Justin Evans

IT & Business Systems Director @Customade Group

Inherited an IT department with years of uncontrolled OPEX, control had been put in place by the interim leadership which was then built on to improve OPEX:•Led a comprehensive review of all OPEX areas—hardware, software, network, and equipment.•Assessed the IT department’s Target Operating Model (TOM) and aligned it with business needs.•Collaborated cross-functionally to understand end-user and customer requirements.•Initiated and managed a transformation portfolio of 20+ cost-saving projects.•Established a formal change governance model reporting to C-Suite and external investors.•Partnered with suppliers to re-architect key solutions, including an Office 365 redesign saving £(X)k annually:•Achieved £(X)k+ in OPEX savings (from a £Multi Million budget).•Introduced formal supplier contracts—up from 40% to 100% compliance.•Enhanced service delivery through SDWAN migration (replacing legacy MPLS).•Embedded a PMO and governance structure, elevating IT from cost centre to strategic partner. & – : Inherited an underperforming (MSP) responsible for IT support, failing to meet key SLAs—amid rapid division growth (30 new sites):•Led weekly performance reviews with the MSP, focusing on seven critical KPIs.•Initiated early termination of the MSP contract due to ongoing non-compliance.•Restructured the Target Operating Model (TOM) within the internal IT team to absorb the workload and ensure consistent service delivery:•Achieved £(X)k annual OPEX savings by eliminating outsourcing costs.•Unified IT service delivery across business units under a standardised TOM.•Introduced and tracked KPIs in partnering the MD—achieving “green” status for 6 consecutive months.