Origin

London, United Kingdom
10/1994 – 09/1997

Executive Director, Global Services
01/1997 – 09/1997

Origin (now Atos Origin) is the sixth largest systems integrator in the world and provides full service IT enabled business solutions to a wide range of industries, operating from 150+ offices in 31 countries globally, with a staff in excess of 14000. Origin’s service portfolio consists of Transformation Consulting, Enterprise Resource Planning, Business Applications Solutions, Continuity Services, Desktop Services, Electronic Commerce, Technical Automation and Operational Infrastructure Services

I reported to the CEO, with direct responsibility for all the service delivery (fee earning) capability (12000+ staff in 150+ offices) across the entire service portfolio. I also had regional responsibility for the Middle East and Africa. Direct reports of this role included HR, Legal, Finance, Facilities, Corporate Communications and Administrative Services in addition to the heads of the services described above

Highlights:

  • Delivered revenue of US$ 1.75 billion and operating profit of US$ 271 million in 1997
  • Played a key role in cementing the Origin-Phillips C&P merger as well as in Origin’s organisational transformation process from geographically based to industry and service line based
  • Established Origin in South Africa
  • At Kontron, the Medical Systems manufacturer, project direction of the implementation of the complete suite of SAP’s R/3 application software
  • Developed and implemented Rainbow, a Quality Management System, for delivery staff worldwide

Managing Director, UK
07/1996 – 12/1996

Following Origin’s merger with Philips C&P, I was appointed Managing Director of the merged UK operation, reporting directly to the Global CEO. Direct reports of this role included Finance, HR, Legal, Property, Corporate Communications and Administrative Services

Highlights:

  • Played a key role in the merger and reshaped the organisation completely, turning it from a geographically based operation to one organised along industry and service lines
  • Exceeded budget in delivering revenue of £105 million with 1000 staff
  • Responsibility for the integration of 350 staff into Origin as a result of winning the British Coal outsourcing contract and the related acquisition of Compower

Managing Director, Northern Europe
12/1994 – 06/1996

I reported directly to the CEO, with accountability for Origin’s Northern European Region (British Isles, Benelux, Germany and Scandinavia). I had full P&L and Balance Sheet accountability for the 10 Origin offices in the region. Direct reports of this role included Finance, HR, Legal, Property, Corporate Communications and Administrative Services

Highlights:

  • Grew revenue/profit from £50 million/£1 million in 1994 to £73 million/£5 million in 1995
  • Led the successful bid for the outsourcing of ICI’s corporate IT department. This resulted in the integration into Origin of 400+ staff and a data centre in a deal worth £75 million over a five-year period
  • At GKN Chep, project direction of the design, development and implementation of a complete bespoke order-to-cash enterprise system
  • At Jungheinrich, the world’s second largest forklift truck manufacturer, project direction of the implementation of the complete suite of SAP’s R/3 application software