Case Studies
My full CV can be downloaded here:
Case Studies:
Programme/PMO Process Design and Leadership
PMO Design - 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships (and multiple other programmes)
As the Head of Programme and Risk Management I designed and established core processes including: project planning and reporting; risk and issue management; operational and client service level planning. These processes were supported by WeTrack Programme and Risk Management Software, which I procured and rolled out across the organisation and to delivery partners. After setup was complete I led the operation of the PMO. I have provided a similar service at all the major events I have worked on, and in multiple corporate roles.
Project Management Process Design - Virgin Money
VM typically spends £150-200M annually on change and employs circa 1,000 people to deliver its portfolio. I rewrote and rolled out VMs ‘Change Policy’ and Governance Model defining the minimum control standards applicable to 35 programmes, encompassing 150 projects.
The improved processes were rolled out using an internal website. I also organised and led monthly calls with circa 100 managers to communicate the changes and obtain feedback.
Case Studies:
Internal Audit of Major Programmes
Clydesdale Bank - Virgin Money merger
I was engaged by Clydesdale as a specialist Change auditor over the merger with Virgin Money, a programme with significant budget and risks. The scope of the audits included programme governance, planning, reporting and dependency management. Additional work included a review of an Agile current account project and a deeper dive into the go-live readiness process. This work identified a number of improvement opportunities which allowed senior management to enhance control over the programme.
Water Industry
Whilst at EY I audited the major transformation programmes at two UK water companies. The scope of these programmes included operational transformation and SAP implementation. I was responsible for auditing controls over the key risks of these programmes including: programme design; benefits management; and go-live readiness.
Case Studies:
Programme Risk Management Review
Risk Management design and operation - multiple events
At the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships, Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games and 2018 European Championships I led the design and implementation of Risk Management processes. In addition to process design this work involved specifying and implementing Risk Management systems, and related reporting for Audit and Risk Committees (ARCs). I attended full ARC meetings at the Cycling and Birmingham, and regularly presented Risk Management reports.
At the Cycling Worlds, I also regularly presented Risk Reports at the Board, and led a one hour Board session to review Risk Management process effectiveness.
Case Studies: Readiness Support
Final Readiness Checks - multiple events
At both Glasgow 2018 European Championships and 2014 Commonwealth Games I led the end to end process for final 'go-live' readiness checking. This involved each functional, venue and sport team performing a self assessment of readiness, followed by director level 'check and challenge sessions'.
My team also tracked the actions and issues resulting from these sessions, and supported issue resolution. These activities were crucial in terms of providing assurance and highlighting focus areas as event time approached.
Major IT system implementations
Whilst at EY I reviewed the readiness arrangements and provided feedback on readiness for multiple clients' IT enabled change projects. For one client, I led both the creation of detailed readiness criteria documentation, and the subsequent assurance process to confirm that adequate evidence existed to confirm that the criteria had been met. This was critical project for the client and the go live event, which involved the migration of >1M client records, went smoothly.
Case Studies: Project Delivery Support
Project Management: V-Ships ERP Implementation
At V-Ships I Project Managed the Initiation and Design Stages of a Global Implementation of Microsoft Dynamics. I led set up of the Project, including project management process and systems. I led selection of the implementation partner (KPMG Crimsonwing) and the requirements gathering and design workshops. Line managed a team of 10.
PMO Management: 2018 European Championships (and other events)
At the 2018 European Championships I led a PMO Team of five. Whilst the team had been established for several months, it lacked direction. I coached the team to define the PMO procedures, and specify and implement the project management and document repository tools.
I also led the PMOs at the World Athletics Indoor Championships 2024, 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships, Operations PMO at Glasgow 2014, and have multiple other examples from past employment and consulting roles.
