Andrew Potter
NEWPORT,Shropshire
Summary
I have worked in the Life and Pensions sector for the last 25 years. I spent 7 years as the IT Integration Test manager.
In the last year I have been working as QA Engineer Lead, bringing my IT experience and knowledge to the new Finance platforms. Here I have enhanced the release process and where possible looked for solutions to make the process slicker. I have looked at automation and seen where we can improve this to make automation first as we move forward and ensure we have the tools to make this happen.
I am someone who will challenge the status quo should I see areas where a process can be done quicker and cheaper but still ensuring the governance and quality level are met.
I am a Skilled individual with technical knowledge and training to meet customer specifications and project goals. History maintaining clear and complete documentation, investigating and solving issues and correcting performance problems. Understands and meets technical requirements. Energetic employee well-versed in strong communication and organisation skills. Seeks solutions to problems and applies extensive analytical knowledge to findings. Adept at multi-tasking, leading group discussions and managing projects.
Takes on challenging new role harnessing interpersonal skills, collaboration and problem-solving. Driven to deliver high-quality service and consistent results.
Overview
36
36
years of professional experience
2
2
years of post-secondary education
Work history
QA Engineer Lead
Phoenix
Telford, Telford and Wrekin
2025.02 - Current
- Developed test plans to ensure thorough evaluation of products.
- Maintained detailed records of testing processes for future reference and analysis.
- Ensure 3rd party consultants conform to our standards
- Introduced a robust delivery and deployment process
- Ensured good governance for all deployments on Finance platforms
- Reviewed test automation and where possible looked to enhance what we have
- Worked across a number of projects to ensure good practices were followed
Release and Configuration Manager
Phoenix Group
Telford, Telford and Wrekin
2023.08 - Current
- Managed code development and deployment processes in line with release cycles to fulfil company goals.
- Compiled release notes and associated documentation for new products and updates.
- Ensured project governance was adhered to for each release
- Managed Quarterly releases for Actuarial Finance
- Ensured correct code was deployed on time for Project testing and also release Merge testing
- Ensured all code was correctly merged from Project into testing into one version for Release Merge test phase
- Worked with Audit to ensure process and governance was being adhered too.
- Ensured all tickets were correctly approved and updated in Service Now.
- Kept a holistic view of all releases in flight so was aware of what was going on at all times.
- Made a number of improvements to the release process as well as highlighting suggestions where we could run release more efficiently.
- Challenged the Development process were I believed this could be done more efficiently.
IT Test and Technical Release Manager
Reassure (Pheonix)
Telford, Shropshire
2016.04 - 2023.08
- Transitioned the Team from Development Component Integration Test to an Integral Test phase before handoff to Service Transition of the release.
- Responsible for Integration Test phase sign off
- Responsible for Test Approach
- Defect triage and resolution
- Refined testing policies, procedures and scripts.
- Adhered to company policies, maintaining compliance and readiness for audits.
- Focused on process improvement and automation to overcome recurring release issues.
- Responsible for ensuring software deployment into Test was accurate and stable.
- Created a robust regression test suite both manual and automated
- Installed new technologies without disrupting workflow.
- Used critical thinking to break down problems, evaluate solutions and make decisions.
Live Support Team Lead
Reassure (Pheonix)
Telford, Shropshire
2014.02 - 2016.04
- Mentored and coached junior staff to produce high-performing, quality team members.
- Responsible for Over night support Rota within the team
- Actively did overnight batch support
- Created and maintained detailed documentation around known issues on over night batch support
- Observed workflow to establish system development priorities.
- Provided leadership and direction for employees, supervising activities to drive productivity and efficiency.
- Monitored staff performance levels, implementing necessary changes to improve productivity and meet targets.
- Supported new hires through onboarding process for speedy and successful training.
IT Live Support Developer
Reassure (Pheonix)
Telford, Shropshire
2013.06 - 2014.02
- Continuously developed in house application by testing and implementing new features, identifying and fixing bugs and generating support documentation.
- Highlighted new issues on the application and analysed the problem to a root cause.
- Supported over night batch support for Test and Production.
