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 (the kinds of topics MPs dig into during committee sessions). 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 actions.

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 (became Vodafone during my tenure), 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/OSS-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 traditional artisanship 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.

(some) Career Highlights on my journey:

• Scottish NHS – Extracted and structured complex datasets to support parliamentary questions; established strong data foundations for statistical modelling and public accountability.

• 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 by stakeholders until we had availability.

• 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.

• Telecoms (Vodafone) → 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.

• Sales Support & Telco Pre-Sales – Mid-career, provided strategic pre-sales support for billing packages and consultancy-led EAI (Enterprise Application Integration) solutions across the telecoms sector. Contributed to winning major deals at KPN and a range of greenfield and brownfield start-ups. This period deepened my understanding of interpersonal dynamics, international cultures, and the nuanced art of selling technology as a solution—not just a product.

• KPMG & Atos – Delivered enterprise data solutions, system integrations, and transformation projects across banking, insurance, utilities, and the public sector.
  Produced and managed RFIs and RFPs, addressing the risks of “optimism bias” and feature oversell by introducing a scripted demo approach. Shortlisted vendors were handed an identical scenario and asked to demonstrate capabilities using their own platforms—flagging OOTB functionality and explaining any gaps narratively. During live demos, real-time requirement changes were requested to empirically test flexibility and adaptability—making risk to evolutionary change visible and measurable.
  Highlights also include conceiving and managing the implementation of the BSS integration layer for Virgin Mobile's launch and integrating the billing platform for the launch of '3'.

• EDF Energy – Led Data Workstream – SAP I-SU (FICO Focus). The role required navigating the tricky middle ground between business expectations, system design, and integration testing. This meant assembling and aligning a capable data team. I kept things delivery-focused: clarified roles, locked down data ownership, and built working relationships that outlasted the steering group tensions. We landed the key milestones, including harmonisation of financial objects, data readiness for UAT, and aligned cutover sequencing—without losing sight of either the detail or the dynamics.

• Vodafone – Led Data Integration – TIBCO Stack (Partner-Managed Delivery). I led the data integration effort using the TIBCO stack, with full accountability for ensuring outsourced delivery partners hit project milestones and MVP criteria. This wasn’t just technical oversight—it involved managing adherence to contractual obligations, negotiating agreements across multiple parties, and holding delivery to account without derailing momentum. Through clear prioritisation and hands-on coordination, we improved throughput across integration cycles and kept the focus on business value rather than just interface count. It was as much about stakeholder alignment as it was about payload design—and making sure the integration factory didn’t drift into a black box.

• 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 the quality of third-party deliverables. Governed production changes to ensure compliance and audit readiness.

• 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.

• Multilayer Expertise – Known for bridging gaps between technical detail and strategic vision; adept at resolving stakeholder misalignment and delivering clarity in complex environments.

• A Note on Career Philosophy — Throughout my career—and alongside a healthy dose of lifelong learning—I made a deliberate choice to stay close to the practitioners. I’ve always believed in keeping my boots muddy, adapting to what needs doing, and staying hands-on—whether that means navigating complex data issues, aligning diverse stakeholders, or bringing clarity to legacy systems. While others focused on strategy from a distance, I focused on making sure things actually worked. It’s not always glamorous, but it’s consistently effective—and it’s kept me grounded in outcomes, not just intentions.

🧠 Concluding Hypothesis

🏢 You Already Have the Brains

Most organisations already have the talent and know-how to turn data into insight—they just need the structure, not a sermon. 
The skills are already in the building.

☁️ Cloud, AI/ML = Just the Latest Kit

AI, ML, and cloud aren’t magical—just the latest wave of off-the-shelf tooling. Think of them as today’s spreadsheet: useful, but not mystical.
New acronyms, same goal: clarity.

🧮 It’s Just Matrix Maths—Faster

AI/ML Cloud services are brilliant at one thing: smashing matrices together at speed. That’s where the magic lies—not in the branding.
Think less “sorcery,” more “linear algebra at scale.”

🧰 Start With the Structured Stuff

Begin where you’re strong: structured and semi-structured data. Tame the known beasts before chasing shadows in unstructured realms.Sort your spreadsheets before your sentiment scores.

👥 Teams with T-shaped Members Are the Engine

T-shaped teams—those with depth and cross-functional stretch—deliver better, faster, and with more staying power. Empower them, don’t outsource them.
Wider shoulders deliver broader outcomes.

🍒 Unstructured Data Is Dessert

Don’t start with unstructured data. Add it once the basics work. Like a cherry—it belongs on top, not the plate. 
Save the sprinkles till the cake’s baked.

🧑‍💼 Consultants Have Their Place—Just Not All the Answers

External consultants can help, but don’t let them displace the people who already understand your data. Familiarity beats frameworks. 
Bring them in for perspective—not possession.

🎯 Where I Fit In

I bridge the gap between technical delivery and organisational reality—across data, cloud, and AI/ML. I don’t reinvent the wheel; I get it rolling. 
I make data work—without the drama.

So if you’re knee-deep in spaghetti systems, tangled data, and stakeholders pulling in a dozen directions—relax. I’ve brought a fork, a map, and a whiteboard. Let’s talk.