HEAD OF CLOUD & DIGITAL INFRASTRUCTURE SERVICES Jul 2019 – Feb 2024 Coventry University, Coventry Duties and Responsibilities: • Ensured seamless migration and reduction in IT operational costs by spearheading the strategic development and management of Coventry University's cloud and digital infrastructure. • Enabled the university's IT infrastructure to respond to disruptions and minimise downtime by conducting analyses and updating IT Business Continuity Plan (BCP) and Disaster Recovery Plan (DRP). • Provided remote access for all users through the introduction of VPN solutions. • Cultivated a challenging environment that prioritises excellence, teamwork, and continuous improvement. Accomplishments: • Led a high-performing team of over 35 IT professionals across diverse domains – cloud infrastructure, networking, data platforms, device platforms, and commercial IT. • Increased agility, scalability, and cost-efficiency for the university by delivering a successful cloud migration strategy, transitioning legacy data centres over 600 servers to a hybrid solution leveraging private cloud infrastructure in Leeds and public cloud services on Microsoft Azure. • Enhanced network performance of 1,500 devices and 4,500 wireless, improved user experience, and elevated security for staff and students by directing network modernisation initiatives across campuses. • Championed the enactment of remote teaching and learning solutions across teams to ensure educational continuity for staff and students during the COVID-19 pandemic. • Optimised team collaboration and accelerated service delivery by overseeing the adoption of agile working methodologies as well as ISO27001 and Cyber Essentials Plus certification within Infrastructure Services. • Drove innovation and maximised operational efficiency by cultivating cross-functional solid partnerships.
CHIEF TECHNOLOGY OFFICER Jan 2018 – Mar 2019 University of Surrey, Guildford Duties and Responsibilities: • Led the development and execution of tactical plans, managed service provision, and fostered high-performing teams across critical functions. • Integrated 4 HPC environments and 4K video capabilities, leveraging HT Condor to make 400 desktop GPUs accessible for development and testing. • Leveraged technical expertise to transition from Faculty IT Manager to Head of Infrastructure, ultimately rising to Chief Technology Officer. Accomplishments: • Modernised infrastructure and IT capabilities by transforming technology at the University of Surrey. • Delivered customised solutions and reduced the outstanding day's support effort from 5 months to less than 2 weeks to empower researchers and directed a transformation of IT research services. • Promoted long-term growth and sustainability through development and implementation of a £6M budget for operational and capital expenditures. • Improved service quality and security by overseeing a university-wide network upgrade. • Boosted productivity and streamlined collaboration by migrating to cloud-based Office 365 and Microsoft Azure Active Directory (Azure AD).
CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER (CIO) Aug 2013 – Aug 2017 Icon/Equra Oncology, South Africa & Kenya Duties and Responsibilities: • Ensured compliance with regulations by spearheading IT transformation and hiring an IT team for deployment. • Positioned the Oncology Group for future growth and innovation in patient care through the development of a comprehensive ICT strategy focused on fully integrated EMR/EPR systems. Accomplishments: • Fostered a collaborative environment that empowered cross-functional teams across Infrastructure, Application, and Service Desk functions by introducing new IT operating model. • Saved 8% annual cost whilst exceeding SLA targets through process optimisation and vendor management. • Optimised resource allocation, reduced bugs from 87% to 3%, and reduced development costs through introduction of agile SDLC framework. • Revolutionised patient care and treatment delivery through the enhancement and implementation of the world's largest network for Elekta Radiation Oncology Accelerators.
EXECUTIVE HEAD OF INFRASTRUCTURE Oct 2000 – Jul 2013 Metropolitan Health, South Africa Duties and Responsibilities: • Supported millions of users through the management of the vast IT infrastructure. • Handled resource allocation through management and optimisation of a budget exceeding R150M (£10M). • Enhanced bandwidth and facilitated the expansion of network infrastructure to support new head offices, data centres, and branches through the strategic rollout of a nationwide MPLS network for data and telephony. Accomplishments: • Achieved growth from 80K to 3.3M customers and 35% year-on-year growth (800% over 9 years) by creating and introducing a scalable Infrastructure and Support Capability model, integrating 20+ organisations following takeovers, mergers, and acquisitions while establishing the largest medical aid in South Africa. • Build infrastructure and Sybase IQ Datawarehouse for QualSA Healthcare Managed Care to assist 3.3 m customers with hospital pre-auths, treatments and outcomes, using Cognos, Business Objects and Excel as analytic tooling. • Streamlined operations across Infrastructure, Data Warehouse, Service Desk, Desktop Support, and Telephony through the deployment of strategic management practices. • Ensured Business Continuity Plan and minimised downtime through a robust Disaster Recovery Plan, able to recover operations within 8 hours. • Revolutionised IT operations and elevated workflow processes by managing the insourcing and migration of over 20 EMR/PMR systems from HP MPE to Unix to Linux. • Boosted communication efficacy and reduced operational costs by architecting and migrating analogue Siemens to VOIP-based Asterix, centralising operations to handle 40K daily calls across multiple branches. • Built a robust team culture within a large group of 60+ IT professionals by driving efficient collaboration and innovation through the leadership of 8 direct reports.
ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE • Group Head of IT, Moregro Retail Group, South Africa • Head of IT, Gabriel Shock Absorbers, South Africa • Head of Small Systems Support, ICL South Africa