CURRICULUM VITAE : Tred Magill

PERSONAL DETAILS

QUALIFICATIONS

PROFILE

Digital Analyst/Project Manager with 15+ years of commercial experience delivering solutions for publishing, communications, content management, knowledge management, technical support, technical governance and CRM functions ...

... to a variety of organisations in public, private and NGO sectors, including: Fasthosts Internet, Samaritans, BBC, Home Office, BP, Truvo, Whitbread, CQC and the Financial Services Authority (FSA).

Key skills:

• Good organisational and project management skills (Prince2 certified, Agile, CVP and PMBOK) and experience managing multiple stakeholders and external suppliers (some off-shore), to deliver business benefits.

• Change management experience, working with multi-disciplinary teams to define and implement business processes to manage change and transition applications into business-as-usual (operations).

• Excellent analytic and communication skills, the technical background to interpret ordinary language into functional and technical requirements; and the written and verbal communication and influencing skills to present these to people at all levels.

• Solid technical skills (HTML, XML, CSS, Javascript, SQL, ADO, ASP), application development (SDLC), hosting infrastructure (IP networks, DNS), domain management, SEO and web analytics (WebTrends, Google Analystics, SiteCatalyst); and a thorough understanding of how it all 'hangs together'.

• Diverse content management experience, using a variety of tools and technologies (Dreamweaver, FrontPage, MediaSurface/Morello, Sharepoint, CQ5, WordPress); and experience developing bespoke content management tools, or managing CMS applications for digital communications teams (content producers/managers).

• Excellent editorial skills, with commercial experience as a journalist, technical author and web editor, producing documentation, copy and visual material, including photo and video-graphic production.

• Extensive media production experience using a variety of production tools, to produce news, technical, corporate and marketing communications; for broadcast, print and digital.

Further 8 years commercial experience in news broadcast and publishing environments, having worked in various editorial and production roles, as: Managing Editor, Television Production Editor, Political Reporter, General Reporter, Sub-Editor (copy), Sub-Editor (design), Web Editor and QPS Analyst; co-ordinating both television and newspaper production, managing editorial and production staff (up to 15-strong), meeting daily and weekly deadlines on numerous publications.

WORK EXPERIENCE

News Journalist/Rearcher : Freelance : Jan 2018 - Present

Freelance journalist, regularly submitting self-initiated reports, published by News24, IOL, Daily Maverick and GroundUp.

• Self-initiated investigation and research of community issues, mostly environmental and also abuse of human rights; working to deadlines to submit reports for publication.
• Completed research project for a legal firm, to document socio-political conditions in South Africa, as effected by 'State Capture' and the 'Zupta Regime'.
• Conceptualised and developed a digital prototype for an online publication platform.

Notes (Other activities):

• Also work as a freelance tour guide with a focus on outdoor adventures, during the tourist season (Oct-Mar).
• Manage a property-owning family Trust.
• Visited the UK to obtain the APMG certification in Change Management - July 2019.
• Extended my guiding qualifications, completing courses and assessment to obtain Cathsetta accreditation for Abseil Supervisor (July 2018) and Cultural guide (June 2018)

Trustee, Executor : CBIT, Personal : Jan 2016 - Dec 2017

Attended to winding up of estate and family trust.

• Managed the sale of Trust property and disbursement of assets.
• Wound up my mother's estate, after her passing-away in June 2016.

IT Consultant (Business Analysis) : Capsicum Culinary Studio : Jun - Nov 2015

Business analysis, working with key stakeholders, senior managers and functionaries to draft a specification for a Student Management System and Integrated Learning Platform; to achieve the company's IT vision.

IT Consultant (Strategy) : Capsicum Culinary Studio : Apr 2015

• Definition of IT vision and strategy ... working with the senior management team to understand, elaborate, define, document and present the organisations IT vision ... and strategy to achieve it.

IT Consultant (Interim IT Manager) : Capsicum Culinary Studio : Jan - Mar 2015

Interim IT Manager, responsible for IT services to 100 users in 6 branches countrywide.

• Direction of IT support staff
• Monitoring of day-to-day operations
• Procurement and asset management
• Supplier management

IT Consultant (Operations) : Capsicum Culinary Studio : July - Sept 2014

Part-time direction of IT department, focusing on quality assurance of IT processes, documentation and communications, to improve IT services and performance:

• Attend and direct weekly IT department meetings
• Quality control of Support Call Log, Daily status reports, Infrastructure and network diagrams, Change Control Log, IT asset (hardware/software) register and Standard Operating Procedures
• Performance management of IT department
• Analysis of IT infrastructure resources and capabilities

IT Consultant (QA) : Capsicum Culinary Studio : June 2104

IT Audit and evaluation

• Internal audit of IT processes and documentation
• Evaluation of IT services and 'fitness for purpose' of IT infrastructure

English Teacher : EC English : May 2014

Freelance English teaching assignment over two weeks, teaching English to intermediate level students.

