My innovation and creativity can be traced back to the age of seven, when I received my first computer for Christmas. This created the foundation which assisted me in forming the fundamental skill of logical analysis. Five months later, I had mastered Commodore Basic and I created my first computer program. My parents nurtured my talent and treated me to my first PC at the age of eleven. By the age of sixteen, I built a Network for a local solicitors firm. My talents had now surpassed a hobby and it was at this point I realised I was heading for a career in IT!

A job became available as a PC Engineer in an emergent company by the name of Tandem Software. They gave me my first step on the ladder, throwing me in at the deep end by placing me on customer sites with minimal understanding of the systems they had implemented. The learning curve was steep but rewarding, as I constantly had to face obstacles that seemed insurmountable. It was here that I discovered my aptitude to thrive on challenge, which was the core skill I took from the experience. I progressed through the company until I hit a glass ceiling, and as I was at the beginning of my career, it seemed a suitable time to progress to a larger organisation. This led to me joining Advanced Networks & Solutions Limited.

Advanced Networks & Solutions Limited hired me without a formal interview. Whilst waiting in reception, the MD walked up to me and asked if I knew about web hosting. I said that I did and he hired me on the spot! My first assignment was to build a subdivision of his business to handle the hosting and design of web content for all of the companies’ major clients. After getting this new division to a viable position, I realised the profitability of my own knowledge and decided to move into the freelance consultancy arena. Barclays Bank was my first freelance assignment.

Barclays opened my eyes to large-scale business with zero tolerance for failure. This, I realised, was the environment that I could thrive in. I showed true business acumen by streamlining business practice through the strategic use of new and emerging technologies. This environment welcomed these innovations and rewarded them. Whilst in this role, I was awarded three commendations for innovative solutions and demonstrable technical leadership. At the end of my contract period, Barclays offered me a permanent position within the organisation, however thirsty for more; I decided to continue with my chosen path.

This led me to Executive Travel Club. They were an operation with a key piece of technology that could change the way car leasing was performed globally, but a lack of understanding of the technology needed to achieve the goal. The business relationships were in place, however, to achieve the objective, the company needed to change their technology from a local to a global system. I embraced this challenge and delivered them a global solution that scaled beyond there expected scope, and provided them with the platform to succeed. Once the architecture was created, the project was handed over to a large-scale consultancy for global implementation.

After successfully accomplishing the company’s goals, I moved on to my next challenge, which provided me with an opportunity to relocate across the Country and continue my career path. This contract was with Electronic Arts. This was a great environment for my creativity to thrive, as they expected innovation through technology by default. As the Internet Systems Administrator I was given full control and management of the entire EMEA 24×7x365 online infrastructure, which gave me the freedom to improve and scale to a solution that sustained over 11 million visits per week, serving static, dynamic and game content to these visitors. It was a natural progression for me to take these skills and innovations into the corporate environment when the online and corporate networks merged, so the promotion to Lead Network Engineer and offer of a permanent position marked a change in direction.

The corporate networks were more archaic and required major change in order to better serve the needs of the business moving forward. One of the key challenges and best experiences involved managing this change to a new technology on a global scale as it influenced every aspect of the business and related systems. Room for error was simply not an option. I continued my innovation by looking at the way the business operated and ensuring it was making the optimal use of available technology. As I found new and improved ways of achieving business goals, I would communicate the findings to senior exec so that they could see the fiscal benefits.

The ability to create a seamless long term technology strategy, a short term tactical technology direction, and evaluate new technology while aligning it against business process, became a core element of my position at EA. Senior Management recognised my talent and created the role of European IT Security & Audit Manager, where I led the security function for the EMEA region. My in depth knowledge of the systems, infrastructure, security and business served to build a winning team and strategy within the department. To further compliment my knowledge, I attained the Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) qualification to ensure best practice within the ten domains of security. This reinforced my business and technology orientation to risk management and gave me the framework to implement Information Security in an enterprise environment.

The current challenge I choose to undertake is with PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. PwC hired me with the sole remit to “create a security and technology business from the ground up”. This was an ideal opportunity for me which I grasped with both hands. In the two years that I have been with PwC, I have built a team of strong well respected consultants, developed an internal and external market and gained recognition from my peers and clients alike. The business is thriving, revenues are high and growth is consistent and aggressive. I continue to lead this practice and maintain a strong market presence to ensure its continued success.

11/2008 Update

Given my career to date and the paths I have chosen it was an obvious move within the firm to allow me to take the success that I have brought to date and evolve this further. This evolution is through the creation of a team of specialists, dedicated to the management of Threat & Vulnerability for my clients.  This new fucntion is a national practice working accross sectors and regions bringing the latest thinking and best possible skills together to deliver a service second to none.

If your really interested, you can find my linkedin profile here: 

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