Craig Michael Prunty

Head of IT

IT Director

Passionate about IT

Approachable Manager

Organised Manager

Craig Michael Prunty

Head of IT

IT Director

Passionate about IT

Approachable Manager

Organised Manager

About Me

Hello! I’m Craig Prunty, Head of IT | IT Director from Greater Manchester.

 

An experienced Technology professional with over 28 years in the industry, including 6 years specialising in PE-backed organisations undergoing rapid growth. Strong senior leadership capability, combined with excellent stakeholder engagement and communication skills. Proven track record of delivering measurable business outcomes through effective partnership building, relationship management, and cross-functional collaboration.

Experienced in working with stakeholders at all levels, from operational teams through to executive boards, to deliver and support strategic technology initiatives aligned with business objectives. Passionate about leveraging technology as a business enabler to drive transformation, improve efficiency, and deliver sustainable long-term value.

 

Core Skills:-

  • IT strategy development and execution
  • Project management across full lifecycle delivery
  • IT security and vulnerability assessment
  • RFP, Tenders, Contract negotiation
  • Driving IT alignment and influence across business functions
  • Budgeting, financial planning, and cost control
  • Supply chain and vendor management
  • Systematic planning, scheduling, and organisational excellence
  • Designing and implementing operational procedures and IT governance
  • Strong analytical thinking and structured problem-solving
  • Effective team leadership and people management
  • Excellent communication, stakeholder engagement, and negotiation skills
  • Highly self-motivated, proactive, and detail-oriented

 

  • Location: UK, Greater Manchester
My Skills
IT Management

Experience: 3 years within Manufacturing and Distribution Industry | 4 Years within the Construction and Property Development Industry | 11 Years within the Fire & Security Industry

IT Procurement

Experience: 2 Years within the Education Industry | 2 years within Manufacturing and Distribution Industry | 4 Years within the Construction and Property Development Industry | 16 Years within the Fire & Security Industry

Google PPC (Pay Per Click)

Experience: 2 Years within the Fire & Security Industry | 18 Years+ of personal web projects

IT System Implementation

Experience: 2 Years within the Education Industry | 2 years within Manufacturing and Distribution Industry | 4 Years within the Construction and Property Development Industry | 16 Years within the Fire & Security Industry

Cloud Strategy Support | Web Hosting | AWS | Azure | Office 365 | VPS | Dedicated Hosting

Experience: 2 Years within the Education Industry | 2 years within Manufacturing and Distribution Industry | 4 Years within the Construction and Property Development Industry | 16 Years within the Fire & Security Industry

IT Project Management

Experience: 2 Years within the Education Industry | 2 years within Manufacturing and Distribution Industry | 4 Years within the Construction and Property Development Industry | 16 Years within the Fire & Security Industry

IT Security

Experience: 2 Years within the Education Industry | 2 years within Manufacturing and Distribution Industry | 4 Years within the Construction and Property Development Industry | 16 Years within the Fire & Security Industry

IT Strategy Design

Experience:2 Years within the Education Industry | 2 years within Manufacturing and Distribution Industry | 4 Years within the Construction and Property Development Industry | 11 Years within the Fire & Security Industry

CRM | ERP | Accounts System Support

Experience: 2 Years within the Education Industry | 2 years within Manufacturing and Distribution Industry | 4 Years within the Construction and Property Development Industry | 16 Years within the Fire & Security Industry | Sage, CASH (Cash4Windows by Mentor), COINS Construction, Conquest, Deltek PIM, Microsoft D365 F&O, Syspro

Digitisation Strategy | Mobile Paperless Solutions

Experience: 2 Years within the Education Industry | 2 years within Manufacturing and Distribution Industry | 4 Years within the Construction and Property Development Industry | 16 Years within the Fire & Security Industry

Fun Facts
2 Children
Love giving a 5 star IT Service
More than 5,000 Cups of Coffee drunk
5 Countries Visited
Thank you

I would like to thank you for taking the time to review my CV. If you find my experience of interest, I would be delighted to meet over a coffee to discuss how I could support the improvement of your IT services.

