Who I am
Professional Bio
I began my career as a data analyst programmer with the Scottish NHS, trusted to extract and structure complex datasets to support parliamentary questions and inform government debate. From wrangling hand-written records to preparing data for statistical modelling, I quickly discovered a guiding principle: when data is well understood, it becomes a tool of insight, influence, and intelligent action.
That belief has shaped every chapter of my career. I transitioned into commercial insurance, where I led the design of a marine aviation underwriting solution for global insurers. As a team lead, I mentored junior developers whose work became so valued that business units deferred projects until my team was available. Later, as Data Dictionary Administrator and DBA, I was recognised by ICL for pioneering DDS-driven approaches to define data ownership and lineage—well ahead of the data governance curve.
I then joined Racal Telecom, contributing to early GSM standards and building the first commercially launched GSM rating engine. That success led to two decades of global telecoms work, designing and deploying BSS-layer systems for Vodafone, Virgin Mobile, BT, Three, Deutsche Telekom, and others. My blend of conceptual clarity and delivery focus made me the go-to for projects where complexity, ambiguity, or cross-team tensions threatened success.
As the telecom wave matured, I broadened my scope—delivering transformation initiatives across banking, insurance, utilities, and the public sector with firms like KPMG and Atos. Since 2009, I’ve worked independently, specialising in ERP transformation, data architecture, systems integration, and regulatory alignment.
Across industries and decades, one truth has held: data is the golden key—the bridge between commercial needs, operational reality, and technical execution. I help organisations unlock its full value.
Today, I’m a systems thinker with a pragmatic streak—combining deep expertise in data architecture, ERP, and cloud transformation with a lifelong curiosity that ranges from classical ethics to modern AI. I work across layers—technical, operational, and philosophical—connecting the big picture with hands-on precision.
Whether I’m untangling a data model, reshaping governance, or challenging a lazy metaphor, I believe in clarity, usefulness—and the occasional well-placed joke. Good ideas are forged in dialogue. I aim to help both humans and machines think better, not just faster.
Career Highlights
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Scottish NHS – Extracted and structured complex datasets to support parliamentary questions; established strong data foundations for statistical modelling and public accountability.
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Commercial Insurance – Led the development of a marine aviation underwriting engine for global insurers; mentored a high-performing team whose output was in such demand that projects were deferred until they had availability.
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Data Governance Pioneer (ICL) – Recognised for pioneering use of Data Dictionary System (DDS) and the 'project' function to define data ownership, data change and data lineage—precursors to modern data governance practices.
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Telecoms (Racal Telecom → Global Operators) – Developed the first commercially launched GSM rating engine and helped shape early GSM standards. Played a pivotal role in BSS system design, build, test and international rollout for major operators including Vodafone, Virgin Mobile, BT, and Deutsche Telekom. Over a 20-year telecoms career, led numerous cross-border BSS integrations and defined the solution for the GSM Transferred Account Procedure (TAP), a key mechanism for international roaming settlements.
- KPMG & Atos – Delivered enterprise data solutions, system integrations, and transformation projects across banking, insurance, utilities, and the public sector. Highlights include conceiving and managing the implementation of the BSS integration layer for Virgin Mobile launch, integrating the billing platform for the launch of '3'.
- Lloyds Bank – Led a team to ensure compliance with PRA “intolerable harm” regulations. Provided extensive coaching in data concepts and hands-on training in ServiceNow CMDB, with a focus on mapping and managing relationships between configuration items. Despite evolving requirements—redefined three times—my team, though initially inexperienced, became the only project to deliver successfully at each stage. Defined and led the production of a prototype using Splunk and cloud native platforms to analyse ITSM data.
- National Grid – Developed the data model and extraction logic for divestiture. Defined reusable, business-aligned data rules in collaboration with finance. Applied NLP to translate technical metadata into stakeholder-friendly terms. Oversaw data workstreams and assured quality of third-party deliverables. Governed production changes to ensure compliance and audit readiness.
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Independent Consultant (Since 2009) – Specialised in ERP transformation (SAP, Oracle, Workday), regulatory data alignment (e.g., GDPR), cloud migration, and pragmatic data architecture across sectors.
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Multilayer Expertise – Known for bridging gaps between technical detail and strategic vision; adept at resolving stakeholder misalignment and delivering clarity in complex environments.