About me

Summary

I am a very versatile technology generalist, with an extensive background in managing complex technology projects, most recently creative projects based on XR technology. I have experience working in New Zealand, Australia, United States, Canada, United Kingdom and France.

I started my career as a software developer, progressing into project management, eventually becoming an award-winning CIO. I then moved into program management, operations management, resource management and consulting. I am particularly expert in building high-performing teams and implementing major programs based on new technology. 

Background listening

Professional Experience

Head of Production / Lead Producer; Factory 42 (London) 2022-2024

Lead Producer for a major new immersive ecological XR experience 'Unearthed' sponsored by Meta.

Supervised Production team and Dev team, established processes, extensive reporting to clients and SMT.

Managed all XR sales and deliveries (prepared proposals, plans, won bids, put together new projects, oversaw delivery).

Freelance Developer / Project manager; Seraphim Services (London, France) 2019-2021

Prepared business plan and managed complex projects including enhanced digital content for European 'experiences', using VR technology.

Created and published several eBooks across multiple platforms.

Created rich multi-media websites using Google technology.

Head of Workforce Operations; Moving Picture Company (London) 2018-2019

Responsible for reviewing VFX systems and processes, project management of Work Force transformation project, driving change, resource estimation, day-to-day oversight of all resourcing processes, planning for office space, scenarios for major new business initiatives. Extensive use of Microsoft Excel. Required analysis of future plans against capabilities, and preparation of multiple solutions to meet the needs.

Head of Resource Management; Framestore (London & Montreal) 2017- 2018

Managed VFX Resourcing processes and Resource estimation. Set up 12 month resource planning function. Day to day management of Department managers. Oversaw major peak recruitment, and also planning for reduced resourcing. Extensive use of Google sheets and Microsoft Excel to ensure optimum solutions against projected strategy.

Project Manager/VR Digital Delivery supervisor; Felix & Paul VR Studios (Montreal) 2016- 2017

Felix & Paul Studios is one of the world’s leading cinematic Virtual Reality companies. I introduced a hybrid of Prince2 and Agile (JIRA) project processes, and successfully delivered a large program of work during a period of rapid growth. I also was product manager and managed the digital delivery of VR experiences, including technical pipeline, integration, QA, and digital publishing to the end customer, and customer service. Projects included:

R&D Project manager; Weta Digital 2013-2016, NZ

This role needed me to take the magnificent research work of some of the world’s leading VFX gurus and convert these into actionable plans, that actually were implemented. The success of these projects meant that NZ software continues to dominate the VFX industry.

Freelance Manager / Consultant; Seraphim Services (2009-2013)

I worked on assignment to a number of Australasian companies, typically in major reviews and research to find a better way forward:

Transformation Programme Manager; NZ Racing Board/TAB (2008-2009)

I set up the Transformation & Technology modernisation programme, using a combination of Prince2 and Agile methods. Required extensive research into global initiatives and financial planning. Projects included:

General Manager, Shared Capability; Telecom NZ (2007-2008)

Telecom NZ (now named Sparc) is NZ’s leading telecommunications company. I managed the 600+ Project resources department. This role required extensive analysis of capacity and capability improvement potential, as well as action planning to implement.

General Manager, Sales and Consulting; Datacom Systems Ltd, NZ

Datacom is NZ’s largest Systems integrator. I managed a team of consultants, project managers and sales staff, managed bids, developed new business, managed accounts at Cxx level, oversaw large enterprise customer projects including Outsource implementations, Government shared services, ITIL implementations.

Project Director, NZ State Services Commission, NZ

Prepared Government shared services business case, replacing a stalled case. Researched strategies and then consulting widely with ministries, vendors and experts, to produce a new, forward-facing, pragmatic business case to extend government shared services that was eventually implemented.

CTO; Ministry of Economic Development, NZ

Merged two IT departments, set up new processes, recruited new management team.

I was responsible for all decision making in Information Technology.

CIO; TelstraSaturn (subsidiary of Telstra and UIH/now Liberty Global) NZ

TelstraSaturn was NZ’s no.2 telecommunications company and NZ’s first pay TV operator. I successfully delivered from start-up through multiple mergers and acquisitions and was responsible for all decision making in Information Technology. Won CIO-of-the-year award. I managed capital projects worth $50+ million, annual operating budget $25 million, and 120 staff. Projects included:

Manager, Architecture & Integration, Telecom NZ

Managed a team of architects establishing architecture for major transformation program at Telecom NZ. Oversaw technology tests. For my last six months in this role, I also managed the PMO.

Software Development manager; Mitsubishi Finance, London

Mitsubishi Finance was the trading arm of Mitsubishi Bank. Projects:

Project manager/account manager; Total Systems plc, London

Consultant; Adata Software Limited (NZ, New York, London)

Adata was a software start-up, creating rapid applications development software based on expert system technology that won rave reviews from Datapro and Gartner group internationally. I developed applications for customers, ran training courses and pre and post sales customer support. 

Developer, Business analyst, Project manager; Datacom Systems Ltd Developing and delivering software solutions via full SDLC to customers, as well as ongoing customer support. Projects:

Other Information

Education 

Post-Graduate Diploma (half an MBA) Marketing, Victoria University of Wellington

BA (English Literature), Victoria University of Wellington, NZ

BSc (Philosophy and Information Science), University of Canterbury, NZ

Graduate Diploma (Creative writing), Whitereia Institute, NZ

Software, IT, Project management, Organisational development, Company director, Leadership training courses