and under budget. Then went on to work on a CRM project for the MSN EMEA region looking to provide tailored content to users.

• BNP Paribas
• IT Consultant
• October 1999 to March 2000

• Assisted in the provision of a global intranet/internet system based on IIS and associated technologies. Partnered with development, infrastructure and regional production teams to implement and maintain a standard and stable platform to allow the introduction of IIS based systems to all business units within the bank.

• HSBC Investment Banking
• IT Consultant
• Febuary 1999 to September 1999

• Provided an intranet system to the Investment Banking Division with an overall user base of 650 in London and 2,000 worldwide. Also responsible for providing technical consulting services across other technology groups within the bank.

Education

• Newcastle Technical College
• Diploma in Business, Commercial IT
• 1991 - 1992