Benjamin Hunt: A Journey of Leadership in IT Systems Management and Platform Ownership
Benjamin Hunt is a name that stands out in the world of business systems and IT platform management. His career trajectory, marked by both breadth and depth of experience, has seen him excel in a variety of roles, from accounting to IT systems management and, eventually, platform ownership in the higher education sector. This article delves into Benjamin Hunt’s career evolution, focusing on his time at Pyroban Limited and his current role at the University of Sussex. We explore his professional growth, the skills he developed, and his contributions to both organizations, along with the future of platform ownership in higher education.
Benjamin Hunt: The Early Years
Benjamin Hunt’s professional journey began with his role as a Purchase Ledger Clerk at Herman Miller, where he gained foundational knowledge in accountancy. This early exposure to financial management set the stage for his eventual transition into more complex roles. Over the next few years, Benjamin continued to build his expertise in accountancy, earning an AAT Technician qualification in accountancy from Wothing College.
His skills in financial operations soon paved the way for him to take on more responsibility at Pyroban Limited, an organization that would become central to his professional development.
Pyroban: From Purchase Ledger Clerk to IT Manager
Benjamin Hunt’s journey at Pyroban Limited is a testament to his ability to adapt and thrive in a dynamic work environment. Pyroban, a company known for its safety solutions in hazardous industries, provided Benjamin with the opportunity to explore both financial and IT management roles.
A Strong Foundation in Finance
Benjamin started his tenure at Pyroban as a Purchase Ledger Clerk and eventually progressed to the role of Assistant Management Accountant. These roles enabled him to understand the intricacies of financial management, budgeting, and reporting, laying a strong foundation for his future career in business systems and IT management.
Transition into IT and Business Systems
In a significant career shift, Benjamin transitioned from finance to IT, becoming a Business Systems Coordinator at Pyroban. This role marked the beginning of his involvement with Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems, a transition that would define much of his career moving forward. He was responsible for implementing ERP systems across multiple countries, including the UK, France, Netherlands, and China, thereby gaining a global perspective on business systems and IT infrastructure.
His efforts at Pyroban were pivotal during the company’s acquisition by Caterpillar. As an IT Analyst III, Benjamin was tasked with managing change management initiatives and overseeing IT infrastructure. This transition period was critical in honing his skills in managing large-scale IT projects and ensuring that business operations were integrated into Caterpillar’s systems. His leadership in this phase helped Pyroban maintain operational continuity during significant organizational changes.
Leadership Role as IT Manager
In 2018, Benjamin was appointed as IT Manager for both the UK businesses under Pyroban, where he led the IT team and managed key systems. This leadership position further expanded his skills in IT management, including systems integration, network management, and data security. His experience as an IT Manager laid the groundwork for his subsequent move into platform ownership, where he would be responsible for overseeing the lifecycle of entire IT platforms.
Transition to Higher Education: Platform Owner at the University of Sussex
In late 2022, Benjamin Hunt made the bold decision to leave Pyroban and venture into the higher education sector. His move to the University of Sussex as Platform Owner – Core Applications in January 2023 marked a new chapter in his career.
As Platform Owner, Benjamin is responsible for overseeing the university’s core IT platforms. His role involves managing the development, integration, and maintenance of these platforms to ensure they support the university’s goals and provide value to its stakeholders.
Key Responsibilities and Achievements
Benjamin’s role as Platform Owner – Core Applications at the University of Sussex is multi-faceted. He is responsible for:
- Leading and Managing IT Services: Benjamin promotes a culture of continuous improvement within the university’s IT department, ensuring that the services provided are of the highest quality.
- Lifecycle Management of Platforms: As the voice of the customer, he oversees the entire lifecycle of the core applications, from user story development to sprint planning and backlog prioritization. His ability to understand both the technical and customer needs makes him an invaluable asset to the university.
- Collaboration with Stakeholders: Benjamin works closely with various university stakeholders to ensure seamless service delivery. His role involves building strong relationships across departments and aligning IT solutions with the university’s overall strategy.
- Platform Roadmap and Development: One of his key responsibilities is to maintain a comprehensive understanding of the roadmaps of the solutions that underpin the platform. By working with business stakeholders, he creates and updates local roadmaps for ongoing development and improvements.
- Monitoring and Reporting: Benjamin also tracks the usage of platform capabilities, generating reports that help guide future improvements and feature updates. His data-driven approach ensures that the university’s IT platforms remain relevant and valuable to all users.
This shift from private sector IT management to higher education demonstrates Benjamin’s versatility and adaptability. His expertise in ERP systems and change management, honed during his time at Pyroban, is now being applied to the unique challenges of the higher education sector.
The Role of Platform Ownership in Higher Education
Benjamin Hunt’s role as Platform Owner is not just a job title but a reflection of a growing trend in the way universities manage their IT ecosystems. Platform ownership has become crucial in modernizing university infrastructures, allowing institutions to deliver seamless, integrated experiences to both students and staff.
In today’s digital age, universities rely on a wide range of software platforms to support everything from administrative tasks to student learning management systems. The role of the platform owner is pivotal in ensuring that these systems work together efficiently, are constantly improved, and meet the ever-changing needs of users.
Benjamin’s work at the University of Sussex exemplifies this trend. As more universities adopt cloud-based solutions, integrate various IT platforms, and focus on improving the student experience, platform ownership will continue to be a vital role for the success of these institutions.
Conclusion
Benjamin Hunt’s career journey from a Purchase Ledger Clerk to IT Manager and eventually Platform Owner is a testament to his dedication, adaptability, and leadership. His work at Pyroban Limited, particularly in ERP system implementation and change management, has been instrumental in shaping his approach to IT platform ownership today. At the University of Sussex, he continues to make significant contributions to the higher education sector, ensuring that the university’s core applications serve both its academic and administrative needs.
As Benjamin’s career continues to evolve, his story serves as an inspiration for those looking to transition between industries and roles. His ability to leverage his diverse experiences in finance, IT, and platform management demonstrates that career growth is not just about moving up but also about embracing new challenges and opportunities.
