Commercial Advocate

What does this mean? Well, in the same way that a building needs an architect, so does a business. It also needs to have someone to be able to define and deliver its compelling business case. Brian excels in both these needs.

He has set-up, run and been a successful senior executive in many companies. He established the Independent Technology Group in 1996; this transformed into a vehicle for others tap into his wide experience of business building; processes, models and technological expertise which make successful outcomes more likely.

He has worked in the IT sector since 1985. In 1986 he joined and managed a business turnaround for Coniston Computers to lead it to become the N.E. region's leading Compaq, Novell and AutoCAD systems centre. He was rewarded with equity and a seat on the board in recognition of his contribution.

In '92 he joined Dr Solomon's, where he managed the UK commercial operation to a complete dominance of the UK Anti-Virus market, achieving 600% growth in less than 3½ years, hitting almost £2.5m per month. Building and remodelling the sales team to run a mixed channel model, resolving channel conflict, introducing new licensing models and introducing a software agency sales scheme were key elements of his success.

Since the formation of ITG, he has been involved in a wide variety of business projects, including the formation and establishment of a UK distribution company for Hughes Network's Satellite Broadband service as well as an independent IT Security business.

In 1999, with the assistance of ITG Associate Sara May, he ran the UK operation of Irish IT Security reseller and re-publisher, Priority Data Group. Invited to implement his earlier recovery plan, he produced a remarkable resurrection of the company's fortunes. From a loss making crisis point, he led Priority Data UK to a trebled turnover, whilst still breaking even, within the initial 12 month contract, again leading to a seat on both the UK and Irish Group's boards.

During 2001 he was contracted to run the Northern Europe region for Intrusion Inc, following two rapid changes in the GM position and a spate of local and international lay-offs. With ITG Associate Martin Wyatt, he managed the stabilisation and recovery of their channel partner programme, and introduced a range of new products on a negligible budget.

He subsequently worked on a project to introduce two new product ranges from North American software companies in the fields of Information Lifecycle Management and e-mail security policy and management. In late 2004 he was also responsible for creating a sales development plan, setting up a new channel policy and hiring new sales staff for Cambridge Identity Management firm Signify Solutions.

His most recent work include an IT recovery and support project as well as creating business development plans and investment memoranda for such diverse businesses as Inductronics Technology (www.inductronics.co.uk), Invest 4 a Villa (www.invest4avilla.com) and Satellite Propulsion Research (www.emdrive.com).

He has recently been responsible for setting up a very local Network in and around the large south Cambridge village of Sawston. The Sawston Business Network enables businesses directors, owners and managers of all company sizes to come together for conversations and to make connections.

Brian is an experienced and assured speaker and presents regularly to maintain and improve his presentation skills. He has, for example, has been invited by companies such as Cap Gemini Ernst & Young and Deloitte Touche to present to them internally on PKI and IDS respectively. He is a Certified Toastmaster, NLP Practitioner and a member of Mensa and the Institute of Directors.

You can find Brian on the following sites: