Harley Cunningham
Strategy and Transformation Leader - Technology Service and Operations @Virgin Media O2
Signup · Get unlimited contacts
WORK HISTORY
Strategy and Transformation Leader - Technology Service and Operations @Virgin Media O2
Reading, GB
I play a key role in shaping and delivering strategic transformation across Network Operations within Virgin Media O2’s CTO organisation. My focus is improving operational performance, strengthening network reliability, and ensuring operational strategy aligns with broader commercial and customer objectives.I operate at the intersection of strategy, technology, and operational delivery—setting direction, building strategic roadmaps, and translating organisational priorities into clear programmes of work that drive measurable outcomes.A core part of my role involves leading complex cross-functional initiatives across technology, commercial, operational, and finance teams. I bring clarity to complex environments by aligning priorities, clarifying ownership where accountability overlaps, and improving ways of working through clear governance, structured agendas, decision framing, and transparent decision logs.I also act as a trusted voice of programmes to senior leadership, presenting updates and decision frameworks through steering committees. This includes clearly outlining risks, mitigations, financial implications, and strategic value to support informed decision-making.Alongside this, I oversee multi-year, multi-million-pound investment programmes, ensuring strong financial governance, accurate forecasting, and alignment between investment decisions and operational outcomes. I maintain oversight of programme risks, compliance, and audit requirements while keeping delivery focused on improving network performance and customer experience.Through this work, I’ve become a key point of contact for Network Operations strategy and performance, working closely with stakeholders across technology, IT, finance, and customer teams to ensure initiatives deliver meaningful and sustainable impact.
EDUCATION
Vyners Sixth Form, Ickenham, Middlesex
a-level, Geography, Business Studies, Economics
Aston University
2:1, Business Management
SKILLS
ABOUT HARLEY CUNNINGHAM
I turn strategy into real-world impact.For the past 20 years I’ve worked across marketing, operations, sales, and technology with brands including IBM, Experian, and Virgin Media O2. My work sits where commercial ambition, customer experience, and operational reality meet.I’m most at home in complex environments—when organisations are trying to grow, modernise, or deliver large-scale change. I bring clarity to complex strategic challenges by aligning people, priorities, and technology, translating big ideas into practical programmes, partnerships, and outcomes that deliver real impact.At Virgin Media O2, that has meant delivering multi-million pound programmes such as Virgin Media\'s first combined Broadband and Mobile offering -\'Volt 1.0\', the \'O2 Family\' Proposition,\'O2 Priority\', and an IT Service Management migration from on-prem to cloud. More recently, I’ve been helping drive the CTO’s Autonomous Network strategy, exploring how AI, automation, and machine learning can improve operational performance and reduce customer lost hours.My work often involves navigating significant complexity—setting strategic direction and building clear delivery roadmaps while coordinating cross-functional teams across technology, commercial, operational, and financial areas. I focus on bringing clarity where priorities, ownership, or accountability overlap, improving ways of working through clear agendas and structured decision framing.This often means having difficult conversations—using both empathy and data to move programmes forward. I act as the trusted voice to senior leadership, presenting updates and approvals through steering committees with clear articulation of risks, mitigations, and value. And the basics - I ensure strong financial governance and forecasting accuracy plus risk oversight and compliance, while keeping any delivery aligned to it\'s strategic outcomes.Alongside that, I care deeply about the human side of leadership.I’m a qualified bereavement counsellor, and that experience has shaped how I lead: listening carefully, understanding human behaviour, and creating environments where people feel supported and able to do their best work.That passion led me to become a leading advocate for bereavement support at Virgin Media O2, work that was recognised with a Computing Women in Tech Award.I believe great organisations combine strong performance with strong humanity. The most successful teams are the ones where people feel trusted, where innovation is encouraged, and where leaders bring both clarity and compassion to the workplace.
This profile is compiled from publicly available professional sources. Unifers is not affiliated with or endorsed by LinkedIn. Request removal of this profile.