Moving on from full time work.

After 40 years learning, developing and leading fantastic IT teams in some great businesses, it’s time to do something different and finish full time work. Some will know I have a wide range of hobbies (music, walking, bell ringing, sailing) and I’ve also become the proud owner of a 1999 VW T4 camper van, so I’m not going to be bored. You can follow us on Instagram @T4Victor!

I’ve had the pleasure to work alongside and also build teams with some fantastic people who I’m going to miss loads. If you don't mind, a shout out for a few people who made a huge difference.

Professor Harry Marsh, my tutor at Durham, who taught me that engineering is about recognising what you have in front of you, then picking and applying the right solution and techniques. After a long career it turns out that’s true for most work scenarios too. Don't forget repeating the things that didn’t work and hoping for different results does not!

Ron, my first boss at Alcan, who helped me realise I was better at computers than being an engineer and let me use my strengths; that's so important in any team.

Stephen Pownall CIO at Mars who spotted and moved me from engineering to business computing and supported me through a period of mild depression. Thanks for seeing the potential in me and helping in the days when it was not OK to talk about things like that. Peter Sullivan also helped me as an informal coach and mentor through that period.

Neil Espin my coach and mentor through many years at Britannia who brought out the best in me. The ILM Level 7 Exec coaching and mentoring qualification was tough and the best thing I ever did, with Neil and Vicki Espin MA.

My IT team at Britannia Building Society. We achieved amazing things thank you all. Too many people and awards to mention but you know who you are. Thanks to Martin Ellison for giving me that opportunity.

David Matthewman for the opportunity to move into the Higher Education Sector at The Open University. The OU taught me there was far more to work then pursuit of profit, and some of the academics I was able to rub shoulders were truly awesome - landing probes on comets, ground breaking medical research and more.

Charles Haresnape and Rob Fellows who brought me into Aldermore and gave me the opportunity for a fun final stage of my full time career.

There are a few other people along the way that I learnt tons from (and this is dangerous as I will miss some out). Damian Fessey who has been a great fun person to work with through much of my time at Aldermore, David Trafford from whom I learnt about how to make change and programmes successful. Ed Wells from Pen Partners, who as well as doing specific pieces of work for me, has been a great sounding board and support. Dave Chatham from project one, who helped me during the Coop days to keep moving forward. Kerry Phillips-Bland for just being a role model leader, I am humbled to have brought her into Britanna, the rest of what she is done is because she is an amazing leader. Jon Potter at Harvey Nash for just being a great person, he happens to do recruitment, my go to person, but he is so much more than that.

So, I enjoy

• leading and developing teams,
• delivering benefits and outcomes through change,
• coaching and mentoring individuals and
• sorting out complex situations through providing clarity and direction.

I’ve also had fun recently driving a Microsoft Teams roll out including virtual face to face training for over 800 people. The bridge between a demanding business and leading an IT function is complex and difficult space to occupy, but very satisfying. If you want to share experiences or need help and guidance on any of those topics, please get in touch. 

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