• Lesson preparation and presentation
• Liaise with colleague teachers for lesson planning
• Class register
• Test administration and student feedback

English Teacher : Cape Studies : May 2014

Part-time assignment of 8hrs teaching English for beginners

• Lesson preparation, Teaching, Register, Hand-over

Update - Study break : Mar - Apr 2014

Successfully completed the CELTA (TEFL teacher) training course at International House in Cape Town.

Update - Relocation : Nov 2013 - Jan 2014

Relocated to South Africa for compassionate reasons and to wind up a Trust.

Notes (Other activities):

• Worked as a freelance (specialist) adventure (mountaineering) guide, leading tourists up Table Mountain.

Update - Study and travel break : Aug - Nov 2013

Notes (Other activities):

• Completed Agile course to achieve Scrummaster certification (Scrum Alliance) - Sept 2013
• Travelled to Ireland and went snowboarding in the French Alps - Nov 2013

Digital Project Manager : Learning & Skills Improvement Service : Apr - Jul 2013

Managing the transfer of digital content and infrastructure, as LSIS prepares for closure; as part of the Government austerity programme.

• Scoping and project planning – producing WBS, PID and RAID
• Working with various stakeholders to gather specifications and documentation, for transfer.
• Working with various stakeholders to identify system interdependencies, scenarios and to prepare mitigations.
• Producing checklists and control documents to track and validate closure and decommissioning (or transfer) of services and contracts.

Digital Analyst : Sapient Nitro : Feb - Mar 2013

Gathering and documenting functional requirements for migration of RBS digital communications channel (www.rbs.co.uk) to Adobe CQ CMS.

• Gathering requirements in consultations, workshops with RBS stakeholders and Sapient Nitro technical team.
• Specifying functional requirements from wireframes, content modelling and information architecture.
• Elaborating specifications to define content management functionality for RBS content editors.
• Working with CQ experts to evaluate and define required levels of CQ customisation.

Update : Freelance : Jun - Dec 2012

SEO consultation (yourmatechecker.com) – analysis and proposal, including optimisation of page weight, META tags, keywords, content, hyperlinks and link building; and implementation of Google Analytics. Tools: Wordpress, Google Analytics

Notes (Other activities):

• Surgery to left ankle, resulting from sports injury.
• Attend to family business in South Africa
• Study break to complete ITIL v3 certification.
• Summer break to Chamonix, hiking in French Alps.

Digital Project Manager : Financial Services Authority (Money Advice Service) : Feb - May 2012

Analysed and documented business and functional requirements for the Money Mindset and Financial Health Check online tools; and co-ordinated development, delivery and integration of the tools, for re-launch of the Money Advice Service (www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk).

• Worked closely with the Proposition Manager to define the proposition and document requirements.
• Supported the Proposition Manager to gain proposition and budget approval from the project board.
• Communicated business and functional requirements to members of the team.
• Co-ordinated production and delivery of design, development and integration.

Change Manager : Care Quality Commission : Nov - Dec 2011

Designed and implemented change management processes for the Digital Communications Team, working with cross-functional team members to deliver change requests to the public-facing website (www.cqc.org.uk) and Drupal CMS.

• Consulted with team members to identify and document key functional areas and dependencies.
• Designed the change management process from business requirement gathering through development to delivery; with key gates stages and management controls.
• Worked closely with the development manager to prioritise and manage bugs backlog.
• Presented the process via a series of workshops to solicit feedback and secure buy-in.
• Worked with the project support officer (PSO) to set up Change and Bug Logs, templates and documentation.

Digital Analyst/Project Manager : Whitbread Plc : May - Oct 2011

Managed suppliers and key business stakeholders to deliver restaurant brand websites (www.brewersfayre.co.uk, www.taybarns.co.uk) and transition these into support.

• Co-ordinated the work of suppliers to deliver restaurant brand websites, including design, application development, hosting and CQ5 CMS.
• Tracked and managed application and CMS bugs and issues, working with suppliers to resolve these.
• Managed key stakeholders, working with the business (marketing) to define functional and technical requirements, to deliver change requests.
• Defined support roles, responsibilities and processes (also deployment and UAT processes) and worked with service delivery to transition these to operations (business-as-usual), with application support in India.

Web Consultant : Digital Prospects : Feb - Apr 2011

Freelance web consultant to the SME market, advising on a range of web products and services:

• Web development, Hosting solutions, Domain registration and management, Web analytics, Search engine optimization, Usability

Update - travel break : Sept 2010 - Jan 2011

Offered a contract with Vodafone in December, which was unfortunately withdrawn when Vodafone found and filled the position with a permanent recruit.

Notes (Other activities):

• Spent Christmas and New Year with family and returned to the job market in February 2011.

Digital Project Manager : Truvo : Jun - Aug 2010

Co-ordinated and managed various initiatives for delivery of new online products - iPhone app, Virtual Paper and Virtual Tour, for the New Media division.

