My profile and career to date

My journey into website project management

It's amazing how things work out isn't it? I started off with a background in corporate communications which involved marketing and media over 12 years ago. At the time I was working for AXA on another role. Suddenly I stumbled into the world of e-technology, largely because my strong people management and proven project management skills were appealing to AXA. Even though I had little knowledge about intranets or the web, they tasked me to manage the corporate intranet of AXA in the UK; the health, life and general insurance giant. Their belief in my skills and approach encouraged me to take a leap of faith which subsequently fired my passion for all kinds of web related roles and challenges.

Little did I know that this was the beginning of an incredible journey into web management for high profile organisations such as Deloitte (one of the four biggest professional service firms) where I was responsible for developing an intranet strategy. From there I moved swiftly on to working in the retail sector as an online specialist with Blockbuster and then over to Aon to fulfil the role of their internet content manager for their UK website.

My journey didn't stop there! Recently I have implemented a CMS to the Met Office desktop and mobile websites and before that I completed an intranet audit for London Underground. Currently I’m consulting SNR Denton, a large international law firm, on their extranet and inrtranet strategies, having managed their global website the previous year.

My first experience of public sector work was with the Government at the Cabinet Office. Here I was responsible for managing six professionals to provide excellent advice and support for the Cabinet Office's exploitation of e-media and use of electronic communication on several key government websites.

I strongly believe that my natural way with people, and my ability to build long term effective relationships at all levels, has paved the way for all of these roles. Starting off at AXA, these skills were essential for my success in delivering a business critical tool in a hugely complex environment.

Professional development

I take great pride in investing in my own professional development as well as my approach to work. I am a qualified PRINCE2 Practitioner and MS Project certified professional. I appreciate the importance of these methods and techniques for project management. Being logical, well organised thinker with a analytical mind-set, and having the need to work on complex high risk projects, the PRINCE2 route was a natural step for me.
 
A key passion for me are issues about accessibility and usability of the web to ensure customers successfully interact with this form of communication. I enjoy the constant challenge of making sure companies take accessibility issues seriously, not just for social conscious reasons, but to realise the real commercial value it creates. I hope to continue in helping organisations in these arenas.

 

Personal work ethic

I am a real people-person and enjoy the dimension this brings to what can often be complex and challenging work. As you may have gathered by now, I take a head on and hands on approach to my work, and have a lot of self belief in my ability to achieve goals.
 
Determination and a hunger for continuous learning makes me well placed for managerial and knowledge specific roles.
 
A driving reason for my work ethic is the connection I like to build with the company and services/products that I am involved with. This appreciation allows me to immerse myself in the work from day one. With experience in the financial services, professional & legal services and government sector experience, I know that I have a lot to offer.

My passions in life

 
I have a keen interest in DIY, gardening and photography. In 1995, I became a member of the British Professional Photographers Association after having passed their Licentiate exam.
 
Besides this, I train elderly and disadvantaged people in the use of IT. This involves me designing a 20 hour course which covers areas such as internet use, email, Word and Excel, and personally deliver to the individual's home.

In support of the London Olympic and Paralympic Games, I am a London Ambassador. The London Ambassadors welcomed visitors from all over the world during the summer of 2012.
 
I hope that you have found me of interest. I would like to invite you to leave your feedback or contact me should you require me for any suitable roles. Thank you for taking the time to read my profile and I hope you will read some of my useful articles while you are here.