Yours sincerely,
Craig Prunty
28+ years of experience in the IT industry

Follow me on LinkedIn

Check out my Testimonials

  • Group Head of IT – DR&P Group (Current)
  • IT Systems Manager – BKW Instruments (2 ½ Years)
  • IT Manager – FEC International (12 Months)
  • Owner – Construct IoTIMaaS (10 Months Freelancing)
  • IT Manager – Bardsley Construction (3 Years)
  • IT Director – Securus Group (4 Years)
  • IT Manager – Swift Fire & Security (7 Years)
  • Network Support Administrator – Nord Anglia Education (2 Years)
  • Network Support Administrator – Swift Fire & Security (5 Years)
Craig Prunty Resume
Employment History:
February 2024 – Present
Group Head of IT / Group IT Director
DR&P Group | Private Equity Backed | 630 Million GWP | 600 UK Employees | 34 UK Sites

System Development and Achievements

 

  • Led the design and implementation of a modern workplace IT environment, leveraging Microsoft 365 and strategic SaaS application partners to deliver a scalable, cloud-first technology aligned with a rapid growth strategy.
  • Delivered the IT integration roadmap in 2024/2025 for 12 acquired companies, aligning with the organisation’s long-term growth strategy and enabling centralised business functions to support further acquisition activity.
  • Played a key role in the 2024 investment and sale process of DR&P, working closely with Inflection and Hines Associates during due diligence with multiple investor interviews, contributing to a successful £425M business sale.
  • Successfully delivered branch consolidations and office relocations, ensuring seamless transitions with minimal disruption to business operations.
  • Led continuous supply chain consolidation and procurement management initiatives, maximising cost efficiencies and delivering group-wide savings.
  • Continue to play a pivotal role in the due diligence and integration of over 27 acquisitions, contributing to the successful onboarding of an additional 13 companies in 2025/2026 and supporting sustained organisational growth.

 

Key Responsibilities

 

  • Define and lead the Group IT strategy, aligning technology initiatives with overall business objectives and growth plans across 34 office locations.
  • Serve as a key member of the Senior Leadership Team, contributing to strategic decision-making and organisational direction.
  • Oversee all IT operations supporting 600+ users, ensuring high availability, performance, and scalability of systems and services.
  • Own and optimise the Microsoft 365 environment, driving adoption of Modern Workplace capabilities, security best practices, and collaboration tools.
  • Lead the integration of acquired businesses, delivering structured IT onboarding, systems consolidation, and data migration aligned with acquisition timelines.
  • Establish and maintain robust IT governance, policies, and compliance frameworks, including cybersecurity, data protection, and risk management.
  • Drive digital transformation initiatives, leveraging cloud technologies and SaaS platforms to improve efficiency, reduce cost, and enable business innovation.
  • Manage IT budgets, financial planning, and cost control, ensuring value-driven investment and alignment with business priorities.
  • Manage key vendor and partner relationships, including contract negotiation, SLA/KPI performance management, and service delivery oversight.
  • Oversee business continuity and disaster recovery planning, ensuring resilience and minimal disruption to operations.
  • Act as the senior escalation point for critical IT issues, ensuring timely resolution and clear communication to stakeholders.
  • Promote user adoption and continuous improvement across systems and processes, enhancing productivity and user experience.
  • Reporting directly to the Chief Operating Officer
October 2021 – January 2024
IT Systems Manager
BKW Instruments Limited | 10 Million Turnover | 100 UK Employees | 1 UK Site Industry – Manufacturing & Distribution

System Development and Achievements

 

  • Led the design and implementation of a modern IT platform aligned with a five-year business growth strategy. Overcame significant challenges posed by a decade-old bespoke environment, delivering the full transformation successfully by April 2022.
  • Directed the migration from on-premises Hyper-V infrastructure to Microsoft Azure Cloud, including the seamless transition of multiple application servers and SQL environments.
  • Implemented Azure Virtual Desktop (VDI) to deliver published applications for a new ERP system, significantly enhancing remote working capabilities and strengthening security.
  • Managed the end-to-end migration and upgrade of the organisation’s Syspro ERP and bespoke DriveWorks automation systems to Azure cloud infrastructure.
  • Delivered the migration of a legacy, custom-built Microsoft Access intranet to SharePoint Online, improving accessibility, collaboration, and maintainability.
  • Strengthened IT security posture and successfully achieved Cyber Essentials Plus certification.