• Supervised business and functional requirements gathering for an iPhone application.
• Liaised with Product Manager and marketing stakeholders.
• Engaged external suppliers for estimates of cost/time, statement of work.
• Project planning, work-breakdown structure and GANTT charts.
• Procured iPhone developer resource.
• Co-ordinated production of support documentation for online products.

Project Manager : CBIT Investment Trust : Nov 2009 - Apr 2010

Managed a property renovation project, ahead of the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

• Defined and documented requirements.
• Solicited quotations from 3rd party suppliers and contracted chosen suppliers.
• Daily, on-site management of contractors and completion of work to specifications.
• Contingency planning and change management of adapted specifications.
• Checking work to specifications and signing off work completed.
• Liaised with and contracted service providers.

Intranet Manager : BP : Apr 2008 - Oct 2009

Supported roll-out of Sharepoint CMS and managed the global "I need" intranet portal (ineed2.bp.com) for the Indirect Procurement segment of BP.

• Worked as a content management specialist to resolve content management (CMS) issues and support delivery of the (Sharepoint) CMS and bespoke content management application.
• Engaged and manged stakeholders and content owners to deliver the content work stream for knowledge management of Indirect Procurement P2P systems, policies and procedures.
• Used the CMS to capture content and work with communications staff to quality check content.
• Liaised with communications staff to plan and co-ordinate communication campaigns, to rollout the portal to BP offices worldwide.
• Promoted usage of the portal and provided business support to users.
• Defined requirements for enhancements to the CMS, including improved information architecture and compliance with W3C standards; and liaised with 3rd party developers to deliver, test and integrate enhancements.
• Reported deployment progress (CVP) and portal usage to the Program Manager.
• Defined and documented operational procedures and hand-over to off-shore operations centre.

Update - travel break : Dec 2007 - Feb 2008

Took a holiday break to visit China, Thailand, South Africa and Nambia.

• Hong Kong - 2 days
• Guanzhou, China - visiting a friend for a week.
• Thailand - 2 days in Bangkok and 5 days in Pattaya
• South Africa - 1 week in Cape Town, 2 days in Jeffreys Bay; then drove across Africa, from Jeffreys Bay to Johannesburg, through Botswana to Windhioek Namibia and on to Swakopmund on the Atlantic coast, and then back to Cape Town.

Change Project Manager : Home Office : Apr - Dec 2007

Managed the hosting infrastructure of government websites (www.homeoffice.gov.uk), including CMS and web applications, for the Home Office web services team; managing suppliers and driving the change program.

• Oversaw the hosting infrastructure (Apache, Tomcat, Mediasurface, Oracle) to ensure continuous availability of government websites.
• Managed external suppliers of hosting infrastructure, DNS, maintenance, backups.
• Oversaw bug resolution of the (Mediasurface/Morello) CMS and (J2EE) web applications.
• Managed roll-out of successive iterations of J2EE web applications, through development life-cycle.
• Led change management process, using the Ace project management tool; and driving change requests through to Change Acceptance Board and roll-out.
• Defined (or consulted) in respect of policy and requirements for technical assurance, web standards, business continuity/disaster recovery and others.

Web Standards and Compliance Manager : BBC : Oct 2005 - Apr 2007

Change (knowledge) management of evolving design and technical standards and quality assurance processes, including compliance with Data Protection Act and Disability Discrimination Act; across seven content-commissioning divisions of the BBC (www.bbc.co.uk/guidelines/futuremedia/).

• Coordinated technical and design workgroups to define and review web standards and guidelines.
• Worked with experts to author/document standards; and editing these to required format and standards.
• Chaired design and technical forums to gain consensus and approval for standards and guidelines.
• Published standards on the BBC intranet and on the public-facing website; and content managed these.
• Redesigned the structure and processes for divisional representation on workgroups, forums and executive and drove this through for approval by the New Media Board.
• Led the Standards Executive to formalise quality assurance processes and liaised with external supplier (Red Bee) of acceptance testing and quality assurance of BBC websites.
• Championed standards and influenced cross-divisional stakeholders across seven content-commissioning divisions of the BBC.
• Adjudicated exceptions to standards and providing guidance to technical leads and executive producers.
• Communicated standards and guidelines internally and externally and acted as a point of contact for the W3C, Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB), Data Protection Unit (internal) and Disability Rights Commission (DRC), among others.

Web Consultant/Developer : Samaritans : Aug - Sept 2005

Developed bespoke content management system for Samaritans partner website (www.befrienders.org) and online CRM system to manage international member organisations.

• Consulted with international officer to identify, define business requirements.
• Documented requirements and submit proposal.
• Developed bespoke content management system (ASP) for updating multi-lingual website content.
• Developed bespoke CRM system, including online updating and data-vetting functionality.
• Managed external suppliers of web hosting and domain management services.

Maths Teacher : Gloucestershire College of Arts and Technology : Mar 2004

Taught GCSE mathematics to a small class of adults, standing in for teacher on sick leave.

• prepared lesson plans and teaching support material
• taught two hour lessons twice a week.
• administrative tasks (take register).

