Steve Atherton

Projects, Programme & Interim Delivery Leader
Brindle, UK.

About

Highly accomplished Projects, Programme, and Interim Delivery Leader with a 25+ year track record of spearheading complex technology solutions and operational improvements for UK & International clients across diverse sectors. Expertly navigates multi-vendor environments, leveraging Agile, Hybrid, and Traditional methodologies to deliver high-quality results and successful large-scale transformation programs, including significant Oracle Cloud initiatives and critical in-house project delivery enhancements.

Work

Zensa
|

Projects & Programme Lead & CxO Advisory

UK Wide, England, UK

Summary

Led strategic projects and programmes, providing CxO advisory and hands-on delivery leadership for complex technology and operational transformations across Zensa's diverse UK and international client portfolio.

Highlights

Orchestrated the successful turnaround and delivery of Whitbread's Oracle Cloud Transformation Programme, integrating Pricing Engine, Data Warehouse, and Customer Data Hub, ensuring all new system areas went live.

Strengthened Boots Hearingcare's in-house project delivery capabilities and controls by launching ServiceNow, a Projects & Portfolio Capacity Hub, and SAP/PowerBI retail analytics, enhancing operational efficiency.

Directed the delivery and operations of Card Saver's Core Systems, including launching a new South African offshore Sales Operation and migrating a legacy MS Dynamics 2011 to 365 Customer Service & Sales CRM.

Developed and launched Auracyber / SME Guard from concept to commercial GA product, achieving over 500+ SME client sales in year one and securing an Innovation Broker of the Year nomination for a key partner.

Managed the Society's interests in a new Channel 4 TV documentary and supported the design/piloting of project lifecycle controls for Alzheimer's Society.

PA Consulting
|

Delivery & Technical Assurance

UK Wide, England, UK

Summary

Provided critical delivery and technical assurance for a Microsoft Azure Analytics Cloud Platform and Innovation Hub, focusing on enhancing passenger experiences for major rail transport projects.

Highlights

Delivered expert delivery and technical assurance for a Microsoft Azure Analytics Cloud Platform and Innovation Hub, collaborating with Rail Passengers and Supply Chain partners.

Focused initial work on improving passenger experiences for both Overground and Underground services at the new London Bridge Station, enhancing operational effectiveness.

Hewlett Packard Enterprise
|

Client & Programme Principal

UK Wide, EMEA, UK

Summary

Served as a Client and Programme Principal (Director), responsible for senior client relations, programme development, and technology transformation across UK, EMEA, and India.

Highlights

Directed a portfolio of complex technology solutions, including full estate SAP upgrades, Oracle Helion Cloud optimization, MS Dynamics, and Cloud Migrations, for HP's clients.

Led the design of a new SIAM target operating model for Ahold Delhaize, re-energizing in-house teams and service providers ahead of vendor transitions.

Troubleshot and successfully reset a major (£100M) programme for the Ministry of Justice, developing a new MS Dynamics probation case management solution and a 100-seat call centre.

Delivered new business and performance improvements for major Global Retail and CPG clients, including winning and delivering an SAP upgrade for Cotton Traders and cyber security work for River Island & Samsonite.

Developed a SIAM multi-vendor service model, cyber security assessments, and an offshore managed test service, enhancing operational efficiency and security posture.

CSC
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Major Programmes & Projects Director

UK Wide, Nordics & Saudi Arabia, UK

Summary

Directed strategic programmes and complex projects as a Senior Transformation Director, leading the PM/PGM practice and managing teams of 6 to 125 staff across diverse international clients.

Highlights

Completed a mission-critical technical upgrade for Royal Mail Group's Business Integration Gateway, eliminating single points of failure and strengthening Disaster Recovery and Service Continuity, delivered on-time and under-budget.

Troubleshot and restructured the first phase of a new 10-year contract for the BBC TV licensing system, resetting delivery baselines and governance controls for successful completion.

Revitalized a major SAP programme for the Danish Tax Office (SKAT), implementing key interventions to restructure delivery teams and significantly reduce project over-runs.

