Nigel Bates

<h2>Overview</h2> <p>As a <b>Technical Programme Manager</b> with over 20 years of experience, I have led transformative IT programmes across industries, delivering innovative, hands-on technical solutions that enhance operational efficiency and stakeholder satisfaction. My career spans large-scale initiatives at <b>InvoCare</b>, <b>Greencross Vets</b>, <b>Rabobank</b>, and <b>IBA</b>, integrating complex systems, optimising processes, and adopting emerging technologies like AI, underpinned by life-long learning and a robust academic foundation. My matter-of-fact approach combines deep technical expertise with motivational team leadership, fostering collaboration and driving measurable outcomes.</p> <h2>Key Achievements</h2> <ul> <li>Led the <b>Genesis</b> programme at InvoCare, implementing <b>FireHawk</b> software integrated with <b>Oracle Fusion Cloud</b> ERP, SCM, HCM, Adobe Experience Manager and <b>Adyen</b> payments gateway across 290 locations, improving staff utilisation by 25% and integrating a <b>Large Language Model</b> (LLM) via the <b>Microsoft Copilot</b> trial to accelerate support ticket triaging.</li> <li>Directed the <b>Harmony</b> programme at Greencross Vets, upgrading <b>Navision</b> to <b>Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central</b>, centralising financial records and cutting month-end processing by 40%.</li> <li>Managed Rabobank’s core banking migration of 500,000+ deposit accounts to <b>Temenos T24</b>, reducing total cost of ownership by 20% and a high-availability platform.</li> <li>Implemented a SaaS platform combining <b>Finacle</b> and <b>IBM Tririga</b> at IBA, negotiating a fixed-price contract with <b>Infosys</b> for seamless delivery.</li> <li>Rescued the <b>Healthy Pets Plus</b> project at Greencross Vets, mitigating <b>PCI</b> compliance risks with <b>Maxio</b>, <b>Stripe</b>, and <b>GoCardless</b>, reducing customer service call times by 10% through streamlined billing and policy management.</li> <li>Developed <b>iOS</b> and <b>Android</b> apps in my spare time using <b>Java</b> and <b>Swift</b>, and built an AI RAG-indexed website with <b>Python</b>, <b>Django</b>, <b>PostgreSQL</b>, <b>Hugging Face</b>, <b>OpenAI</b>, and <b>Render</b> for under $10/month, showcasing hands-on AI and mobile expertise.</li> </ul> <h2>Technologies Used</h2> <ul> <li>Oracle Fusion Cloud (ERP, SCM, HCM)</li> <li>Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central (ERP)</li> <li>Temenos T24 (core banking)</li> <li>Finacle, IBM Tririga (SaaS platforms)</li> <li><b>Microsoft Azure Logic Apps</b> (middleware and integrations)</li> <li>Maxio, Stripe, GoCardless (payment gateways)</li> <li>FireHawk (CRM and case management)</li> <li><b>Adobe Experience Manager</b> (digital platform)</li> <li><b>Jira</b>, <b>Confluence</b>, <b>Miro</b> (project management and documentation)</li> <li>Python, Django, PostgreSQL, Hugging Face, OpenAI, Render (RAG website)</li> <li>Java, Swift, <b>Linux</b> (mobile app development and system expertise)</li> </ul> <h2>Challenges and Solutions</h2> <ul> <li><b>Challenge</b>: Integrating complex systems with legacy platforms across diverse regions and stakeholders.<br> <b>Solution</b>: Designed middleware frameworks (e.g., Microsoft Azure Logic Apps) and facilitated stakeholder working groups to align priorities, ensuring seamless integrations.</li> <li><b>Challenge</b>: Adopting emerging AI technologies to enhance operational efficiency.<br> <b>Solution</b>: Leveraged Microsoft Copilot trial to integrate an LLM for faster support ticket triaging and built a RAG-indexed website using Python and OpenAI.</li> <li><b>Challenge</b>: Managing large-scale data migrations with high accuracy and compliance.<br> <b>Solution</b>: Developed robust migration strategies (e.g., Rabobank’s 500,000+ accounts, Healthy Pets Plus’ customer data to Stripe/GoCardless) with strict governance.</li> </ul> <h2>Outcomes</h2> <ul> <li>Improved operational efficiency by 10–40% across programmes through process optimisation, system integrations, and AI-driven solutions.</li> <li>Enhanced stakeholder satisfaction by fostering collaboration and delivering measurable results, such as 25% better staff utilisation at InvoCare.</li> <li>Reduced costs, including 20% lower TCO at Rabobank and 40% faster month-end processing at Greencross Vets.</li> <li>Built a personal RAG-indexed website and iOS/Android apps, showcasing hands-on expertise in AI, Java, Swift, and Linux.</li> </ul> <h2>Education</h2> <ul> <li>Master of Business Administration (MBA), <b>London Guildhall University</b>, UK</li> <li>Post Graduate Diploma (PgDip) in Computing for Commerce and Industry, <b>Open University</b>, UK</li> <li>Bachelor of Science with honours (BSc) in Computation, <b>The University of Manchester (UMIST)</b>, UK</li> </ul> <h2>Certifications</h2> <ul> <li>Oracle Cloud Infrastructure 2025 Generative AI Professional</li> <li>Azure AI Fundamentals (Microsoft)</li> <li>Certified SAFe® 6.0 Agilist</li> <li>Advanced Facilitator: Conflict and Collaboration</li> <li>TOGAF 9</li> <li>PSM I (Professional Scrum Master)</li> <li>Oracle Fusion Cloud Applications ERP Process Essentials</li> <li>BCS Practitioner Certificate in Business Analysis Practice</li> <li>MSP Practitioner (Managing Successful Programmes)</li> <li>PRINCE2 Practitioner</li> </ul> <h2>Related Skills</h2> <p>This journey highlights my expertise in:</p> <ul> <li><a href="/skills/1">Programme Management</a></li> <li><a href="/skills/4">Stakeholder Management</a></li> <li><a href="/skills/10">Vendor Management</a></li> <li><a href="/skills/11">Planning</a></li> <li><a href="/skills/8">Budgeting</a></li> <li><a href="/skills/12">Data Migration</a></li> <li><a href="/skills/11">System Integration</a></li> <li><a href="/skills/3">Scrum Methodology</a></li> </ul> <h2>Contact Me</h2> <p>Connect with me on <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/nigel-bates-3409a23/">LinkedIn</a> to discuss my contributions or explore collaboration opportunities!</p>