Content Manager/Technical Editor : Fasthosts Internet : Jan 2004 - Jul 2005

Coordinated and produced technical support documentation; and content managed the technical support knowledgebase (xtreme.fasthosts.co.uk). Also produced other technical support documentation, including Quick Start Guides, White Papers, FAQs and worked with technical support department to improve this.

• Identified support documentation requirements, liaising with 1st and 2nd line support and managers.
• Co-ordinated production of support material, liaising with developers and 2nd line technical support.
• Defined information architecture and created templates.
• Wrote, edited, proof-read support documentation.
• Captured support material in content (knowledge) management system; specifying meta-data, including classification categories and keywords to ensure easy retrieval of support material.
• Published technical support documentation to support website (xtreme.fasthosts.co.uk).
• Produced Quick Start Guides, White Papers, FAQs and other manuals, illustrating the use of hosting services and related technologies, to customers.
• Attended daily customer ops meetings, reporting knowledgebase usage statistics.
• Developed knowledgebase content management tools (ASP, HTML, CSS, and SQL).
• Researched and compiled a proposal to improve online technical support, reduce customer dependence on the support call centre; and thus also reduce the overheads cost of the call centre.

Web Developer : Transport for London : Dec 2003 - Jan 2004

Updated content of the corporate intranet and public website (www.tfl.gov.uk)

ICT Support Technician : Pimlico School : Nov 2003

Supported Windows 2000 accounts for students and staff; also supporting and maintaining school network and classroom workstations and printers.

• Windows Server 2000

Philosophy Tutor : Dunraven School : Sept - Oct 2003

Covered 2 tutorials for 6th form philosophy teacher.

• lead discussion group of moral philosophy - deontological and utilitarian theories.

ICT Support Technician : Dunraven School : Sept 2003 - Oct 2003

Supported deployment of new ICT equipment for teachers and students.

• build/support wireless networked notebooks, wireless PDA and applications
• build/support XP and Windows 98 workstations, for both students and teachers.

Web Editor : Islington & Shoreditch Housing Association : Sept 2003

Updated editorial content of the organisation website. Tools: HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Photoshop

Web Designer/Developer : Patisserie Organic : Aug - Sept 2003

Provided consultation and web development service to design, develop and implement the organisation website (www.patisserieorganic.co.uk).

• Consulted with client to define website requirements and submit proposal.
• Designed graphics and animated menu bar using Adobe Photoshop, Jasc PaintShop Pro.
• Created HTML template, CSS stylesheets.
• Designed product database (Ms Access).
• Developed web application (ASP) to search and display products.
• Developed content management application for in-house maintenace of the product database.
• Liaised with external suppliers of web hosting service and DNS (A and Mx records).

IT Technician : Hurlingham & Chelsea School : Aug 2003

Assembled and prepared new Pentium 4 machines for deployment.

• Mount CPUs & heatsink.
• Install motherboards.
• Connect cabling.
• Setting jumper configurations.
• Ghosting hard-disk drives (XP OS).
• Boot test.

Web Developer : Islington & Shoreditch Housing Association : Aug 2003

Provided web development service for organisation website (www.isha.gov.uk).

• Consulted with IT manager, to define client requirements.
• Updated template for website.
• Added interactive submission forms - with ASP, JavaScript.
• Edited copy for website.

ICT Support Technician : NewVic 6th Form College : July - Aug 2003

Contracted to re-organise the ICT teaching laboratory and installation of desktops.

• re-organise IT teaching laboratory.
• setup/install and build new P4 machines at various campus locations.
• develop consumable stock control application in ASP for IT support dept.

Web Designer/Developer : Islington & Shoreditch Housing Association : May - June 2003

Designed and developed the organisation website (www.isha.co.uk).

• Consult with IT manager, regarding design issues.
• Designed graphics (Adobe PhotoShop) and template for website.
• Layout/design of website using Dreamweaver, HTML and JavaScript.
• Editing copy for website.

Update - Relocation : Dec 2002 - Feb 2003

Returned to South Africa for two months to relocate my family to the UK, in February 2003.

Librarian/ICT support : Haverstock Secondary School : Sept - Dec 2002

Managed the school library and provided ICT support to students visiting the library.

ICT Tutor : Maddalana Kind : Sept 2002 - Sept 2002

Personal tutor to Maddalana Kind, presenting 3 two-hour training sessions.

IT Auditor : Getronics : Jun 2002

Worked with a team to run an audit of IT assets at AXA offices in Southern England (Bristol, Tonbridge Wells, Haverhill and London (Aldgate).

Sub-Editor : The Independent (Independent Newspapers) : May 2002

Freelance sub-editing shifts at The Independent, using Quark CopyDesk to edit copy for publication. Tools: Quark CopyDesk

Update - Relocation : May 2002

Relocated from South Africa to London, UK in May 2002.

Notes (Other activities):

• Traveled to Switzerland, hiking in the Swiss Alps.

