Marcus Lashley

Marcus LashleY Accomplished IT executive with extensive board-level experience in manufacturing and retail sectors. A background in accountancy and sales provides a holistic understanding of business operations and organisational needs. A proven manager and sociable person with an instinctive understanding of people, what drives them and how to motivate them. A skilled change facilitator with deep technical expertise, having led numerous businesses through successful digital transformations and ERP implementations. Leading the transformation of organisations systems, processes, and infrastructure from foundational setups to robust, enterprise-class environments. Experience Head Of IT08/2020 to Current Conservatory Insulations Reporting to the Managing Director and CEO of the largest installer of Conservatory Insulation in the UK. Responsible for all IT equipment, systems and infrastructure as well as building the IT Team Developed and integrated a CRM and contract management system, optimizing sales presentations and client relations, which resulted in a 30% increase in order values, a 22% rise in conversions, and an 8% reduction in cancellations. Installed fibre network with complete failover on Cisco Meraki infrastructure Introduced new automated documentation processes reducing man hours by 75% Created, Designed, Implemented and optimised 3 new websites Developed new digital marketing strategy and engaged staff to implement Built and Managed MySQL database of all customer contacts and contracts to allow automated marketing and compliance Wrote and developed all policies including IT, Privacy, PCI and GDPR Enhanced a complete off site back up system Digitally transformed all core services to Cloud Platform (Google Cloud Platform) Responsible for all external IT contract negotiations and security Helped develop 3 new businesses Identified and developed new social media advertising to become major lead source Lead training course for all staff on GDPR and security Head Of IT03/2016 to 08/2020 Project Better Energy Group Project Solar / Project EV / Zanussi Solar / Project Air Source / CÜRV360 Reporting to the Financial director and CEO of the largest domestic solar installer in the UK. Instrumental in the promotion and development of 3 new businesses within the group. Collaborated with CÜRV360 MD re best practice for manufacture of IOT products Corporate expert and leader of PCI, Privacy and GDPR policy implementation and practice Implemented cyber security policies and software solutions (Including penetration testing of Network, Cloud platforms and Manufactured IOT devices) Digitally transformed core services to Cloud Platform (Google / Microsoft Azure) Implemented software overhaul to Windows 2016, Office 365, Exchange online & SharePoint platform Built support and development teams from the ground up (10+) Defined and implemented group core IT strategy linking disparate systems to create in house ERP Oversaw definition and implementation of ten bespoke in house systems. (PHP / Laravel / Cake) Introduced Dev team to Agile Scrum, using Gitlab implementing continuous improvement and continuous delivery best practise Established automated test platform using Selenium, Eclipse, Java and Cucumber Managed three core system re-writes (ASP.NET / SQL) Removed repetitive data collection by refining corporate systems and developed full ERP solution Negotiated new contracts for unified comms system and print solution saving 35% each Managed relocation of entire Head Office to purpose built site while maintaining business as usual Lead training course for all staff on GDPR and security Group IT Director 09/2009 to 03/2016 Bluewave International - Hot House Roof & Energy Company – Curved Air Global Group Lead reporting to the Chairman and responsible for two IT companies and two Direct marketing companies Presented new technology products to South African Consulate, Capita, Talk Talk, Welcome break and Moto. Invented IT based route to market, generating new revenue stream worth £7M per annum Identified, designed and implemented new call centre software solution supporting over 100 users Part of UK trade delegation to visit outsourcing facility in Vietnam Developed ‘Big Data’ solution handling call recordings of 2 million calls a month Wrote CRM, Commission and personnel systems Implemented new electronic sales tool Represented board in meetings with ICO and DMA Head Hunted to the business by Chairman Group IT Manager 06/2008 to 09/2009 My House Group Zennith Staybright Ltd - Space Kitchens Ltd - Weatherseal Ltd - Frankly Digital Ltd - Premier Frames Ltd - Spectus Ltd - Job Worth Doing Ltd (Latium Group) Responsible for Group IT, reporting to T/O Group MD and Group Finance Director. Managed and implemented absorption of IT systems of Spectus Manufacturing Company after takeover Established group 5 year IT strategic plan. Presented IT Strategy to 30 senior directors at group conference Managed IT budget of £3M Directed SEO for group of companies with annual online advertising budget of £1.25M Managing Director designate of Frankly Digital Tendered and Implemented WAN service, reducing costs by 45% increasing connectivity 75%. Promoted To Group head of IT after MD witnessed achievements at Space Kitchens IT Manager 03/2002 to 06/2008 Space Kitchens IT lead reporting to FD of £50M turnover business Developed my own SEO department increasing online sales by £2M Designed, developed and implemented national VPN for 22 sites including Sales and Installation. Designed, developed and implemented CRM solution. (Saving £200K) Wrote integration software to produce Product lists, Costings and CNC manufacture from CAD Drawing of a kitchen Mentored graduates to become highly valued IT professionals who have become key in their respective organisations Operations Director 10/1997 to 03/2002 Daffodil IT Ltd IT Training & Development Officer / Assistant Management Accountant 11/1994 to 10/1997 East Yorkshire NHS Trust Education BA (Hons): Business Information Systems 1996 Relational Database Design • Knowledge Based Systems  • Systems Development Methodologies HND Business Studies 1988 Accountancy & Finance • Financial Accounting •Management Accounting •Business Law •Corporate Law Microsoft Windows Server- Technical Skills Servers:- All Microsoft Sever Technologies From NT through to 2019 (Group Policies, Active Directory) Databases:- All SQL Server from 2000 to 2016, MYSQL Server Software:- Dynamics, Exchange, Google Cloud Platform, MySQL, Linux Development:- Visual Studio (ASP.NET, VB.NET, PHP,JAVA), HTML, XML, IIS, SEO, Laravel, Selenium Networking:- Cisco Meraki, Cisco Routers, VPN, TCP/IP, DNS, WAN, IPv6, VOIP User Software:- Windows 11, Visio, Project, Adobe Creative Suite, Office 365, Sophos, Google Workspace Additional Information I am a highly motivated professional, continuously seeking self-improvement through learning and adapting to new technologies and methodologies. During my spare time I listen to audio books to help improve my understanding of new technologies and methodologies as well as honing my knowledge of business practice and people. I regularly attend conferences on electronic security, latest technology and strategies to keep myself abreast of the latest trends and developments. I am currently undergoing training in AI and how it can assist in development roles. I have 1 daughter in the final year of her degree while the other is becoming a physics teacher at a school in Nottingham, so my time as a personal taxi service and bank are coming to an end. Having more free time means my wife and I enjoy walking and cycling as well as socialising. I enjoy European wines and spend most holidays at my house in France. References REFERENCES Available on request.