Darren Lock

Experience

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  British Army

  Jan 1991 - Jan 1995

  LCpl Radio Operator

  Awarded top recruit at Catterick Signals Basic Training NBC InstructorMorse Code InstructorRecruit InstructorMap Reading InstructorRange ManagerOther courses included - Sharp Shooter, Hang Gliding Pilot

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  MOD

  Jan 1995 - Mar 1996

  Computer Engineer

  Support to Bovington and Lulworth camps Desktop and laptops, including virus and security concerns.

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  Poole Hospital

  Mar 1996 - Feb 1998

  Senior Network Technician

  Provide 3rd line support to the critical fiber optic network including network resolution through spanning tree technologies. Support all hospital network access and security and troubleshoot Wyse terminal connection problems. Provide out of hours support to the campus and offer technical support to junior technicians.

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  Bournemouth and Poole College

  Feb 1998 - Feb 2000

  Teaching adults on regular term time evenings up to City and Guilds Level 2 in Computing and Networking courses. Also redesigned and updated the existing course work and presentation materials. Attained a very high pass rate for the courses. Responsible for the day to day running of the education network at the Poole site. Provide 3rd line support and recruit and manage a team of eight technicians. Provide and document solutions to security and application distribution issues and report back to management at monthly technical meetings.

  • Adult Education Lecturer

    Feb 1998 - Feb 2000

  • Network Manager

    Feb 1998 - Feb 2000
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  Emcor Eastleigh

  Feb 2000 - Jan 2001

  Network Manager

  Technical support for the Network both at the HQ building and at various Satellite sites across the South of England. Provision of backup support to the main server farm located in London which included Novell, Microsoft and citrix servers. Project managing the installation of new WiFi connections mobile offices in the area.

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  South Coast Technical Services

  Jan 2001 - Jan 2003

  Technical Consultant

  Looking after the networking requirements of local businesses and establishments including Sunseeker and Brockenhurst college. Installation of various SMB solutions including MS Small Business Server, Windows server and Exchange. Provision of all levels of technical support but also responsible for Sales and back office tasks such as quotations and accounting.

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  World Wide Leisure Group

  Jan 2003 - Oct 2011

  Consultant Network Manager

  Responsibility to direct the IT department whilst being the technology lead to implement, support and document the IT infrastructure. Technologies within the group include, Windows server 2003/2008, Citrix, SQL, Blackberry Enterprise Server, Cisco and Netgear routing/firewalls and multi VPN, VOIP via Splicecom and IPTV Technologies, WiFi, Novell Netware and GroupWise. I am also responsible for the road mapping of end user applications and desktop OS and lead the support team in the implementation of this technology, which includes cloud computing via a new ERP system "Merlin Software" and the very recent virtualization and consolidation of the various server platforms onto VMWare 4.1. A Notable project included working to PRINCE2 methodology and project managing the installation of a £150k fiber optic network at a holiday resort in Scotland linking 106 cottages and a 30 bedroom hotel. Researched and presented a business plan to implement a Tripleplay (IPTV / VOIP / Internet) system whilst Liaising with various third party contractors, reporting back to stake holders, attending project meetings and produced justification, risk analysis and final documentation. Show less

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  Bikers Legal Defence

  Oct 2011 - Oct 2015

  IT Manager and Software Development Program Manager

  Responsible for IT leadership, management and software development Project Management within a UK financially-regulated services group • Appointed as Group IT Manager to control ICT services, telephony, software and ITIL focused support• Project management through regular SCRUM and SPRINT meetings for onshore and offshore development teams.• Chair the change advisory board, monitor change requests, prioritise and align with business needs.• Focused on driving business value & agility through adoption of enhanced IT solutions & architecture• Definition and execution of an IT strategy for the business, aligning technology with business needs• Reporting directly to strategic-level business management teams and board• Leadership of IT Teams upto 15 onshore and offshore.• Ensured ongoing IT compliance with quality, data protection, best practice and governance standards• Supplier & vendor management, driving efficiency savings and measuring service performance & KPIs• Recruitment, appraisal, training, development and coaching of key business support staff & personnelKey achievements, projects and outcomes include:• Recovered failing software project by engagement with stakeholders and gaining mandates. • Delivered bespoke ERP system including Claims management, logistics, accounting, CRM modules.• Managed a mixture of onshore and offshore development teams to meet the specification. • Refined user stories to develop work packages for all development teams.• Delivered bespoke android estimating application to meet workshop efficiency targets• Established relationships with key suppliers, leveraging vendor capabilities & delivering value for money• Performed Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity review, communicating risk to senior management.• Successfully launched a new e-commerce solution or the business, delivered within a period of 8 weeks• Delivered cost savings of £100k (1st year) efficiency gains through us of SIP telephony & MPLS networks Show less

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  Close Brothers Asset Management

  Oct 2015 - Jan 2018

  IT Business Partner

  Employed onto the Senior Management Team of Close Brothers Brewery Rentals (CBBR), my role focuses on the delivery of technology into the business unit from the parent company, Close Brother Asset Finance. As IT Business Partner it is my role to ensure the needs of the business unit is understood, resourced and met by the central IT function. This includes:Sitting on the Senior Management Team at CBBRSitting on Board level meetings at Asset Finance Level.Directing projects both IT and non-IT related at CBBRLobbying within Change, architecture, security, technology services and PMO functions within central IT.Discovering requirements, performing Business Analysis, Project management and Line management within the CBBR business function.Go to person for IT related escalation, performing triage and follow-up analysis Show less

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  Close Brothers Brewery Rentals

  Feb 2018 - now

  Director of Digital Innovation

  Promoted within the business based on successful results and the implementation of various challenging projects. Working within the Senior Management Team and a board member, a remit to deliver innovative solutions to the business and critically, ensure the business develops and responds to customer needs within the drinks industry. Heading up a dedicated department of business, technical, data and financial analysts operating within an agile framework managed by a dedicated scrum master, the remit is to challenge the business and wider industry to produce tested ideas and pass the results for development through various specialist third party vendors. A technology-focused role leveraging RFID and IOT solutions, utilising cloud technologies such as AWS and Blockchain.It is my role to ensure the business is always an early adopter of technology and deliver this back to the industry as a product. It is my responsibility to gain investment in innovation projects, build business cases, analyse risk, set strategy and report my findings back to executive sponsors within the parent business by chairing Steering committee meetings. Show less