Mountain Guide : Table Mountain Tours : 1999 - 2002

Teamed up with a Cape Town-based tour operator to start a part-time mountain guiding business; guiding numerous (mostly British) visitors/tourists up Table Mountain and other mountains of the Cape Peninsula.

• Liased with accommodation establishments, supplying them with marketing information.
• Accepted bookings from hotel staff and arranged transfers for clients.
• Liased with clients about their areas of interest and their objectives for the walk/climb; also advising on suitable equipment and apparel.
• Checked weather forecasts and planned appropriate routes.
• Led tourists on approved routes on mountains in the peninsula, providing light refreshments.
• Entertained and informed visitors with interesting facts, information and folklore.
• Ensured the safety of visitors at all times, during the walk or climb, providing appropriate guidance, instruction, equipment and personal attention/reassurance when required.
• Solicited feedback from clients, so as to improve service levels and ensure maximum customer satisfaction.

Website Competition Judge : Chamber of Commerce & Industry : Dec 2002

Served on a panel of adjudicators for a regional website award.

• Researched website judging criteria for the Chamber.
• Participated in selection and definition of judging criteria.
• Developed online score capturing and co-ordinated scoring of judges.

Trainer/Presenter : Chamber of Commerce & Industry : 1999 - 2002

Presented internet training seminars to staff, management and business members.

• Staff training: "Introduction to internet technology".
• Staff training: Intranet - Website and business development.
• Business seminar: "Your business and the Internet, is it time?"
• Export Development Programme: "Websites and website promotion"

Business Analyst/Project Manager : Chamber of Commerce & Industry : Sept 2001 - Apr 2002

Managed the migration of a legacy (D3) member database to MS SQL and delivered an intranet (CRM) application to manage the member database.

• Interviewed staff, documented D3 legacy system, scoped user needs and generated use cases, defining requirements to incorporate new processes and eliminate old.
• Project planning (Work Breakdown Structure, Gantt charts and timelines) with Ms Project.
• Resourced developers (ASP and Crystal Reports).
• Supervised developers and liased with network and database administrators.
• Supervised installation and configuration of Ms Windows 2000 Server, Ms SQL Server 2000, IIS 5.
• Co-ordinated export of data and migration to Ms SQL 2000 server.
• Led design and development of Ms SQL 2000 Server database, integrating the database to serve data to both internet and intranet applications.
• Supervised and led development of applications for an intranet, (using HTML, ASP, SQL and JavaScript), to administer and maintain the database.
• Produced monthly reports, reporting to top-management.
• Produced user and administrator manuals and presented intranet training to staff.
• Closed project and handed over to operational database administrators.

ICT Trainer : Office of the Attorny General : 1999

Produced and presented a brief (1 day) workshop on website maintenance to senior staff.

• Introduction to HTML.
• Updating/editing web pages.
• Using FTP to update website.

IT Manager : Aquarius Recruitment & Search : Sept 2000 - Apr 2002

Installed, configured and supported the network, NT server and 5 workstations with internet connectivity.

• Installed and configured NT4 server and network, with dialup Internet connectivity.
• Installed and configured Windows 98 (x5) workstations, with TCP/IP and Internet desktop applications.
• Registered and administered the company domain name.
• Resourced POP/SMTP spooling from 3rd party suppliers.
• Liaised with domain administrators regarding A, MX records.
• Installed and configured Mdaemon mail server with mailboxes for all staff.
• Installed and configured Ms Outlook with mail services, personal folders, etc.
• Setup shared "net folders" for sharing office contacts.
• Supplied, installed configured peripherals - CD Writer, Scanner, modems and network cards.

Business Development : Chamber of Commerce & Industry : 1998 - 2002

Advise top management on development of internet-based services to expand the service offering from the organisation.

• meet and consult with information department staff and make recommendations regarding the development of web-based information services and content management of website.
• consult and attend meetings as technical support to Chamber management.
• conceptualisation and development of web-based services as new revenue streams - also formulation of budget, strategy and technical specifications.
• ongoing development (and maintenance) of web site with a focus on development of business applications to facilitate building closer customer relationships.
• translate requirements into technical specification and quote on cost, development time and implementation.

ICT Trainer : Info-Age :

Produced and presented a number of (1 day) ICT related courses to individual students on one-to-one basis.

• Computer basics.
• Introduction to Windows.
• Introduction to HTML

Web Designer/Developer : Chamber of Commerce & Industry :

Created, implemented and managed the organisation website (www.capechamber.co.za), content managing weekly and monthly update cycles.

• Designed and developed the organisation website (www.capechamber.co.za) and a number of web applicatons using HTML, ASP, SQL:
• Customer database with applications to search, retrieve and display member details.
• Content management system to facilitate updating of website content, by staff.
• Survey application facilitating design, collection and collation of survey responses.
• Online discussion forum for members.
• Online information service to provide export opportunities to subscribers.

QuarkXpress Layout/Design : Mweb : 1999

Produced a Product Training Manual for marketing department of a large internet service provider.

