Daniel Robinson

Strategic Director of IT Infrastructure & Operations | Cloud Transformation | Shaping the Modern Digital Workplace in Life Sciences

United Kingdom

About

I help regulated, multinational enterprises deliver IT Infrastructure & Operations, Digital Workplace and Cloud Transformation programmes that modernise, integrate, and optimise foundational IT services. I am known for bringing structure and clarity to complex situations, particularly during transformation and change. My strengths are situational awareness, clear articulation of complex ideas, and the ability to balance strategic thinking with logical, practical execution. I am comfortable operating at board level while staying close enough to the detail to ensure things actually get delivered. I specialise in building high-performing teams and scalable platforms that elevate employee experience, reduce digital friction, and enable the modern workplace through cloud-first and AI-enabled strategies. My leadership spans end-to-end IT services, from core infrastructure, cloud platforms and IT operations through to end-user computing, service management and digital workplace experience. I embed cybersecurity, risk management and compliance (including NIS2, GxP, GDPR and SOX), alongside emerging AI governance practices, into IT strategy and operations to ensure resilience, audit readiness and secure transformation. I have led greenfield builds, large-scale managed service transitions, hybrid cloud programmes and complex M&A integrations, including the separation of Novartis’ influenza vaccines business and Johnson and Johnson’s advanced wound care division, alongside delivering multi-million-pound cost optimisation. Increasingly focused on strengthening operational resilience, zero-trust security models, AI governance, and NIS2 readiness across global IT environments. I value fairness, honesty and respect, and I actively seek diverse perspectives to make better decisions and build stronger teams. I understand that colleagues have more valuable things to do than navigate complex or poorly designed IT. My focus is simple: remove the friction, take out the stress, and just make IT work. #ITJustWorks Core Expertise: IT Infrastructure & Operations Digital Workplace & End-User Services Cloud Transformation (Azure, AWS, Microsoft 365) Cybersecurity, Compliance & Risk Management (NIS2, GxP, GDPR, SOX) IT Service Delivery & ITSM (ITIL) Programme & Portfolio Management Vendor Management & Outsourcing M&A IT Integration & Separation

Experience

  • IT Leadership Consultant at Hovione
    Nov 2025 - Present · 9 mos

    Transforming global IT Infrastructure & Operations through managed services, improved governance and strengthened cyber security posture to support NIS2 compliance across a regulated pharmaceutical manufacturing environment.

  • CSL (9 yrs 4 mos)
    • Senior Director, Infrastructure & Operations | Head of Digital Workplace Services
      May 2021 - May 2025 · 4 yrs 1 mo

      Executive leader of Digital Workplace, End-User Services and Productivity & Collaboration platforms for a 33K employee enterprise. Spearheaded transformation of digital workplace and end-user services, leveraging Microsoft 365, cloud platforms and GenAI. Cloud-first, AI-enabled, product-centric strategy to productivity & collaboration tools, devices and workspace management. Supported the adoption of GenAI (Microsoft 365 Copilot), establishing appropriate governance, controls and guardrails to ensure secure and responsible use. Greenfield ServiceNow implementation and establishment of enterprise-wide ITIL processes.

    • Senior Director, IT | Head of IT Services
      Feb 2016 - May 2021 · 5 yrs 4 mos

      Led global IT Infrastructure & Operations, IT Service Delivery, Cybersecurity and Vendor Management for a newly formed life sciences organisation (4K FTEs), establishing a scalable and compliant IT services model. Directed the end-to-end IT infrastructure integration and service transformation following the merger of Novartis’ influenza vaccines business with BioCSL, building all core platforms, services and governance frameworks for a new standalone enterprise. Defined and delivered a hybrid cloud transformation strategy (IaaS, PaaS, hyper-converged infrastructure), enabling scalable, on-demand infrastructure and significantly improving agility and cost efficiency. Established a global IT service management (ITSM) framework, embedding structured service delivery, vendor governance and operational processes aligned to regulated industry requirements (GxP). Led strategic vendor management and outsourcing, building high-performing partner ecosystems to support global infrastructure and operations. Strengthened cybersecurity and compliance posture, aligning infrastructure and services with GxP, GDPR and enterprise risk management standards.

  • Head of IT Technical Services (Infrastructure & Operations) at Systagenix
    Feb 2009 - Jul 2015 · 6 yrs 6 mos

    Led global IT Infrastructure & Operations, IT Service Delivery and End-User Services for a newly formed life sciences organisation (1K+ FTEs), establishing a scalable and compliant IT operating model following a major divestiture. Accelerated exit from Transition Service Agreements (TSA) following the carve-out from Johnson & Johnson, rapidly establishing independent IT infrastructure, services and governance. Pioneered early adoption of Microsoft Office 365, enabling a step-change in digital workplace capabilities, service levels and employee experience. Defined and executed an Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS) strategy, reducing operational infrastructure costs by 25%. Established foundational IT service management (ITSM) and service delivery capabilities, supporting a globally distributed workforce in a regulated environment. Embedded security, risk and compliance considerations into infrastructure and operations, aligning with life sciences regulatory expectations.

  • Stiefel Laboratories (6 yrs)
    • Global Communications Infrastructure Manager
      Feb 2007 - Feb 2009 · 2 yrs 1 mo

      Owned enterprise network, telecommunications, branch office solutions and global directory services.

    • IT Operations Manager (EMEA)
      Mar 2003 - Feb 2007 · 4 yrs

  • Madge Networks (7 yrs 2 mos)
    • IT Operations Manager
      Feb 2002 - Mar 2003 · 1 yr 2 mos

      Madge was a global supplier of enterprise network products and the market-leader in Token Ring networking.

    • IT Support Manager
      Sep 1999 - Feb 2002 · 2 yrs 6 mos

    • IT Support Analyst / Senior IT Support Analyst
      Feb 1996 - Sep 1999 · 3 yrs 8 mos