Agri-EPI Centre Ltd (2019 – 2022)
Agri-EPI Centre (AEC) delivers research, development, demonstration, and training in precision agriculture and engineering. It focuses on the livestock, arable, horticulture, and aquaculture sectors. The main responsibility of this role was to provide support and direction. It also requires leading communications for projects which drive AEC to transform to a more commercial footing. This role centres around driving quality and cultural change through increased understanding and engagement of technology – leading to a more agile organisation.
Business Transformation: Developed and ran the 2019 Strategy Day on behalf of the Executive Team, the outcomes providing building blocks for continued progress of transitional change. Ensured that the organisation was supported and resourced during these changes taking into consideration the management of risk and impact, whilst guaranteeing the KPIs reported to our funders were met.
Tasks include: Development, installation and dissemination of SOPs and Business Continuity Plans – creating new policies and procedures where gaps appeared, such as: IT, environmental, flexible-working and data protection. Asset evaluation and disposal; facilities management and ensuring adherence to health & safety guidelines.
- Key Achievements: Created a SharePoint intranet and specific sub-sites based on individual work streams such as Admin, Finance, HR, Procurement and Marketing. Led the office move into a purpose-built facility within the Edinburgh University campus, furnishing the premises to an exacting standard and offering an improved environment for staff and tenants.
IT Management: Leading the IT and Business Systems function of the organisation to create a platform for growth by acting strategically to exploit the synergies between technology and the systems in place. Commenced stakeholder engagement and mapped out an IT roadmap for the business, undertaking horizon scanning to ensure these systems remain relevant and future-proof. Developed and enhanced various elements of the organisation’s infrastructure to enable staff to work efficiently and effectively to achieve the businesses goals during lockdown and beyond.
- Projects included: Management and connectivity of assets and equipment based on 26 UK-wide satellite farms; captured requirements ahead of implementing a new CRM (Dynamics 365) for the organisation following a tender process. Investigating solutions for a new finance system – moving from Xero accounting software and working towards Cyber Essentials accreditation in line with requirements of our funded projects.
- Key Achievements: Appointed new suppliers in conjunction with Procurement and significant savings were achieved – as much as 60% per annum with one supplier.
Culture + People: Following a company restructure, now responsible for several areas of HR including on and off boarding, induction, management of our self-service PeopleHR system including preparation of annual Personal Development Plan sessions and staff training.
- Key Achievements: Implementing weekly ‘Half-Hour of Power’ so everyone could learn more about AEC – its teams, technology and the legal constraints AEC works within.
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Claireity 