• Accept brief and supply quote.
• Typesetting and production of Product Training Manual.
• Budgeting and outsourcing of printing requirements.

Business intelligence researcher/project co-ordinator : Mweb : Apr - May 1999

Researched, compiled and presented a number of business intelligence reports for a large Internet Service Provider (ISP).

• Project 2: (2 months)
• consult with client about product development with respect to satellite, ADSL other emerging broadband technologies.
• formulate brief (deliverables) and quote.
• outsource research work to other consultants/researchers.
• research competitor perceptions regarding viability of satellite broadband, ADSL, Wireless and other emerging technologies.
• gather and collate work from other researchers.
• compile, collate, analyse data with commentary and conclusions.
• present research and debriefing by client.

Web Designer/Developer : Office of the Attorney-General : 1998 - 2000

Contracted to design/develop website.

• design and develop website - www.ag-wcape.gov.za.

Internet Consultant : Marmoran : 1998 - 2000

Advised top management on website development and strategy.

• consult with top management regarding website strategies and development.
• sourcing, supervision and management of third-party Internet services.
• registration and administration of domain names.
• desktop support of Internet applications.
• reproduction of website on CD - as product manual - for distribution to clients and product users.
• outsource bulk reproduction of CD.

Web Designer/Developer : Marmoran : 1998 - 2000

Contracted to manage website and web infrastructure.

• redesign and development of website - www.marmoran.co.za.

QuarkXpress Consultant : Cape Chronicle : 1998

Contracted as a QuarkXpress consultant to train staff and oversee two editions.

• train production staff in use of QuarkXpress.
• train production staff in scanning and use of Adobe Photoshop.
• supervise and oversee production of two editions.

Business intelligence researcher : Mweb : Nov - Dec 1998

Researched, compiled and presented a number of business intelligence reports for a large Internet Service Provider (ISP).

• Project 1: (3 weeks)
• consult with business developers (management) about products/services and competitors.
• formulate brief (deliverables) and quote.
• research, collate and compile comparison tables of competing products and services (residential and corporate).
• research competitor attitudes and perceptions.
• compile & analyse data with commentary present research report and debriefing by client.

Internet Consultant : Office of the Attorney-General : 1998 - 2000

Contracted to supervise and oversee installation of internet infrastructure and integrate internet applications into departmental use.

• supervise installation and configuration of Cisco diginet router and leased line.
• install and configure TCP/IP and Internet desktop applications for 40+ workstations.
• train staff in usage of Internet applications.
• provide desktop support for Internet applications.
• outsource technical requirements (web hosting, pop spooling, pop mailboxes, etc) to third-party service providers and liase with these.
• registration and administration of domain names.

Internet Consultant : Chamber of Commerce & Industry : 1997 - 2002

Ongoing consultancy role to facilitate implementation and integration of internet technologies.

• consult with top management to maximise the advantages of Internet technologies and integrate these into existing business/work processes.
• outsource third-party Internet services and liaise with Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to secure required services - registration of domain names, Internet connectivity, web hosting services, POP3 or SMTP mail services.
• supervise installation and configuration of ISDN router for Internet connectivity.
• supervise installation and configuration of TCP/IP and client Internet applications, to 30+ workstations, configuration and support of Mailbridge POP/SMTP server on NT4/5 platform, with POP3 spooling; and setup of POP3 mail accounts for all users.
• provide desktop support for Internet applications.
• registration and administration of Chamber-owned domain names.
• supervise installations of, and authorise payments to third-party service providers.

Specialist Writer : Cape Times (Independent Newspapers) : 1997 - 1998

Wrote a number of technology articles - primarily about Internet technologies - for the Techno Times supplement of the Cape Times.

• research of Internet industry.
• write articles for consumers about Internet industry and service providers.

Internet Consultant : Institute of Administration & Commerce : 1997

Advised top management on integration of internet technologies and website development.

• consult with top management regarding website strategies.
• redesign of website - www.iacsa.co.za.
• sourcing, supervision and management of third-party Internet services.
• register and administer domain names.
• desktop support of Internet applications.
• design and development of database for exam results.
• outsource development of Perl script to search exam results database.
• liase with third-party Internet Service Providers.
• maintain and update exam results database.

Web Development Consultant : Mweb : 1998

Contracted to advise and manage development of Cape Connection website.

• consult with management regarding development of the Cape Connection (www.capeconnection.co.za) website.
• maintain and update website content, also sourcing new content.

Web Designer/Developer : Spiral : 1997 - 1999

Contracted to mange web infrastructure and ongoing (weekly) updating of website.

• provide desktop support for Internet applications.
• support Internet dialup accounts
• weekly maintenance, content management and ongoing development of web site - www.spiral.org.za.

QPS/QuarkXpress Consultant : Daily Despatch (Times Media Limited) : 1996

Consulted to the Editor, providing QPS configuration and QuarkXpress expertise to facilitate implementation of the QPS production system.

