Simon Bell

CTO at Outcomes First Group

Stockport, England, United Kingdom

About

I am an experienced IT Leader with over fifteen years’ experience of defining and managing solutions for complex change activity. I have led large departments of both internal (circa 400 staff) and outsourced (circa £30m contracts) teams across all areas of programme delivery. I also have extensive experience of leading teams defining and delivering the solution architecture for several large-scale programmes and projects, working closely with senior business and IT resources to define and manage all aspects of the solution; from initial vendor technology selection through to implementation governance. I can demonstrate a track record of setting organisational wide strategy, gaining approval for direction and major investments (£100m +) at board and regulator level. This has been supported by my ability to establish strong working relationships with senior organisational leadership teams.

Experience

  • Chief Technology Officer at Outcomes First Group
    Aug 2024 - Present · 2 yrs

  • Head of Strategy and Architecture at Matalan
    May 2017 - Aug 2024 · 7 yrs 4 mos

    Creating new Omni-Channel IT Strategy to lead Matalan in a digital transformation. Implementing a new technology roadmap right across the business including a number of new 'disruptive' technologies.

  • Head of Strategy, Security and Architecture at The University of Manchester
    Nov 2014 - Apr 2017 · 2 yrs 6 mos

    Creating IT Strategy, Security and Architecture function within the University including team recruitment, defining enterprise and solution architecture processes, introduction of architecture governance. Creation of University wide IT Strategy and major roadmap of change. Defining and sponsoring major change programmes.

  • The Co-operative Banking Group (4 yrs 1 mo)
    • CTO / Head of Strategy and Architecture
      Sep 2012 - Oct 2014 · 2 yrs 2 mos

      Leading bank wide Strategy and Architecture function. Creation of, and leading board and regulatory approval for, IT strategy. Accountable for all elements of architecture and design for all bank investment programmes.

    • Head of IT Development
      Oct 2010 - Sep 2012 · 2 yrs

      Leading IT Development Function of both internal development teams and outsourced supplier management. Accountable for all elements of IT delivery including the programme and project management, design, application build, technical governance and testing of business process, application and infrastructure elements of change programmes and projects. Delivering regular updates at Board level. Role expanded in early 2012 to include business change function.

  • Head of Solutions, Design and Testing at The Co-operative Financial Services
    Sep 2007 - Oct 2010 · 3 yrs 2 mos

    Created a new team of solution architects accountable for designing solutions for the Co-operative Banking Group change portfolio.