Simon Yiakoumi
Head of IT Infrastructure Europe, Middle East and Africa @Russell Investments
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WORK HISTORY
Head of IT Infrastructure Europe, Middle East and Africa @Russell Investments
London, GB
Main Role Activities & Key Skills:• Managing Infrastructure, IT systems and overseeing the deployment of technology solutions across EMEA • Covid group & return to office management group member• Management of the Business As Usual delivery of business-critical services• Managing the IT outsourcing services for EMEA• Leader of IT and advisor for the region. Work with the business to define and lead projects, deliver services and identify requirements• Set strategic goals for system & tool development that reflect the current business strategy and objectives, working with the user community to gather and analyse requirements• Driving improvement and enhancement across EMEA• Lead and manage the design, implementation and smooth running of IT, audio visual and communications services and associated infrastructure• Lead IT Change across the region• Major incident manager and coordinator• Established partnerships with functional groups and IT teams to deliver against product, service goals and business requirements• Support service design, improvement and delivery working to ITIL framework• Building relationships including diplomacy up to board level• Senior stakeholder management• Coordinate the team to ensure that technology, IT service delivery, infrastructure and operational requirements are met• Management of Global outsourcing providers with matrix management• Team leadership and development• Vendor sourcing/vendor relations and contract negotiations to improve efficiency and lower costs• Global project management• Manage major software and hardware rollouts• EMEA IT Financial management and cost control initiatives• Strategic IT planning and roadmaps• EMEA management and execution of DR tests• Data Centre management• Contract and procurement management• Management of RFQ\'s and RFP\'s• Establish and ensure compliance with corporate Information Systems and Information Technology• Member of various European committees and groups
SKILLS
ABOUT SIMON YIAKOUMI
A strategic and results driven senior IT Service Delivery and Infrastructure leader with extensive experience guiding high performing technology teams within the financial sector. Adept at leading organisations through complex transformation, modernisation, and operational improvement initiatives.Skilled in managing teams, as well as global matrix environments involving internal teams and managed service providers. Recognised for building and motivating high performance teams, developing talent, and restructuring underperforming departments to restore stability and improve service outcomes.Demonstrated success in enhancing service delivery and infrastructure performance through strong stakeholder engagement, including business leaders and board level executives across global regions. Possesses strong business acumen, with proven ability to negotiate, influence, and collaborate effectively with business units and vendors to deliver services aligned to organisational goals.Brings a solid track record in project and programme management, delivering enterprise scale solutions, and implementing scalable domestic and global IT infrastructures and customer service capabilities.Service Delivery & Infrastructure Leadership• Global ITIL based service delivery and operations leadership• Infrastructure, support services, and service design• 24×7 IT operations and trading floor critical support• Data centre design, management, and optimisation• Architecture and engineering servicesStrategic Planning & Transformation• Strategic IT planning and execution• Change management and leading complex change programmes• Project and programme management (enterprise scale)• Office design, build, and technology deliveryPeople Leadership & Team Development• Leadership of global, matrixed, and offshore teams• Team mentoring, coaching, and building high performance cultures• Strong planning, organisational, and stakeholder management skillsVendor, Governance & Risk Management• Management of MSPs, SLAs, and KPIs• Procurement, contract negotiation, and global vendor management• Strong IT governance and risk management (MiFID II, FCA, CBI)• Financial management, budgeting, and cost optimisation• Drive IT security initiatives to safeguard client data and comply with GDPRStakeholder Engagement & Communication• Excellent written and verbal communication• Senior stakeholder and board level relationship management• Customer focused approach to service excellence• Strong leadership, negotiation, and influencing skills
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