Donna Bentley
Milton Keynes,Buckinghamshire
Summary
Accomplished professional with extensive expertise in business architecture and strategy, enterprise capability modelling, and target operating model design. Deep proven track record in leading business transformation projects. Skilled in complex multi/global stakeholder management, crisis recovery, and change management. Demonstrated success in commercial leadership with £150M+ deal wins and adept at vendor selection, contract negotiations, and partner ecosystem design. Committed to optimising organisational success while driving excellence in delivering strategy projects.
Overview
41
41
years of professional experience
Work history
Associate Consultant - Business Transformation
SaturnFive & Lithium3
07.2020 - 07.2025
- In an associate capacity provide expert ad-hoc management consulting input where client needs extend to business transformation design (infrequent and according to availability)
Business Architect/HR Transformation Architect
Mercedes-Benz AG
07.2022 - 01.2025
- Design lead on Next Generation Operating Model for global HR reinvention delivering:
- Global HR business capability model and transformation roadmap
- Leadership in selection of HCM (Workday) and SI partner (Accenture)
- Design authority during Workday HCM project
- Target business product & service portfolio design aligned with enterprise transformation goals
- Interim Global Product Owner - Talent Aquisition
Consultant Business Architect
First Central Insurance Group
11.2021 - 04.2022
- Designed and established the company's first Business Architecture Framework
- Delivered multi-product harmonised business capability model aligned to strategy
- Led procurement process for Enterprise Architecture tool
HR Projects/Programme Manager
Mercedes-Benz (UK) Limited
10.2020 - 01.2022
- Created short, medium and long-term transformation roadmap for MBUK HR
- Designed target HR value chain and operating model
- Led projects for end-to-end HR landscape carve-out during Daimler Trucks separation, and later Retail business sale establishing independent HR capabilities for each business
- Delivered multiple projects within the roadmap and left clear onward journey plan when moving to next role
COVID-19 Response Roles
Various
03.2020 - 10.2020
- Project Manager, Foodbank Xtra Business Start-Up: Rapidly established home delivery service for vulnerable populations during pandemic lockdown, including process design, infrastructure setup, and remote team training
- Mobile COVID Testing, G4S: Redesigned end-to-end COVID testing processes to enhance customer experience while delivering frontline testing services
Service Architect & Transition Lead
Motor Insurers' Bureau
09.2019 - 03.2020
- Led transition for cloud migration strategy and target service architecture redesign
- Established new architecture practice with methodologies and governance frameworks coaching project delivery teams involved in the strategy
- Delivered readiness and transition authority for 30+ inflight projects during latter part of transformation
Senior Business Analyst & Commercial Lead
John Lewis Financial Services
10.2017 - 08.2019
- Designed disruptive digital-first insurance proposition with customer-centric journey
- Created target operating model and capability framework for new insurance business
- Led selection and commercial negotiations for ecosystem of specialist service providers
- Designed complex multi-partner transformation programme with interdependent delivery streams
Customer Centre (Account) Manager
T-Systems UK
01.2007 - 06.2010
- Led automotive IT services B2B account with full P&L responsibility (VW Group UK)
- Managed strategic client relationships and service performance across portfolio of pipeline and in-flight projects
- Successfully led contract renewal bid resulting in multi-year extension
Global Head of Strategic Change
The BOC Group
01.2005 - 12.2006
- Led change strategy for global IT transformation programme
- Designed and led target operating model for outsourcing and offshoring services to India, working side-by-side with global HR
- Co-designed, working alongside HR, restructuring of global IT leadership and delivery teams
General Manager - IT & Strategy
Gist Limited
01.1998 - 12.2004
- Dual responsibility for internal business strategy and external client consulting and delivery of projects (all PMs/BAs reporting into me)
- Developed recovery strategy for client's failed IT programme, leading to successful turnaround
- Redesigned services portfolio resulting in new operating model and company rebranding from BOC Distribution Services to Gist Limited
Strategic Programme Manager
Volkswagen Group UK
03.1984 - 12.1998
- Progressed from Business Analyst/Project Manager to divisional Programme Lead for all VW Group Aftersales strategic projects
- Transformed parts supply chain resulting in £52M stock reduction and 3% service level improvement
- Designed, piloted and commissioned a book on what became a retail experience transformation programme for both Audi and VW brands
- Led aftersales integration of SEAT and Skoda into the Group
- Developed pan-European SAP strategy and led implementation rollout
- UK representative for Volkswagen AG pan-European IT strategy
- Delivered high-quality outcomes with strict adherence to quality standards.
Education
Business Strategy & Finance -
Henley Business School
07.2003 - 09.2003
Skills
- Business architecture & strategy
- Enterprise capability modelling
- Target operating model design
- Business transformation roadmaps
- Project & programme management
- Complex multi/global stakeholder management
- Crisis recovery
- Change management
- Digital transformation
- Cloud migration
- HCM & ERP selection and delivery
- Enterprise architecture
- Service design
- Commercial Leadership
- Vendor selection
- Contract negotiations
- Partner ecosystem design
- £150M deal wins
- Organisational design
- Merger/divestiture optimisation & delivery
Accomplishments
- Digital Transformation: Designed target operating model and supplier ecosystem for insurance proposition that disrupted industry norms.
- Business Architecture: Established Business Architecture practice for major Insurance Group, creating frameworks now used enterprise-wide.
- Supply Chain Innovation: Led industry-changing transformation of automotive parts supply chain, reducing stock by £52M while improving service levels by 3%.
- Commercial Success: Won multiple UK and international IT services deals with contract values up to £150M.
- Retail Innovation: Piloted transformative automotive retail experience that became the benchmark for premium motor retail in the UK.
- Crisis Management: Recovered failing strategic programmes, recognised by board-level commendation: 'For bringing us Truth and a Solution in crisis our Board is deeply grateful.'
Testimonials
"The finest example of Project Leadership we have encountered" (British Airways)
"No matter how seemingly difficult – you will make it happen" (The Linde Group)
MBTI - INFJ, 'The Advocate',
Timeline
Business Architect/HR Transformation Architect
Mercedes-Benz AG
07.2022 - 01.2025
Consultant Business Architect
First Central Insurance Group
11.2021 - 04.2022
HR Projects/Programme Manager
Mercedes-Benz (UK) Limited
10.2020 - 01.2022
Associate Consultant - Business Transformation
SaturnFive & Lithium3
07.2020 - 07.2025
COVID-19 Response Roles
Various
03.2020 - 10.2020
Service Architect & Transition Lead
Motor Insurers' Bureau
09.2019 - 03.2020
Senior Business Analyst & Commercial Lead
John Lewis Financial Services
10.2017 - 08.2019
Customer Centre (Account) Manager
T-Systems UK
01.2007 - 06.2010
Global Head of Strategic Change
The BOC Group
01.2005 - 12.2006
Business Strategy & Finance -
Henley Business School
07.2003 - 09.2003
General Manager - IT & Strategy
Gist Limited
01.1998 - 12.2004
Strategic Programme Manager
Volkswagen Group UK
03.1984 - 12.1998
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