An independent technical adviser on your side.
For founders, boards and investors who need an expert, independent view. Due diligence before an acquisition, a second opinion on a supplier proposal, or a clear answer on whether to repair, replace or rebuild.
Also known asTechnical AdviserTechnology ConsultantIT Consultant
When you need an independent view.
A supplier quote you cannot judge.
An agency or integrator has quoted months of work. You need someone on your side to say whether it is right, and what the alternatives are.
You are buying a business.
IT due diligence that finds the real risks and costs before you commit, written so the deal team can act on it.
Repair, replace or rebuild?
A system is struggling and opinions differ. You want an honest, evidence-based answer before you spend the money.
A dispute with a supplier.
Delivery has gone wrong and you need a credible technical case, for negotiation or for arbitration.
The board wants a second opinion.
Plans from the internal team or a supplier need independent challenge before they are approved.
Security or compliance questions.
A customer, insurer or regulator is asking questions that need a clear, accurate technical answer.
Clear findings, in plain English.
IT due diligence
Systems, security, suppliers, people and technical debt, assessed and written up with the risks and costs that matter.
Proposal and quote reviews
A line-by-line challenge of supplier proposals, with realistic alternatives and estimates.
Architecture and risk assessments
An honest look at how a system is built, how it will scale, and where it is likely to fail.
Repair or rebuild decisions
The options compared on cost, risk, practicality and speed, with a clear recommendation.
Supplier disputes
Technical evidence and expert support for negotiations, mediation or arbitration.
Ongoing adviser seat
A regular technical voice for the board or investors, without an operating role in the business.
Where I have done this before.
Royal Mail
Solutions Architect
Assured the proposals of a tier-one global systems integrator, the group’s main IT supplier. Showed how a project they quoted at 395 days could be delivered in five using internal resources, saving around £100k per project.
Pollen Street Capital
Head of IT Infrastructure
Took over all infrastructure from an exiting IT unit in two weeks, across three offices while onboarding a fourth. Led the technology for a move to new offices, including leased lines, the comms room and structured cabling. Cut Azure and Office 365 costs by around 30% and advised on IT due diligence for acquisitions.
NetOTC
Corporate IT Manager
Represented the company in a technical arbitration with a dysfunctional offshore development team, with an outcome strongly in our favour. Negotiated master services agreements, statements of work and service levels.
Three simple steps.
- 01
A free conversation
30 minutes to tell me what is going on. We work out whether I am the right person to help.
- 02
A short review
I look at your systems, team, suppliers and plans, and give you a clear written view with priorities. For smaller businesses, this is the fixed-price Independent IT Review.
- 03
The right engagement
An advisory retainer, a few days a month, a defined project, or interim cover. Whatever the review shows you need.
Where I am not the right fit.
Being clear about this up front saves us both time.
- Day-to-day IT support. Fixing individual laptops, printers or passwords. Your IT support company is better placed for that, and I can help you get more from them.
- A developer by the day. Hands-on work, yes, but as part of owning the outcome, not as an extra pair of hands without the senior responsibility.
- Equity-only roles. Work paid only in shares. I am happy to talk about how an engagement is structured, but partial ownership is a long-term route, not a consulting one.
- Rubber-stamping. Signing off a decision that has already been made. If I think it is the wrong call, I will say so.
- Technology for its own sake. AI, a rebuild or a new platform where a simpler, cheaper option would do the job just as well.
Common questions.
Is this a one-off piece of work?
It can be. Many engagements are a defined review with a written report. Others become an ongoing adviser seat for the board or investors.
What do you need from us?
Usually documentation, conversations with the people involved, and where it helps, read-only access to systems. We agree the scope at the start.
Will you tell us if the plan is wrong?
Yes. That is the point. If the right call is a cheaper option, a different approach, or not spending the money at all, I will say so.
Do you have sector experience?
Finance and FinTech, private equity, insurance, logistics, eCommerce, FMCG, legal, retail, software and SaaS, among others.
The same person, in a different role.
Fractional CTO
I take the senior technology seat for a few days a month. Strategy and roadmap, architecture, budgets, suppliers, security and hiring, reported to the board in plain English.
Read moreFractional IT Director
For established businesses that need their technology run properly. Systems, infrastructure, security, suppliers and automation, steadied quickly and handed back with a clear roadmap.
Read moreAutomation & AI
Connect the systems you already have, automate the manual work, and use AI where it genuinely helps. Websites, portals and backends, designed and built properly.
Read moreCloud & platform
Hands-on design and delivery on Azure, AWS and Cloudflare. Migrations, landing zones, cost optimisation, monitoring, disaster recovery and secure-by-design standards.
Read moreOperations & turnaround
When systems and operations need fixing fast, I step in, restructure what is not working, and leave the business running better than I found it.
Read more
Tell me what you’re working on.
A few lines is enough. I’ll reply personally, and if I’m not the right fit I’ll tell you, and point you to someone who is, if I can. The first 30-minute conversation is free.
Prefer a call? Leave your number in the form and I’ll ring you back.