Summary
Overview
Work history
Education
Skills
Timeline
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Colin Adams

Colin Adams

Rosewell,Midlothian

Summary

Change Leader with over 20 years of experience in executing complex Change Programme's in Insurance, Banking, and Energy sectors. Expertise in Change and Technology delivery, Business Transformation, and Assurance, including Mergers and Acquisitions and Data Migration. Recognized for cultivating high-performing cross-functional teams and driving transformative initiatives that achieve significant business outcomes. Proven ability to formulate and implement impactful change that align with organisational goals.

Overview

13
13
years of professional experience

Work history

Programme Manager (Contractor)

Phoenix Group
Edinburgh, City of Edinburgh
12.2022 - Current
  • Delivery lead for the design and execution of large-scale open book pension migration programme, as part of overall 4 million customer policy transformation from Phoenix to TCS.
  • Collaborated with senior leadership to align project objectives with corporate strategy.
  • Facilitated effective communication among multiple executive sponsors and senior stakeholders.
  • Successfully delivered complex migration while enabling organisational transformation and new business opportunities.
  • Managed cross-functional delivery teams of approximately 200 full-time equivalents to enhance collaboration and efficiency.
  • Ensured the successful delivery of over 15 workstreams (Technology Proposition, Finance, Digital, Operations etc) all with separate plans and outcomes as well as cross workstream dependencies.
  • Managed 3rd party (Diligenta/TCS) strategic partner delivery, challenging delivery performance, unblocking issues and ensuring consistent messaging to Executive Steering.
  • Established clear goals and benchmarks to improve transparency of strategic partner delivery.
  • Executed migration phases, prioritising business risk appetite and technical feasibility.
  • Developed risk management strategies to mitigate challenges during migration process.

Programme Director (Contractor)

Ovo Energy
Edinburgh, City of Edinburgh
02.2020 - 11.2022
  • Delivered a £2.2 million, three-year programme within complex integration roadmap.
  • Led inception and design of a recognised integration programme, achieving KPIs and benefits.
  • Implemented transition to new Insurance Underwriter for regulatory compliance in OVO Home Services.
  • Deployed new engineer callout technology while integrating operations from legacy SSE model.
  • Executed migration of approximately 350,000 customers to a unified target platform.
  • Streamlined organisational design for Home Services, optimising roles and reducing headcount costs.
  • Managed cross-functional teams of approximately 95 colleagues using Agile and Waterfall methodologies.
  • Chaired Executive Steering Committee, engaging with senior stakeholders and leading integration efforts.

Senior Programme Manager (Contractor)

Royal Bank of Scotland
Edinburgh, City of Edinburgh
10.2018 - 02.2020
  • Led delivery of £18m Migration and Integration Programme within Technology Transformation portfolio.
  • Migrated over 100 User Access & Security applications to strategic platform by Q4 2020.
  • Integrated processes and BAU capabilities to enhance colleague and customer experience post-migration.
  • Managed significant risks associated with deadlines and ongoing support model costs.
  • Influenced RBS Domain leadership teams to ensure application readiness and adherence to commitments.
  • Directed design challenges for target platform, resulting in fundamental changes to end solution.
  • Executed Agile programme with daily stand-ups, two-week sprints, and agile tooling.
  • Served as Product Owner deputy for backlog refinement decisions, contributing to Director review sessions.

Head of Merger & Transformation Programme

M&G Prudential
Edinburgh / Reading / London
02.2018 - 10.2018
  • Delivered M&G Prudential Merger and Transformation over five years, overseeing £1bn change programme.
  • Reported directly to Group COO, ensuring adherence to challenging timescales.
  • Provided senior oversight across multiple business and technology workstreams, aligning with internal and external requirements.
  • Conducted regular reviews of programme plans, ensuring realistic outcomes and benefit forecasts.
  • Designed high-quality executive quarterly reviews, facilitating robust discussions on costs, benefits, and risks.
  • Managed c£100m BAU Portfolio, covering Legacy, Regulatory, and Mandatory Change initiatives.
  • Ensured effective delivery capability, financial control, and risk management within BAU Portfolio.
  • Acted as single accountable interface for governance within formal BAU committee.