• Analysed the newspaper production system and processes.
• Optimised the QPS configuration.
• Trained staff in usage of the QPS system and QuarkXpress application.
• Designed templates and stylesheets for use by editorial staff and defined processes for the maintenance of these.

QuarkXpress Designer : Peninsula Times : Apr - Dec 1996

Contracted on ad hoc basis to assist with weekly production schedule of community newspaper.

• liase with Editor regarding news diary, production deadlines and schedules.
• design and layout of news pages on QuarkXpress.
• typesetting and sub-editing of copy.

Ventura/QuarkXpress Layout/Design : Chamber of Commerce & Industry : Feb 1996

Completed ad hoc assignments to produce the weekly Business Bulletin, on Ventura and QuarkXpress.

• Liaised with information department manager.
• Designed and typeset newsletter on Ventura/QuarkXpress.
• Scanned and touched-up photographs with Adope Photoshop.

Business Analyst/Project Manager : Info-Age : Jul 1997 - Apr 2002

As the market for web solutions matured, I focused increasingly on web development, educating business managers about the web as a marketing communications medium, analysing business requirements and delivering web solutions; also developing some business applications and content management solutions and providing technical web consultancy. Our clients included:

• Cape Chamber of Commerce & Industry
• Office of the Attorney General
• Institute of Administration and Commerce
• Marmoran (Pty) Ltd
• Aquarius Recruitment & Search

• Also established relationships with internet service providers (GIA and Mweb) to broker the ancillary services described above (domain registration, email and web hosting), to create additional revenue streams.

QPS/QuarkXpress Consultant : Info-Age : Jan 1996 - Jun 1997

Established a print and digital media consultancy in January 1996 , first working as a print consultant (QPS and QuarkXPress), while building a customer-base of clients in need of digital solutions.Our clients included:

• Times Media Limited
• Naspers (Pty) Ltd
• Chamber of Commerce & Industry
• Mweb (Pty) Ltd
• Cape Chronicle

Web Editor : Cape Times (Independent Newspapers) : Sep 1995 - Apr 1996

Assisted in consultancy role to integrate QPS and web content management systems and then took responsibility for daily updates and content management of the online news service.

• Consulted with web developers about the migration of QPS content to web content.
• Copied news stories to QuarkXpress Tags and processed output to HTML tags, ensuring integrity of HTML code.
• Maintained and updated news stories on the Independent website (www.iol.co.za).

Systems Analyst : Cape Times (Independent Newspapers) : Apr - Dec 1995

Worked with small team to integrate QPS/QuarkXpress and internet technology into the editorial department.

• QPS/QuarkXpress
• Completed QPS and QuarkXpress training and then worked to integrate the QPS production system and relaunch the newspaper.
• Administered QPS user statuses and roles.
• Troubleshooting typographical problems on QuarkXpress and QuarkCopydesk.
• Designed and implemented QuarkXpress libraries, templates and stylesheets.
• Internet applicatons
• Integrated internet technology into the work processes of editorial staff, setting up Unix accounts for email (pop/smtp).
• Installed and configured TCP/IP, internet client applications (Eudora, Netscape and others) for approx. 30 editorial staff.
• Trainied editorial staff in use of internet applications.
• Represented the Cape Times at a 2-day workshop on Electronic (internet) Research, organised and held at Rhodes University.

Sub-Editor : Cape Times (Independent Newspapers) : Jul 1994 - Dec 1995

Worked with an editorial team tasked with the daily production of the Cape Times.

• Attended daily news conferences, consulting with production editor, chief-sub and sub-editors with respect to planning, design and news content.
• Designed layout of news pages on ATEX and QuarkXpress.
• Typeset copy and input into ATEX and QPS system for sub-editing.
• Consulted and liased with sub-editors, scanners and reporters.
• Sub-edited news stories and wrote headlines.
• Proofread news pages and re-edited stories for second edition.

Sub-Editor : Evening Post (Times Media Limited) : Apr 1993 - Jun 1994

Worked with an editorial team tasked with the daily production, proof-reading, copy-writing, editing and layout of news pages.

• Sub-edit news stories for daily production (proof-reading, copy-writing, editing).
• Designed (early) news pages and sport pages, on Atex system.
• Lliase with chief-sub regarding typographical style and editorial policy.
• Wrote occasional movie reviews.

Journalist/Photographer : Freelance : Feb 1992 - Mar 1993

Completed various (mostly self-initiated) assignments in and around Cape Town, for Weekend Argus, South, Sunday Times and Cape Times, during 1992.

• Weekend Argus:
• Monitored daily and weekly news media.
• Initiated news items from own research and contacts.
• Attended weekly news conferences with Editor and other reporters.
• Contributed items to news diary.
• Attended and covered news events, in and around Cape Town and surrounds.
• Interviewed news-makers and others.
• Wrote news stories.
• Researched and wrote features and in-depth background pieces.

• Sunday Times:

• Wrote various occasional articles for Metro supplement.
• Special assignment to Namibia to investigate murder of a notorious diamond dealer.

