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Chief Technology Officer

Award-winning technology lead with expertise in rapid prototyping of technical software

Contact Details

Strasbourg
France

 +33(0)6 45 68 23 49
 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
 benedictfrancis.com
 linkedin.com/in/benedictfrancis


Summary

With a proven track record of success, I have established myself as a leader in guiding IT strategy and leveraging established and emerging technologies to achieve maximum operational impact with minimum resource expenditure. My talent for launching programmes related to digital software development and mobile app solutions has enabled me to serve a range of clients, including SMEs and blue-chip global corporations. Whether leading start-up organizations or motivating full-stack teams, I am committed to building teams that are both creative and technically proficient.

As a seasoned professional, I am independently versed in creating sustainable solutions that drive operational excellence in competitive markets. I am a quick adapter to change, and I pride myself on my ability to pivot and innovate as needed to maintain a competitive advantage.

In all of my work, I strive for excellence and am passionate about delivering exceptional results that exceed expectations. With my experience, talent, and commitment to excellence, I am confident that I can make a valuable contribution to any organization.

Highlights of Expertise

  • Strategic & Tactical Technology Planning
  • Solution Implementation & Optimisation
  • IT, Mobile & Software Development
  • Design & Process Optimisation
  • Full Lifecycle Project Management
  • Solution Design & Programming
  • Service Delivery Management
  • Strategic High-Level IT Consultancy
  • Stakeholder Engagement
  • Relationship Building & Management
  • Team Management and Leadership

Executive Career History

CEO/CTO

Techniciti, Strasbourg, France: Jan 2014 - Present

Delivered executive-level leadership across internet, programming, consultancy and technical strategy development in addition to audio and graphic design. Independently built strong relationships with a diverse range of organisations and local companies to define the digital route to market for clients nationally and globally via applications, software, creative direction and technical strategy, with high client retention rates.

  • Recovered an underperforming healthcare mobile app project for TalisLife to fully rebrand the company, redevelop the app and roll-out to obtain funding.
  • Revamped a corporate website for CARBOGEN AMCIS, with CMS to improve corporate presence and delivered an employment portal for global recruitment.
  • Built a mobile application for Buzz, a social network for barbers and industry related professionals, focusing on professional networking / career development with a live CV, showing a users portfolio and their professional skills.

Chief Technology Officer

Dash Audio, London, UK: Apr 2016 - Jul 2016

Responsibilities included driving the build, management and validation of the Dash technical roadmap to aid and facilitate the acquisition of new clients/users. Ensured high security, best practice, full technical and quality reviews along with ensuring the company met its targets and captured all business opportunities through strategic development, forward planning and innovation. Held accountable for creating a rapid podcast system prototype to promote brands using ground-breaking audio technology and integrated analytics. Partnered with CEO to present to clients and sell podcast release services specifically to the Wall Street Journal and Spotify (NY, USA) and the UK News Corp publications.

  • Played an integral role in shaping and governing the technical roadmap and increasing revenue by securing new clients and users.
  • Guaranteed first-class services, high security and best practice in solution development, with ongoing technical and quality reviews.

Head of Technology

Remarkable Group, Winchester, UK: Sep 2014 - Apr 2016

Originally engaged to turn around the delivery of cumbersome and bloated, over-budget projects into rapid deployments and profitable deliverables, ensuring the digital offering rapidly recouped the costs of heavy losses in the preceding years and moved towards profit. Facilitated consultancy services, specialising in leadership and transformation of concepts into results-driven solutions. Focused on transforming a failing online holiday booking project for the client Shorefield as a consultant and rebuilding a fractured client relationship using open and honest communication.

  • Drove profitability through monetisation of group digital offering to a large customer portfolio, transforming over-budget projects into rapid deployments.
  • Expanded offering with additional services for existing and prospective clients including app development and virtual/augmented reality services.

Chief Technology Officer

Dints International, London, UK: Mar 2013 - Sep 2014

Spearheaded the successful delivery of innovative supply chain solutions to the international mining and construction industries. Formed strategic plans to transition to a more efficient cloud-based solution, orchestrating a team of software developers and company IT infrastructure.