 

Key Responsibilities

 

  • Led the IT transformation strategy to support business growth, scaling operations from a £10M to £20M+ turnover organisation.
  • Collaborated with the senior management team to shape strategic initiatives that enhance user productivity and foster a culture of innovation across the business.
  • Managed the IT helpdesk function, overseeing the resolution of all IT incidents and coordinating escalations with external support partners when required.
  • Ensured comprehensive documentation was developed and maintained, including user guides, system manuals, change management records, licensing agreements, and upgrade documentation.
  • Negotiated with hardware and software vendors to secure optimal commercial terms, including managing third-party support contracts and consultancy agreements.
  • Developed and managed project budgets, while overseeing the overall financial planning and expenditure for the IT department.
  • Reported directly to the Managing Director and Administrative Director, providing strategic and operational IT leadership.
October 2020 - October 2021
IT Manager
Far East Consortium International Limited | USD 1.30 billion Turnover | 200+ UK Employees / 2000+ International | 2 UK Sites

System Development and Achievements

 

  • Successfully managed the Dynamics 365 Finance & Operations partner support agreement throughout a £1M implementation programme, ensuring service quality and delivery alignment.
  • Led the migration of business documentation to SharePoint, enhancing accessibility and governance, and implemented collaborative document management for construction development sites using Microsoft Teams.
  • Renegotiated the mobile communications contract, achieving a 60% cost reduction and delivering £27K in annual recurring savings.
  • Project managed the full tender process for a new Managed Service Provider (MSP) contract for FEC, improving service capability while significantly reducing operational costs.

 

Key Responsibilities

 

  • Responsible for all UK IT operations across two office locations and active construction development sites.
  • Led the IT transformation strategy, driving the modernisation of existing on-premises infrastructure and aligning it with business objectives.
  • Managed relationships with key external partners delivering and supporting FEC’s digital services, including:
    • IT service providers responsible for end-user and infrastructure support
    • Dynamics 365 Finance & Operations support partner, ensuring KPI and SLA adherence
    • Procurement and vendor management for internal and development site IT projects
  • Represented IT in monthly service review meetings, monitoring supplier performance and ensuring contractual KPIs and SLAs are consistently met.
  • Acted as the central escalation point for IT issues, coordinating resolution between internal users and external partners.
  • Maintained strong technical expertise across core technologies including Microsoft Azure, Microsoft 365, Exchange Online, and Windows Server.
  • Provided cross-functional IT support across the organisation, leveraging in-depth knowledge of key systems and platforms.
  • Owned and managed IT budgets, ensuring effective financial control and value-driven procurement.
  • Reported directly to the Global IT Director, contributing to strategic IT decision-making at senior level.
March 2020 – July 2020
Head of IT
Robinsons Brewery

I was due to begin my role as Head of IT at Robinsons Brewery in March 2020. However, my start date was postponed due to the onset of COVID-19.

 

During this period, I maintained regular contact with the business while continuing my freelance work. In July 2020, I was informed that, as a result of the pandemic’s impact, the company had implemented redundancies and placed key projects on hold. Consequently, the position was withdrawn and is no longer available.

December 2019 - October 2020
Owner | ITMaaS - (IT Management as a Service) Consultant
Construct IoT

Following my previous employer entering administration on 19th December 2019, resulting in company-wide redundancies, I chose to pursue freelance work rather than rush into a permanent role. This approach allowed me to maintain professional momentum while carefully evaluating long-term opportunities during the uncertainty of the pandemic, when many businesses had paused recruitment.

 

Over the years, I have built an excellent reputation with business owners and senior executives, as well as contacts through networking. The freelancing extended longer than I anticipated due to the COVID-19 pandemic but also allowed me the flexibility to care and home school for our children.

 

Clients:

 

  • Control Group (Macclesfield) – IT Management Consultancy
  • 1st Active Security (Glasgow) – ERP System Consultancy
  • R A Smart (Macclesfield) – B2C / e-Commence / Web / Online Marketing Consultancy
  • Croxley Alarms (Croxley) – ERP & IT System Consultancy
  • Barnaby Silks (Macclesfield) – B2C / e-Commence / Web / Online Marketing Consultancy
  • Robert Keyte Silks (Bodiam) – Web / Online Catalog

Services:

November 2016 – December 2019
IT Manager
Bardsley Construction Ltd | 90 Million Turnover | 280 Employees | 3 Sites & 12 Construction Site Offices Position - IT Manager

System Development and Achievements

 