• Cape Times:

• Wrote general news stories, completing assignments in and around Cape Town.
• Special assignment to cover the rescue of a group of school children from the Sneeuberg mountains.

• South:

• Wrote occasional articles and political commentary.

Managing Editor : Windhoek Observer : Sept 1990 - Aug 1991

Managed the newspaper, responsible for editorial and production departments, staff and processes.

• Resourced and managed editorial and production staff.
• Negotiated contracts/terms for supply of production equipment.
• Organised production processes and editorial/production staff.
• Facilitated weekly news conferences with editorial staff, consulting with News Editor and reporters regarding news diary and assignment of reporting staff.
• Formulated, instructed and promoted editorial policy.
• Controlled and monitored editorial content, proof-reading news stories pre-production.
• Formulated editorial policy on issues of national concern.
• Wrote editorials, reflecting policy stances on issues of national concern.
• Formulated typographical design and style.
• Supervised production processes to ensure compliance with deadlines.
• Liased with printers about printing schedules and delivery of print plates.
• Attended functions as representative of the Windhoek Observer.

Notes (Other activities):

• Crisis counsellor for Lifeline, serving counselling duties once a month.
• Appointed to Lifeline Executive Committee, responsible for PR portfolio.

Political Reporter : Windhoek Observer : May 1989 - Aug 1990

Wrote political news reports, analysis and commentary for weekly publication; covering the UN-supervised implementation of UN (Resolution 435), elections, Constituent Assembly and Parliament.

• Monitored daily and weekly news media.
• Initiated news items from own research and contacts.
• Attend and cover political events nationwide, interviewing news-makers, politicians and government ministers.
• Wrote political reports, analysis and commentary.
• Researched and wrote features, investigative reports or background pieces.
• Assignments throughout Namibia and in Angola and Kenya.

Notes (Other activities):

• Crisis counsellor for Lifeline, serving counselling duties once a month.

Executive Committee (Public Relations) : Lifeline Namibia : Apr 1990 - Nov 1991

Elected to serve on the Executive Committee, after serving a year with the organisation as a counsellor.

• Attended Executive Committee meetings, tasked with PR portfolio.
• Advised committee on public relations and media matters.
• Wrote press-releases in collaboration with the Director.
• Designed and produced "Friends of Lifeline" newsletter.
• Drew up guidelines and rules to improve productivity of Executive Committee.
• Participated in decision-making processes.
• Attended media and other functions as PR officer.

Crisis Counsellor : Lifeline Namibia : Jun 1988 - Nov 1991

Joined the organisation as a volunteer member and completed the Lifeline Personal Growth course. After completing a further Counselling course, worked as a crisis counsellor.

• Manned the call centre helpline.
• Counselled in-coming callers in need of emotional support.
• Logged calls with comments and observations.
• Briefed and handed over call centre to oncoming shift.

Television News Production Editor : South West African Broadcast Corporation : Oct 1988 - Apr 1989

Produced bi-weekly English news bulletins.

• Studied and prioritised daily news diary.
• re-prioritise news items through the day.
• Attended daily news conferences.
• Consulted with News Editor (input) and reporters.
• Checked video footage and supervised video-editing.
• Sub-edited and rewrote news items (reports).
• Consulted with producer to plan and supervise in-studio production.

Notes (Other activities):

• Crisis counsellor for Lifeline, serving counselling duties once a month.
• Passed one of 4 modules in Ancient Greek Philosophy, towards Honours degree

Television News Reporter : South West African Broadcast Corporation : Feb - Oct 1988

Completed a short course in Television Production and worked as a general and sport reporter, delivering news reports for daily broadcast; and produced two short documentaries.

• Monitor daily and weekly news media.
• Initiate news items from own research and contacts.
• Attend daily news conferences and contribute items to news diary.
• Attended and covered news events, interviewing news-makers and others; also supervising a cameraman.
• Wrote news stories, including intro for presenter.
• Wrote and presented on camera (stand-upper).
• Wrote and recorded voice-overs.
• Edited video footage for news items.
• Produced and presented bi-weekly sport news packages.
• Produced two short current affairs documentarie about: 1) the risk of nuclear contamination at Rossing uranium mine and 2) a speculative documentary about Namibian economic prospects.

Notes (Other activities):

• Joined the voluntary (charity) Lifeline organisation and completed the Personal Growth and Counselling courses.
• Registered for Honours degree in Philosophy at University of South Africa (UNISA).

INTERESTS

Conscientious, hard-working and active individual with an enquiring mind and diverse interests. Regularly read current affairs, philosophy and technology, play squash and climb mountains. Served both as a crisis-counselor and on the executive committee, for the (voluntary) Lifeline organisation; and more recently completed a course in philosophical counseling run by the Society of Practical Philosophy (SPP). Also a mountaineering enthusiast, with mountaineering (AMWL) and field-guiding (FGASA) qualifications, First Aid certificate and commercial experience as a mountain guide in Cape Town, South Africa.

Updated: March 2022  - Excellent references available on request, or on Linkedin.