Head of Change & IT Operations

Prudential
Edinburgh / Reading
02.2017 - 02.2018
  • Directed largest leadership role in Strategic Change and IT, focusing on Change Delivery.
  • Ensured effective delivery of change portfolio through capability oversight and programme assurance.
  • Managed £100m BAU Portfolio, encompassing Legacy, Regulatory, and Mandatory Change.
  • Oversaw risk management, financial control, and plan management as deputy chair for Prudential Investment Committee.
  • Accountable for IT Services management and strategic supplier coordination for Prudential UK.
  • Implemented Programme & Project Management People Practice, transitioning 125 FTE from Line to Practice model.
  • Pioneered agile training initiatives within M&G Prudential programmes, enabling new agile methodologies.
  • Developed Enterprise PMO with 18 FTE, enhancing assurance and oversight capabilities.

Head of Technology Performance & Business Mgt

Royal Bank of Scotland
Edinburgh
09.2015 - 02.2017
  • Designed and implemented an operating model for Performance & Business Management.
  • Delivered enhanced services with consistent operational rhythms and reduced headcount.
  • Secured approximately 110 new permanent hires over 18 months, improving staff mix.
  • Established a robust risk and controls framework aligned with bank standards.
  • Developed a People Board to enhance focus on capability measurement and planning.
  • Recognised as a centre for change management, delivery assurance, and supplier management.
  • Significantly improved capability in strategic areas such as Digital despite market challenges.

Head of Business Operations, Insurance CIO

Lloyds Banking Group
Edinburgh
03.2012 - 09.2015
  • Eliminated barriers to delivery within change portfolio, ensuring effective management and control.
  • Served as right-hand deputy to CIO Director, addressing portfolio-wide challenges.
  • Led transformation of Group IT to new operating model by developing a high-performing team.
  • Overseen delivery of Insurance IT Change Portfolio worth c£200 million annually for strategic change delivery.
  • Directed IT transformation of target operating model while supporting organisational design initiatives.
  • Established robust governance meetings and controls, enhancing financial management practices.
  • Fostered strong relationships with business divisions to prioritise portfolio effectively.
  • Increased permanent capability in Project Management and Business Analysis by 15% through recruitment initiatives.

Education

MSc Business Management - Business Management

Edinburgh Napier University
Edinburgh

APMP - Project Management

Project Management Institute

P3O Practitioner - Portfolio, Programme & Project Offices

The Knowledge Academy

ACIBS, MCIBS - Banking

Chartered Institute of Bankers

Skills

  • Programme management
  • Technology integration
  • Business transformation
  • Data migration
  • Stakeholder management
  • Organisational leadership
  • People development
  • Team collaboration
  • Governance and risk management

Timeline

Programme Manager (Contractor)

Phoenix Group
12.2022 - Current

Programme Director (Contractor)

Ovo Energy
02.2020 - 11.2022

Senior Programme Manager (Contractor)

Royal Bank of Scotland
10.2018 - 02.2020

Head of Merger & Transformation Programme

M&G Prudential
02.2018 - 10.2018

Head of Change & IT Operations

Prudential
02.2017 - 02.2018

Head of Technology Performance & Business Mgt

Royal Bank of Scotland
09.2015 - 02.2017

Head of Business Operations, Insurance CIO

Lloyds Banking Group
03.2012 - 09.2015

MSc Business Management - Business Management

Edinburgh Napier University

APMP - Project Management

Project Management Institute

P3O Practitioner - Portfolio, Programme & Project Offices

The Knowledge Academy

ACIBS, MCIBS - Banking

Chartered Institute of Bankers

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