tonywhitmore.co.uk  

ANTONY WHITMORE BSc (Hons) MInstP

Based near Southampton, Hampshire

PROFILE

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An IT Manager with strong technical and people management skills with well over 5 years experience in the education sector, delivering projects on time and within budget. Linux system administrator with cross-platform and networking skills. Excellent customer-facing skills and accustomed to working with senior management on strategy.

SKILLS

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• Line management, motivation, team building
• Natural leader
• Project management
• Strategic planning and negotiation
• Linux system administration and deployment, Ubuntu and Debian in particular
• Xen virtualisation
• TCP/IP networking and security
• Windows Server 2000, 2003
• Media and audio-visual technologies
• Confident public speaker

ACHIEVEMENTS

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• Used line management skills and team building techniques to combine two separate teams and improve support. This resulted in an improvement of satisfaction with IT facilities by over 30% within one year.
• Used Linux system administration and Xen virtualisation skills to provide rapid deployment of Linux, Apache, MySQL and PHP/Perl (LAMP) hosts, enabling new web projects to be started at lower costs.
• Planned and managed the deployment of electronic student enrolment systems, reducing manual data processing and providing accurate recruitment statistics, in turn enabling effective staffing and resource decisions.

EMPLOYMENT

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2006-present	IT & Registry Manager, Taunton’s College Responsible for the management, day-to-day operation, development and strategy of the College’s 700-seat, 1500-user network. Administration of Windows Server, Linux, Mac OS X Server and Novell Netware. Merged and restructured IT and AV support teams, Network Management System (Nagios / Opsview) and support request tracking software, improving response times and increasing user satisfaction by 30%. Developed Business Continuity Plans for IT which resulted in a successful external audit. Carried out significant changes to network infrastructure, including migration to DHCP and DDNS, Xen virtualisation, improved firewalling including creation of a DMZ and managed e-mail filtering service, resulting in improved network resilience and performance. Planned and delivered large scale replacement of desktop systems, initiated ongoing managed replacement scheme, resulting in 31% more staff having adequate computer access within one year. Member of College Operations Group, Risk Management Committee, Disability Equality Duty Group, Curriculum Management Team. Managed five year plans for IT Strategy and capital expenditure, including IT specification for site re-building project. Completed capital projects within budget. Introduced regular internal professional development sessions, making support more effective and reducing strategic risk. Migrated intranet to Content Management System (Joomla!) and blogging platform (Wordpress) allowing easy updating of site content.. Supervised increase of Apple Mac network from 10 to 100+ seats, providing music, design and photography facilities. Supervised raising of AV equipment in every classroom to a common standard, enabling teachers to incorporate IT into lesson plans. Delivered training to both IT staff and all college staff on IT software.
2002-2006	Technical Administrator for Information Technology, Regents Park Community College Delivered easy access to IT facilities for students and staff through expansion of the network from 150 to 500 seats, using site-wide wireless networking and laptops. Contributed to the bid for Specialist School status, resulting in successful appointment as Business and Enterprise College and implementation of IT projects, recruitment of staff and work at partner schools. Migrated from NT Domain structure to Active Directory, desktop systems from Windows 95 to Windows 2000, reducing workstation support costs. Co-ordinated support and maintenance of all IT facilities in the college, establishing request tracking software to enable effective deployment of technical staff. Converted many central network services to Linux and introduced Open Source software on the desktop resulting in increased service availability and substantial cost savings. Introduced Internet access control software, improving classroom behaviour. Increased the capacity of network infrastructure and improved the file storage providing more resilient and performant experience for users. Established network monitoring software and intranet facilities, improving communication with users. Chair of ICT Technical Panel for Southampton Secondary Schools. Presented at FLOSSIE Conference (Open Source Software in Education).
2001-2002	Theatre Technician, Edgehill College Drama Department Taught students WYSIWYG lighting design software and the principles of theatrical lighting, sound and stage management. Provided IT support for students and staff within the department. Designed, plotted and operated lighting and sound for student assessments and private hires. Co-ordinated rehearsals and technical resources across multiple studio venues. Trained in Risk Assessment and Fire Fighting Equipment. Member of Health and Safety Committee, with responsibility for Display Screen Assessments.
2001	Assistant Technician, Dukes Playhouse, Lancaster
1996-2001	Theatre Technician, Harlequin Theatre & Cinema
1997-1998	Sound and Lighting Technician, Pyramid Lighting & Sound.
1998	Lighting Technician, Polesden Lacey Open Air Theatre
1995-1996	IT Assistant, St. Bede’s School (Surrey County Council)

EDUCATION

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1998-2001	Lancaster University BSc (Hons) Physics: 2.1
1995-1997	St. Bede’s Sixth Form A-Levels: English Literature and Language B Drama and Theatre Studies B Physics C Mathematics and Mechanics D
1991-1995	St. Bede’s Secondary School 10 GCSEs: 4x A*, 5x A, C.

VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE

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2006-present	AV Team Leader, LUG Radio Live Responsible for planning and co-ordinating the AV team for this 2-day community-run FLOSS IT conference in the UK and USA.
2006-2008	Hostmaster, Hampshire Linux User Group Responsible for administering the LUG’s server (both dedicated co-located server and VM) and the services it hosts. Gave technical talks on various aspects of Linux and networking.
2004-2006	Chairman, Hampshire Linux User Group Responsible for running this very active group and representing it to the wider community. Organised regular meetings, including speakers. Gave technical talks on various aspects of Linux and networking.
2003-present	Governing Body, SchoolForge-UK Member of the governing body of SchoolForge-UK, which promotes the use of FLOSS in Education.
1999-2000	Chief Projectionist, Lancaster University Film Society
1998	Chief Steward, Deliverance ‘98 Convention
1995-1997	Chief Technician, St. Bede’s School Technical Crew
1994	Carlton Television, London & Pinewood Film Studios

OTHER QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS & INTERESTS

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• Member of Institute of Physics
• Linux Professional Institute Level 1 Certification
• Full Driving Licence
• Presenter & editor of Ubuntu UK Podcast
• Lancaster University Students Union Course Representative Training
  covering listening, presenting, negotiating, lobbying and time management.
• Chief Scout’s Award

REFERENCES

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Please contact me using the link at the top of the page for contact details for references.