Since relocating to Hong Kong in January 2025, I have been establishing myself as a freelance IT Specialist / Network Engineer, offering consultancy and technical support services tailored to the needs of businesses of various sizes. My focus includes designing and planning network infrastructures, configuring firewalls and VLANs, optimising wireless networks, and managing cloud platforms such as Microsoft 365. I also support cybersecurity best practices such as email filtering, endpoint protection, and access control. I also help businesses shape their IT strategy, procurement processes, and system upgrades to enhance performance and security.
As IT Manager at British Wool, I held a key leadership role in shaping and managing the organisation’s technological landscape. Leading an IT support team, I oversaw the infrastructure’s end-to-end management, ensuring the seamless operation of hardware, software, and networking systems, including a multi-site WAN that connected multiple locations for efficient communication and data exchange. A critical aspect of my role was implementing and maintaining robust cybersecurity measures, safeguarding sensitive information, and ensuring the organisation’s digital resilience.
I was responsible for managing all servers, systems, and services, alongside overseeing data storage, backups, disaster recovery, and business continuity strategies. My duties included developing and implementing IT policies, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards, and conducting routine audits to maintain system integrity. I also managed user access, identity management, and cloud services, ensuring the organisation’s IT environment aligned with business goals.
In addition to technical responsibilities, I played a strategic role in IT planning and innovation, identifying opportunities to adopt new technologies and drive efficiency. I managed vendor relationships, supervised IT assets, and led numerous projects from conception to delivery. My role also involved acting as a business analyst, delivering end-user training, and supporting change management initiatives to enhance the organisation’s technological capabilities. Through hands-on leadership and a forward-thinking approach, I consistently aligned technology with organisational objectives, fostering an innovative and resilient IT environment.
➤ Specification and rollout of new WAN to all 15 sites.
Spearheaded the design and implementation of a new Wide Area Network (WAN) across 15 geographically dispersed sites. The project enhanced network connectivity, improved bandwidth availability, and introduced redundancy, resulting in significant increases in both performance and reliability for the entire organisation.
➤ Reconfiguration of all Wi-Fi provisions to enable multiple vLAN networks for efficiency and security.
Designed and executed a complete reconfiguration of the organisation’s Wi-Fi infrastructure, introducing multiple vLAN networks to segregate traffic for different user groups. This initiative boosted network efficiency, improved security by isolating sensitive data streams, and optimised overall wireless performance.
➤ Reconfiguration of all branch office switches for cyber security purposes.
Led the reconfiguration of switches across all branch offices to strengthen the network’s cybersecurity posture. Applied enhanced security settings, such as access control lists (ACLs) and port security, to protect against unauthorised access and potential attacks.
➤ Business analysis and specification for a new warehouse load-out mobile application and hardware solution.
Conducted a comprehensive business analysis to identify operational inefficiencies in the warehouse load-out process, and developed detailed specifications for a mobile application and accompanying hardware solution. The project streamlined warehouse operations, reduced manual errors, and significantly improved the speed and accuracy of inventory management.
➤ Migration of managed print services to a new supplier with new hardware.
Led the end-to-end migration of managed print services to a new vendor, including the specification and deployment of new print hardware across multiple sites. The project improved print quality, reduced operational costs, and enhanced user experience, while ensuring seamless integration with existing IT infrastructure.
➤ Migration of all SQL servers to the latest supported version.
Successfully managed the upgrade of all SQL servers to the latest supported version, ensuring compliance with industry standards and enhancing system performance. The migration involved detailed planning, testing, and execution to minimise downtime and safeguard critical data.
➤ Reconfiguration of main switch stack for efficiency and cyber security purposes.
Re-engineered the main switch stack to optimise network performance and increase cybersecurity resilience. Implemented advanced security protocols and fine-tuned network settings, resulting in improved data traffic management and reduced vulnerability to cyber threats.
As Head of IT at Direct Voice and Data, I managed the IT department, delivering tailored IT support and solutions to a diverse range of businesses. I played a key role as part of the Senior Management Team, making strategic decisions to enhance company performance and procedures. My responsibilities included direct line management of the IT team, recruitment to strengthen the team, and serving as an escalation point for technical staff. I contributed to pre-sales efforts by preparing technical sales proposals, co-presenting to clients, and meeting with clients to nurture existing relationships while securing new business opportunities. Additionally, I oversaw installations, project management, and 3rd line support troubleshooting, ensuring department SLAs were consistently met and driving continuous improvement initiatives.
As ICT Operations Manager at Sheffield High School, I was responsible for the day-to-day IT operations, ensuring the seamless functionality of systems, networks, and telecommunications while supporting both staff and students. I led a team of technical staff within the IT Service Desk, overseeing user management, system troubleshooting, and hardware and software deployment, maintenance, and repair. My role also included managing the school’s local and wide-area networks, ensuring robust IT security, and supporting a network infrastructure capable of accommodating both owned and guest devices.
In addition to operational responsibilities, I was deeply involved in strategic IT planning and road mapping, driving innovation by implementing new technologies to strengthen the school’s IT infrastructure. I managed the IT budget, including procurement, supplier relations, and contract negotiations, while reporting to key stakeholders on performance and progress. Compliance audits, IT security policies, and disaster recovery planning were essential parts of my role, as was maintaining documentation of changes to users, functions, and systems. I also focused on staff development, recruiting and training new team members and upskilling existing staff to ensure the IT department remained agile and effective. My responsibilities extended to managing server software, backup routines, and the internal and hosted network infrastructure, including firewalls, servers, and switches, to support the school’s evolving needs.
Sheffield High School is part of the Girls’ Day School Trust (GDST), a nationwide network of schools. This affiliation provided me with the opportunity to collaborate with ICT Operations Managers from other schools on group-wide initiatives. I also worked closely with the central services team to develop and implement new solutions across the network. By fostering a strong relationship with the central services team, I was frequently selected to pilot large-scale projects, as well as mentor newly appointed ICT Operations Managers within the group.
As an ICT Technician at Sheffield High School, I played a vital role in the IT Support Team, maintaining the school’s IT networks and systems to ensure they effectively supported teaching, learning, and administrative functions.
As an ICT Technician at Energy Cost Advisors Group, I assisted staff with the installation, configuration, and ongoing usability of system hardware and software, ensuring seamless operation and user support.
After leaving school, I gained experience in various roles before pursuing my passion and embarking on a career in IT.