Overview

As a Technical Programme Manager with over 20 years of experience, I have led transformative IT programmes across industries, delivering innovative, hands-on technical solutions that enhance operational efficiency and stakeholder satisfaction. My career spans large-scale initiatives at InvoCare, Greencross Vets, Rabobank, and IBA, integrating complex systems, optimising processes, and adopting emerging technologies like AI, underpinned by life-long learning and a robust academic foundation. My matter-of-fact approach combines deep technical expertise with motivational team leadership, fostering collaboration and driving measurable outcomes.

Key Achievements

  • Led the Genesis programme at InvoCare, implementing FireHawk software integrated with Oracle Fusion Cloud ERP, SCM, HCM, Adobe Experience Manager and Adyen payments gateway across 290 locations, improving staff utilisation by 25% and integrating a Large Language Model (LLM) via the Microsoft Copilot trial to accelerate support ticket triaging.
  • Directed the Harmony programme at Greencross Vets, upgrading Navision to Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central, centralising financial records and cutting month-end processing by 40%.
  • Managed Rabobank’s core banking migration of 500,000+ deposit accounts to Temenos T24, reducing total cost of ownership by 20% and a high-availability platform.
  • Implemented a SaaS platform combining Finacle and IBM Tririga at IBA, negotiating a fixed-price contract with Infosys for seamless delivery.
  • Rescued the Healthy Pets Plus project at Greencross Vets, mitigating PCI compliance risks with Maxio, Stripe, and GoCardless, reducing customer service call times by 10% through streamlined billing and policy management.
  • Developed iOS and Android apps in my spare time using Java and Swift, and built an AI RAG-indexed website with Python, Django, PostgreSQL, Hugging Face, OpenAI, and Render for under $10/month, showcasing hands-on AI and mobile expertise.

Technologies Used

  • Oracle Fusion Cloud (ERP, SCM, HCM)
  • Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central (ERP)
  • Temenos T24 (core banking)
  • Finacle, IBM Tririga (SaaS platforms)
  • Microsoft Azure Logic Apps (middleware and integrations)
  • Maxio, Stripe, GoCardless (payment gateways)
  • FireHawk (CRM and case management)
  • Adobe Experience Manager (digital platform)
  • Jira, Confluence, Miro (project management and documentation)
  • Python, Django, PostgreSQL, Hugging Face, OpenAI, Render (RAG website)
  • Java, Swift, Linux (mobile app development and system expertise)

Challenges and Solutions

  • Challenge: Integrating complex systems with legacy platforms across diverse regions and stakeholders.
    Solution: Designed middleware frameworks (e.g., Microsoft Azure Logic Apps) and facilitated stakeholder working groups to align priorities, ensuring seamless integrations.
  • Challenge: Adopting emerging AI technologies to enhance operational efficiency.
    Solution: Leveraged Microsoft Copilot trial to integrate an LLM for faster support ticket triaging and built a RAG-indexed website using Python and OpenAI.
  • Challenge: Managing large-scale data migrations with high accuracy and compliance.
    Solution: Developed robust migration strategies (e.g., Rabobank’s 500,000+ accounts, Healthy Pets Plus’ customer data to Stripe/GoCardless) with strict governance.

Outcomes

  • Improved operational efficiency by 10–40% across programmes through process optimisation, system integrations, and AI-driven solutions.
  • Enhanced stakeholder satisfaction by fostering collaboration and delivering measurable results, such as 25% better staff utilisation at InvoCare.
  • Reduced costs, including 20% lower TCO at Rabobank and 40% faster month-end processing at Greencross Vets.
  • Built a personal RAG-indexed website and iOS/Android apps, showcasing hands-on expertise in AI, Java, Swift, and Linux.

Education

  • Master of Business Administration (MBA), London Guildhall University, UK
  • Post Graduate Diploma (PgDip) in Computing for Commerce and Industry, Open University, UK
  • Bachelor of Science with honours (BSc) in Computation, The University of Manchester (UMIST), UK

Certifications

  • Oracle Cloud Infrastructure 2025 Generative AI Professional
  • Azure AI Fundamentals (Microsoft)
  • Certified SAFe® 6.0 Agilist
  • Advanced Facilitator: Conflict and Collaboration
  • TOGAF 9
  • PSM I (Professional Scrum Master)
  • Oracle Fusion Cloud Applications ERP Process Essentials
  • BCS Practitioner Certificate in Business Analysis Practice
  • MSP Practitioner (Managing Successful Programmes)
  • PRINCE2 Practitioner

Related Skills

This journey highlights my expertise in:

Contact Me

Connect with me on LinkedIn to discuss my contributions or explore collaboration opportunities!

Systems Software

Various