  • Conducted a comprehensive review of the IT environment, successfully streamlining infrastructure, documentation, processes, and procedures, reducing operational costs and departmental administrative overhead.
  • Implemented a dedicated IT Helpdesk system to centralise and efficiently manage all support requests, improving service delivery and response times.
  • Renegotiated the company’s mobile service contract, reducing costs by 50% and achieving recurring annual savings of £14K.
  • Replaced the organisation’s existing MFD printing infrastructure with high-end devices and implemented managed print software (PaperCut), reducing print costs by 40% and delivering recurring annual savings of £24K. This also improved the efficiency of distributing high-quality construction drawings directly to site teams.
  • Designed and implemented a paperless QA system across 15 active construction sites, collaborating closely with the SHEQ department to ensure the solution aligned with operational and compliance requirements.
  • Developed and implemented the organisation’s cloud transformation roadmap, including migration to Azure and Microsoft 365 services such as Exchange Online and Microsoft Teams.
  • Successfully led the organisation to achieve Cyber Essentials Plus certification, enabling eligibility for key framework applications from 2019 onward.
  • Delivered a company-wide Windows OS migration project, upgrading over 170 remaining Windows 7 devices to Windows 10 ahead of the end-of-life deadline.

 

Key Responsibilities

 

  • Led the IT transformation strategy to support business growth from £40M to £100M+ turnover, ensuring technology capability aligned with long-term commercial objectives.
  • Owned and delivered the organisation’s digitalisation strategy, driving paperless processes, Microsoft 365 cloud adoption, and unified communications across email, Skype/Microsoft Teams, and VoIP platforms.
  • Oversaw the development, enhancement, and integration of core business systems, ensuring seamless interoperability between legacy and new platforms.
  • Partnered with business stakeholders to define and implement strategies that improved client service delivery, increased user efficiency, and promoted innovation across the organisation.
  • Worked closely with executive and senior leadership teams to embed IT as a core business function and strategic enabler.
  • Managed IT personnel, with full responsibility for recruitment, performance management, training, development, and disciplinary processes.
  • Directed IT delivery across 12–15 temporary construction sites, coordinating end-to-end deployment and decommissioning of critical infrastructure including connectivity (ADSL/fibre), temporary internet, print/MFD solutions, biometric systems, Wi-Fi, structured cabling, and paperless tablet solutions.
  • Developed and enforced standard operating procedures and best-practice frameworks, ensuring clear technical documentation, policies, and user guidance were consistently maintained.
  • Maintained comprehensive IT documentation, including system manuals, user guides, licence agreements, and records of system changes and upgrades.
  • Stayed current with emerging technologies, evaluating and implementing innovative solutions to meet evolving business and operational requirements.
  • Led supplier negotiations for hardware, software, and external services, securing cost-effective agreements and managing consultancy and service contracts.
  • Developed business cases and presented strategic IT investments to the board for approval.
  • Designed and implemented the organisation’s disaster recovery (DR) and business continuity strategy.
  • Owned IT budgeting processes and delivered quarterly reporting to the board on performance, spend, and strategic progress.
  • Acted as Data Protection Officer (DPO), ensuring full GDPR compliance across systems, processes, and data governance practices.
  • Reported directly to the Finance Director, providing strategic IT leadership at executive level.
January 2016 – November 2016
Group IT Director
Securus Group Limited | Private Equity Backed | 35 Million Turnover | 400 Employees | 11 Sites

System Development and Achievements

 

 

  • Project managed and delivered a centralised IT infrastructure to host all core business systems, utilising Windows Server 2012 RDS within a VMware ESXi environment. The solution was designed to support business expansion through acquisitions and included the successful migration of 10 UK-based IT systems over a three-year period.
  • Implemented a paperless service and maintenance solution across seven core business units using SOTI, Android devices, and a third-party CRM platform, significantly improving operational efficiency and field service capability.
  • Led the migration of acquired business systems, including the transition of applications, documents, and email services, ensuring seamless integration into the central IT environment with minimal disruption to business operations.

 

Key Responsibilities

 