  • Successfully conceptualised and built a mining purchasing system prototype with an audit trail for North Africa operations.
  • Enabled major funding acting as project lead to deliver a global customer portal and social platform for a mining and engineering client.
  • Secured a new start-up client with the remit to build a reporting app and implement new corporate ERP solution in MS Navision

Head of Software & Development

Monitise/Mobile Money Network, London, UK: Sep 2010 - Mar 2013

Joined a start-up organisation with backing from both Visa and Carphone Warehouse to establish a market-leading mCommerce service. Built a development team from scratch to collaboratively deliver 10 iPhone/Android apps whilst independently shaping functional strategies and BAU support for processes.

  • Saved the company a significant c£3m in licensing and development costs using rapid prototyping and proof-of-concept development.
  • Maximised mobile and desktop applications to create all public and corporate facing internet solutions for media partners.
  • Enabled online and high street sales with the successful design and deployment of an automated purchasing system.
  • Successfully prepared the business for full eCommerce roll-out whilst guaranteeing ongoing advancement in a hybrid marketplace.

Founder & CTO

Artizanz /TheMediaSet, Winchester, UK: Jul 2002 - Jun 2012

Actively consulted on design and technical services, leading sales from concept to build and delivery in a multi-partner retail market place. Completed multimedia assignments requiring expertise in technical design, lifecycle project management, installation and handover with end-user training.

  • Formulated an interactive web service for the healthcare division of Haymarket Publishing to enable sales to global pharmaceutical corporates.
  • Facilitated ability to meet the requirements of different global Haymarket brands using a new, easily tailored interactive detailing tool.
  • Drove the business to win the ‘New Business of the Year’ award at the Hampshire Business Awards.
  • Won the Sony Multi-Channel Content Software Award sponsored by INM and Adobe for a newly designed CD toolkit for dual-branded marketing.

Selection of Brands Consulted

  • The AA
    Software
  • Print
    Software
  • Web
  • Software
  • Print
    Software
  • Mobile
    App
  • Software
  • Multimedia
    Software
  • Web
    CMS
  • Software
  • Multimedia
  • Web
  • Multimedia
  • Print
    Software
  • Multimedia
  • Web
    CMS
  • Software
  • Software
  • Print
  • Web
    CMS
  • Print
    Software
    Web
  • Branding
    Software
    Web
    Mobile App
  • Software
  • Web
    Design

Professional Skills, Education, Training and Awards

Soft Skills

  • Global project management
  • Team management and leadership
  • Budgeting
  • Account management
  • Design
  • Consultancy
  • Business development
  • Business strategy
  • Stakeholder engagement
  • Sales processes
  • Strategic planning
  • Relationship building
  • Client liaison and management

Digital and Creative Proficiencies

  • PHP Programming
  • HTML Programming
  • HTML5 & CSS3
  • Mobile finance payments
  • Mobile design & delivery
  • React Native /React JS
  • JavaScript (inc frameworks/libraries: jQuery, Angular, Node etc)
  • Ajax
  • eCommerce Platform Development
  • Financial Technology (FinTech)
  • Business & IT Strategy
  • CMS Systems (Joomla, WordPress, Drupal)
  • MySQL Databases
  • Design (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign etc)
  • Audio Composition & Production
  • Audio Production
  • Print Design
  • XML, XSLT, XHTML
  • Facebook Applications / fCommerce
  • Email Templates & Marketing
  • Computer Hardware Installation and Repair
  • Copywriting
  • User Experience / Interface Design
  • Mobile Web Development
  • Mobile Marketing
  • Social Media Marketing
  • Search Engine Optimisation
  • Digital Strategy
  • Mobile Application Development (iOS, Android)
  • Security Implementation (IPSec/SSL etc)
  • SMS & MMS Marketing and Software
  • Linux and Apache Management
  • 3D Design
  • Video Production / Editing
  • Photography
  • Music Inscription

Languages

  • English - native
  • French - conversational
  • Rosetta Stone, U 1-20 French

Awards

  • New Business of the Year
    Hampshire Business Awards - Winner
  • INM & Adobe Awards
    Sony Marketing Multi-Channel Content software - Winner
  • New Business of the Year
    Hampshire Business Awards - nomination

Education

  • MSc (Hons) Computer Science - Cardiff University, Wales
  • BSc (Hons) Computer Science - Cardiff University, Wales
  • 3 A-Levels - Havant College, UK
  • 11 GCSEs - British School of Paris, France

© 2023 Benedict Francis
 +33 (0)6 45 68 23 49  |  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
 benedictfrancis.com |   linkedin.com/in/benedictfrancis