Andy Ekins CV

ANDY EKINS

Information Professional and Project Manager

A highly respected project manager with a proven track record of delivering large scale and complex projects utilising both traditional and agile techniques. Proven leadership qualities, both in terms of team management and directing external partnerships. Substantial experience of delivering IT solutions, utilising internal development teams, external consultancy, and procurement to EU tendering standards. An excellent communicator at all levels, highly motivated, and thrives under pressure

Experience

2012 to present - University of Kent - Project Manager (fixed-term contract)

Project management of a varied and complex programme of improvement projects within an information services department.

Reclassification - a large scale and complex change project with a budget of £750,000; requiring services procurement using the EU tendering process.
System automation - a programme of three projects delivering an automated solution to replace a legacy acquisitions process
Aspire - two large system implementation and integration projects across two organisations, with a user base of over 20,000
Service review - a project to review current practise, implement disability support, and pilot possible service replacements
Data project - a project to review the use of data through user interfaces with an outcome of recommendations for future developments

2003 to 2012 - Canterbury Christ Church University - Senior Systems Officer

The management and development of a wide range of IT projects including web based search systems, online authentication solutions, and large scale application integrations.

Project and programme management including PRINCE2 and Agile techniques
Management and motivation of cross-departmental teams
Risk and change management of diverse and complex projects
Extensive experience of a large range of information systems

Participation in many national and international technology initiatives, conferences, and focus groups:

Founder of the barcamp-Canterbury technology conference
Member of the CPD25 library operations management steering group
Coordinator of the SFX & MetaLib product group for EPUG-UKI (ExLibris Products User Group . UK & Ireland)
Editor of the HELIBTECH (Higher Education Library Technology) wiki in association with SCONUL (Society of College, National and University Libraries).

Teaching within the Computing Department:

CCCU Computing Department - Programming and the Software Process
CCCU Computing Department - Operating Systems
CCCU Computing Department - Software Productivity Tools

2000 to 2003 - Canterbury Christ Church University - Senior Web Systems Officer

Tasked with the expansion of the university.s web infrastructure to bring about positive and rapid change, whilst maintaining service and standards compliance.

Project managed a complete review and upgrade of the existing infrastructure.
Managed a team of web and data experts in the delivery and support of the University.s web infrastructure.
Coordination of cross-departmental working groups.

1997 to 2000 - Canterbury College - IT Network & helpdesk Manager

The Management of an IT support team

Management of helpdesk, systems, and network support to all staff and students within a further education college.
Purchasing and budget responsibility for all IT related equipment for the college.
Administration of the WAN connection to JANET including the management of all related technology.

Teaching within the Computing Department:

Canterbury College Computing Department . Cisco CCNA networking courses

Qualifications and training

2011 - Federated Access Management Deployment using OpenAthens LA

The installation and configuration of a federated access management solution provided by EduServ to bring about single single-on across applications and resources.

2011 - Project Management refresher training

In-depth project management refresher training specialising in different project management techniques relating to systems selection, procurement, and development. The training included traditional techniques and methodologies, such as waterfall and PRINCE2, and innovative techniques such as Agile.

2008 - Federated Access Management Deployment using Shibboleth

The installation and deployment of technologies surrounding the Shibboleth open source package to assist in developing a single sign-on system for federated access management.

2005 to 2008 - Masters in Management (Canterbury Christ Church University)

The Management Masters delivered a broad and thorough grounding in Management theory and practice.

Project Management
Risk Management
Information Management
Change Management

2005 - Oracle Administration

An intensive, week long, residential course in the administration of Oracle, to include:

Installation and customisations of Oracle
Database creation and administration
Oracle Forms
SQL-plus and PL-SQL
Backup, maintenance, and troubleshooting

2003 - PRINCE2 Project Management

Intensive course in PRINCE2 project management techniques including:

system selection techniques
communication strategies
risk assessment and contingency planning

2002 - Microsoft Certified Professional + Internet

The Microsoft Certified Professional + Internet (MCP+I) credential was for professionals who install and configure server products, manage server resources, extend servers to run CGI scripts or ISAPI scripts, monitor and analyze performance, plan security, and troubleshoot problems.

1999 to 2004 - BSc (Hons) Computing & IT (Open University)

The BSc degree was primarily focused on software and systems development. The degree content included:

Programming- An Object Oriented Approach
Software Engineering . Distributed Systems
Relational Databases
Artificial Intelligence for Technology
Systems Management
Final dissertation project on Artificial Intelligence

Professional bodies

British Computing Society (BCS)

References

Available upon request

Andy Ekins
2 Queens Gardens, Herne Bay, Kent, CT6 5BS

Home: 01227 361264
Mobile: 07986 500850

andy@aekins.co.uk