  • Led the global IT transformation strategy to support rapid business growth driven by a PE-backed acquisition programme of 10 national companies, scaling turnover from £5M to £35M.
  • Partnered with the Commercial Director during due diligence for acquisitions, conducting detailed assessments of IT systems, process maturity, and data integrity to support informed investment decisions.
  • Directed the seamless integration of acquired companies into the core IT infrastructure, including collaboration with third-party ERP and CRM providers to successfully migrate multi-million-pound recurring revenue and billing data between platforms.
  • Managed all IT procurement activities and external support contracts, ensuring cost efficiency, service quality, and alignment with business needs.
  • Led and managed a national IT support team of four, delivering IT services to over 300 users and 90+ field engineers across 10 regional offices.
  • Developed and maintained IT strategy documentation, operational procedures, and technical user manuals to ensure consistency and best practice across the organisation.
  • Owned responsibility for business continuity and disaster recovery planning, alongside safeguarding system security and maintaining strict data confidentiality standards.
  • Prepared and managed IT budgets, as well as producing detailed quarterly board reports to support strategic decision-making and financial oversight.
  • Worked closely with senior leadership to interpret and translate evolving business strategy into actionable IT roadmaps and initiatives.
  • Defined and delivered the global IT strategy through structured business requirements, execution of strategic IT projects, and deployment of enterprise applications and technologies.
  • Supported senior management in the preparation and submission of tenders for multi-million-pound framework agreements.
  • Established governance and performance management frameworks for IT vendors and service providers across the group.
  • Ensured consistent compliance with global IT policies and standards, standardising processes across all business units and regions.
  • Coordinated the delivery of IT services across multiple geographic regions, ensuring consistency, reliability, and scalability.
  • Led business analysis activities to support the deployment of global, regional, and local technology solutions.
  • Reported directly to the Group Managing Director and Private Equity Investment Board, providing strategic oversight and IT governance at executive level.

 

October 2005 – January 2013
I.T Manager / Technology Manager
Swift Fire & Security Limited | 20 Million Turnover | 300 Employees | 8 Sites

 

System Development and Achievements

 

  • Led the implementation of VMware ESXi and VMware vCenter to virtualise the existing infrastructure, significantly reducing physical hardware costs while enhancing business continuity and system resilience. This included migrating 15 live physical servers onto 4 high-availability physical hosts using Dell EqualLogic SAN storage and Dell PowerEdge servers.
  • Managed the migration of legacy Citrix environments, upgrading from Presentation Server versions 3 and 4.5 through to Citrix XenApp 5, improving application delivery performance and stability.
  • Successfully implemented and project managed a BroadSoft hosted VoIP solution across eight regional centres, improving communications reliability and scalability across the organisation.
  • Delivered a paperless service and maintenance solution using SOTI, Android devices, and a third-party CRM platform, streamlining field operations and improving data capture and reporting efficiency.

 

 

Key Responsibilities

 

  • Managed and supported a centralised IT infrastructure comprising 6 physical servers and 32 virtual servers, ensuring high availability and performance across the business.
  • Administered and maintained 6 Citrix XenApp servers, supporting secure application delivery and remote access capabilities.
  • Oversaw the organisation’s multi-modular ERP and CRM systems, ensuring stability, integration, and alignment with business operations.
  • Led the delivery of new technology solutions within the security industry, including CCTV, access control, intruder alarm, and fire systems.
  • Provided technical ownership for 24/7 CCTV and alarm monitoring platforms, ensuring continuous service availability and operational resilience.
  • Managed the integration of acquired businesses into the core IT infrastructure, ensuring smooth system and data transitions.
  • Responsible for all IT procurement activities and external support contracts, ensuring cost-effective and reliable service delivery.
  • Led a team of four IT support staff, delivering IT services to over 250 users and 100+ field engineers across eight regional offices.
  • Provided 3rd line technical support, resolving escalated infrastructure and application issues to ensure minimal business disruption.
  • Developed and maintained IT strategy documentation, operational procedures, and technical manuals to support consistent IT governance.
  • Produced IT budgets and delivered quarterly board-level reports to support strategic planning and financial oversight.
  • Reported directly to the Technical IT Director and Managing Director, providing senior-level technical insight and operational leadership.
March 2004 – October 2005
Network Support Administrator
Nord Anglia Education Plc
March 1999 – March 2004
Network Support Administrator
Swift Fire & Security Limited
EDUCATION & TRAINING
2000-2002
Microsoft Course MCSE NT
Manchester
1999 - 2002
NVQ - 1, 2, 3 .
Information Technology (City & Guilds)
1998 - 1999
NVQ - 1, 2
Electrical Installation (Stockport College)
1997 - 1998
GNVQ
Art & Design (Stockport College)
1992 - 1997
GCSE
Spurley Hey High School
My Skills
Core Skills
  • The ability to manage teams effectively
  • Onboarding and training new staff
  • Contract negotiation
  • IT Strategy
  • IT Security
  • Project management
  • IT Management
  • Designing procedures
  • Supply Chain Management
  • Budgeting
Technical Skills
  • Citrix
  • Window Server OS
  • Linux Server
  • VmWare
  • Veeam Cloud Backup
  • Acronis Backup
  • Windows Client OS
  • Networking
  • SOTI / MobiControls
Testimonials
Get in touch
  • Email: craigprunty@craigprunty.co.uk
  • Phone: +44 7912 314 694
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