IT Environment Senior Analyst
AdminRe (Reassure) (Pheonix)
Telford, Shropshire
2010.10 - 2013.06
- Create and maintained automated scripts to build test environments consistently.
- Released all code to Test databases in a controlled manner.
- Reacted to Environmental issues and fixed quickly and where possible future proofed the resolution.
- Facilitated system expansion, modification and updates.
- Outlined needs to meet end user requirements.
- Identified current inefficiencies and recommended changing functionality or behaviours to eliminate concerns.
IT Configuration and Release Analsyt
AdminRe (Reassure) (Pheonix)
Telford, Shropshire
2007.10 - 2010.10
- Offered ongoing technical support to clients and end-users to improve system stability.
- Maintained code version control
- Created Release plans for Live
- Ran Live implementations of new functional changes
- Actively contributed to Live Triage of defects and root cause analysis.
Operations Analyst
Windsor Life (AdminRe) (Reassure) (Pheonix)
Telford, Shropshire
2003.05 - 2007.09
- Testing and checking datafixes to ensure they update what is required only - reject any with valid reasons and liasie with developer as to the failure reason and then work with the developer to correct and test.
- Responsible for writing and executing test scripts on Functional changes
- Data testing on migration of data ensuring correct data mapping between source system and target system
- Team SME on ALPHA Financial accounting - all fixes impacting accounting and General Ledger came through me.
Finance Analyst
Windsor Life (AdminRe) (Reassure) (Pheonix)
Telford, Shropshire
2000.01 - 2003.05
- Day to day financial accounting, balancing accounting codes within the ALPHA platform.
- Part of a project to get ALPHA loan functionality working correctly - working with project leads and Alpha Developers.
- Raising and analysing issues where accounting codes don't balance and needs code fixing.
Office Manager
Dalgety Agriculture
Shrewsbury, Shropshire
1996.05 - 1999.12
- Prepared vendor invoices and processed incoming payments.
- Enhanced productivity of managers by providing expert administrative support.
- Responsible Health & Safety
- In busy periods delivered Seed and Chemicals to Shropshire Farms
- Loaded and unloaded wagons with fork lift truck
Accounts and Wages Analyst
Russells Rubber (Hutchinson UK)
Telford, Shropshire
1989.07 - 1996.05
- Produced weekly wages for factory workers
- Balanced weekly Trade union accounts
- Ran Purchase Ledger
- Dealt with queries from workers on wages paid.
- Ensured company sick pay was paid and account balanced.
Education
John Hunt School
Certificate of Higher Education - Business and Finance
TCAT
Telford 1990.09 - 1992.05
Skills
- Microsoft Teams
- Office 365
- Software testing
- Waterfall methodology
- Managing Hybrid Teams
- Managing releases
- Scheduling releases
- Quality assurance
- Documentation Management
- Agile Development Method
- Attention to Detail
Accomplishments
ITIL Qualification
Timeline
QA Engineer Lead
Phoenix
2025.02 - Current
Release and Configuration Manager
Phoenix Group
2023.08 - Current
IT Test and Technical Release Manager
Reassure (Pheonix)
2016.04 - 2023.08
Live Support Team Lead
Reassure (Pheonix)
2014.02 - 2016.04
IT Live Support Developer
Reassure (Pheonix)
2013.06 - 2014.02
IT Environment Senior Analyst
AdminRe (Reassure) (Pheonix)
2010.10 - 2013.06
IT Configuration and Release Analsyt
AdminRe (Reassure) (Pheonix)
2007.10 - 2010.10
Operations Analyst
Windsor Life (AdminRe) (Reassure) (Pheonix)
2003.05 - 2007.09
Finance Analyst
Windsor Life (AdminRe) (Reassure) (Pheonix)
2000.01 - 2003.05
Office Manager
Dalgety Agriculture
1996.05 - 1999.12
Certificate of Higher Education - Business and Finance
TCAT
1990.09 - 1992.05
Accounts and Wages Analyst
Russells Rubber (Hutchinson UK)
1989.07 - 1996.05
John Hunt School