Delivered mission-critical elements of an SAP APO global template for Diageo, successfully migrating key operations and positioning the team for global roll-out across LATAM, US, and Asia Pac regions.

Led programme and portfolio development for CSC's interests in supply chain, data management, and PLM capability for MRA4 and Typhoon military aircraft platforms, establishing a new offshore Data Centre for ISE in Saudi Arabia.

Capgemini
|

Programme Manager/Director

UK Wide, England, UK

Summary

Managed and directed diverse programmes and projects for clients across various sectors including Corus Steel, Matalan, United Utilities/Vertex, Department for Education, the HO, DWP, Moto, and TDG Logistics.

Highlights

Delivered complex IT and business transformation projects for major clients, ensuring successful outcomes and client satisfaction.

Managed significant projects involving supply chain optimization, data management, and business process re-engineering.

Collaborated with cross-functional teams and stakeholders to achieve project objectives within scope, budget, and timeline.

Sopra Steria
|

Senior Service Delivery & Projects Manager

UK Wide, England, UK

Summary

Oversaw senior service delivery and project management for Royal & Sun Alliance Insurance systems, driving efficiency and performance improvements.

Highlights

Managed critical service delivery operations, ensuring high availability and performance of insurance systems.

Led projects focused on technical software engineering and system enhancements for Axa Insurance and BAE Systems (Air Weapons Division).

Implemented process improvements that enhanced service quality and operational efficiency for key clients.

Education

University of Sheffield
Sheffield, England, UK

MA

Management of IT

Courses

Specialised in Programme, Projects & Change Management

University of Central Lancs
Preston, England, UK

BA

Business Studies

Courses

Specialised in Law, Finance, Management Science & Org. Change

Awards

CEO Delivery Excellence

Awarded By

Capgemini

Recognized for exceptional delivery performance and leadership.

Certified Global Engagement Lead

Awarded By

Capgemini

Awarded for expertise in managing global client engagements.

Delivery Excellence

Awarded By

CSC & BAE

Recognized for outstanding delivery performance in complex projects for CSC and BAE Systems.

Certificates

OGC MSP Trained

Issued By

OGC

QA Certified Practitioner Trained - ITIL Foundation

Issued By

QA

Prince2

Issued By

AXELOS Global Best Practice

DSDM

Issued By

DSDM Consortium

Exceptional Leadership Programme

Issued By

Rogen SI

Master Practitioner NLP

Skills

Project & Programme Management

Projects, Programme & Delivery Management, PMO, Portfolio & Capacity Controls, OGC, MSP, PRINCE2, DSDM, Agile, SCRUM, Kanban, Lean, Hybrid Methodologies, Traditional Methods, ITIL, Project Management, Programme Management, Portfolio Management.

Delivery & Transformation

Service Transitions, Rapid Interventions, Recoveries & Stabilisation Services, Transformation & Change Methods, Data & Cloud Migrations, Enterprise Lifecycles (Traditional, Bi Modal, Lean), Offshore & Remote Working, Multi-Vendor Operations (SIAM).

Client & Vendor Management

Vendor Management & Service Transitions, CxO Advisory & Remediation Assignments, Contracts & Commercial Management, Business Growth / Account Development, Client Engagement, Stakeholder Management.

Technical Platforms & Tools

Oracle Cloud, MS Azure, SAP, MS Dynamics, PowerBI, ServiceNow, XDroid AI Voice recognition, PaxA920, A50 Android terminals, BigCommerce, FastDox, AWS, Terraform, Docker, Nomad, MS Office Suite, MS Project, Trello, JIRA, MIRO, SLACK, Kanban Tools, Mind Manager.

Leadership & Development

In House Capability Development & Coaching, Exceptional Leadership, Master Practitioner NLP.

Interests

Fitness & Adventure

Gym, Squash, Cycling, Travel, Scuba (PADI & BSAC certified).

Community & Volunteering

Community Fund-Raising Work, Derian House Children Hospice (Chorley), MIND - UK 3 Peaks 24 Hour Team Challenge, Dementia - Great Glen & Coast 2 Coast Cycle Trek, Lancashire Volunteering Partnership - Digital Buddy.