Senthil Janakiraman
Reading,UK
Summary
SC‑cleared British technology leader with 20 years of experience shaping quality engineering strategy across complex, high‑value digital programmes. Brings deep expertise in test automation, API and performance engineering, cloud‑based assurance, and data‑centric testing, including large‑scale Data Hub rollouts and modern integration architectures. Operates confidently at programme and portfolio level, influencing senior stakeholders and driving quality outcomes across multi‑disciplinary delivery teams.
Adept at establishing enterprise‑wide test strategies, leading tooling procurement, and managing significant budgets to deliver scalable, cost‑effective quality solutions. Experienced across the full software delivery lifecycle, including UAT, mobile and cloud testing, governance, risk management, and continuous improvement. Recognised for elevating organisational test maturity, modernising quality practices, and enabling predictable, high‑quality delivery in fast‑moving environments.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
5
5
years of post-secondary education
Work history
Head of Test Programme
UKRI
Swindon
2021.08 - Current
- Led and matrix‑managed a cross‑functional team of 20+ quality engineers , improving delivery throughput and strengthening quality across multi‑programme portfolios.
- Directed end‑to‑end test strategy for major digital services, including Data Hub testing, large‑scale data migrations, API‑driven integrations, and cloud‑native rollouts , improving integration reliability across platforms.
- Held responsibility for a £1M+ quality and tooling budget , delivering cost‑efficient outcomes and ensuring the organisation had the right test capabilities at scale.
- Owned enterprise‑wide tooling strategy and procurement , implementing modern test platforms (Azure DevOps, CI/CD, automation frameworks, API and performance tools) that increased automation coverage by 30% .
- Introduced quality governance frameworks that reduced operational incidents and strengthened platform stability for high‑risk services.
- Ensured predictable, risk‑based delivery of major releases through strong stakeholder alignment, clear acceptance criteria, and disciplined governance.
- Enhanced team capability through targeted skills uplift and continuous improvement, increasing productivity and cross‑team collaboration.
- Provided senior leadership with evidence‑based quality insights and go/no‑go recommendations , improving decision‑making at programme and portfolio level.
- Strengthened end‑to‑end assurance across modern architectures — including microservices, event‑driven systems, and cloud‑hosted platforms — reducing integration defects by 20% .
Test programme manager/ DevOps Manager
Gensight
Basingstoke , UK
2019.07 - 2021.07
- Coordinated across development and business teams to create detailed, comprehensive, and well‑structured test strategies, test plans, and test cases.
- Led Security Testing and Regression Testing activities across multiple product lines.
- Designed a full automation framework from scratch, enabling scalable and maintainable automated testing.
- Planned and oversaw the release of new product versions, establishing new release standards and documentation.
- Produced and published periodic organisation‑wide reports on project progress and quality metrics.
- Managed a team of 2 Test Analysts and a Lead Test Analyst, conducting regular 1:1s and providing structured coaching and feedback.
- Developed best practices and testing procedures adopted across multiple internal projects.
- Provided quality assurance for project deliverables aligned to Agile delivery schedules.
- Designed and implemented a CI/CD pipeline integrating JIRA, Git, and Jenkins across geographically distributed Azure hosting zones.
- Supported Senior Management in transitioning to Agile–Scrum, with a focus on test tooling, test management, and coaching across front‑ and back‑end systems.
- Introduced automated testing using TDD/BDD methodologies and modernised the test tool suite; implemented source control with Git and CI with Jenkins.
- Served as Test Manager for two Scrum teams delivering portfolio management tools, process tools, and cloud hosting solutions for high‑profile clients including Suncor Energy, AkzoNobel, and Dulux.
- Collaborated on the development of comprehensive testing plans, consistently achieving desired outcomes for the Gensight platform.
Test Manager
Capita IT Services
2012.02 - 2019.07
- Led testing delivery across multiple client portfolios, including Financial Services , Ministry of Defence (MoD) , and Smart Metering programmes, operating within highly regulated and security‑sensitive environments.
- Managed end‑to‑end test planning, execution, and quality assurance for complex, multi‑vendor technology solutions.
- Coordinated with cross‑functional teams to ensure test coverage, risk mitigation, and alignment with client‑specific compliance and security standards.
- Oversaw functional, non‑functional, and integration testing across diverse platforms and legacy systems.
- Implemented structured test processes and governance frameworks to improve consistency and quality across projects.
- Provided leadership, coaching, and day‑to‑day support to test teams delivering services to high‑profile public and private sector clients.
- Ensured timely and high‑quality delivery of test artefacts, defect management, and release readiness across concurrent workstreams.
- Built strong relationships with client stakeholders, translating business requirements into robust test strategies and measurable outcomes.
- Lead cross-functional teams to plan and deliver testing for major UK public sector clients like MoJ, MoD, Pensions Regulator, OFGEM, etc.
- Designed Test Automation Strategy from scratch.
- Introduced Test Automation tools and assisted production of and provided approval for test scenarios and scripts for all work-stream.
IT Strategy Intern
BT (Global Banking and Financial Markets)
London, UK
2011.05 - 2011.10
- Developed the cloud services value proposition to migrate customers to an integrated service framework.
- Built the cloud services roadmap from business case to pilot and implementation.
- Conducted market analysis to identify trends and strategic opportunities.
- Designed and delivered executive‑level questionnaires to capture client expectations.
- Performed capability gap analysis and provided strategic recommendations.
- Created the business plan for future cloud services within BT GB&FM.
Test Lead
Royal Bank of Scotland (IDC)
Chennai, India
2009.11 - 2010.10
- Produced product test strategies and test plans aligned to S&F business requirements.
- Coordinated with design, business, and infrastructure teams to track requirements and secure test environments.
- Developed the strategic roadmap for the Test Execution Team.
- Led engineers and contractors to deliver testing across multiple projects.
- Delivered test exit reports highlighting gaps between business requirements and delivered solutions.
- Supported quality assurance across large‑scale retail and corporate banking operations in the United Kingdom, North America, and India.
Test Lead
NTT Data Americas (Formerly Keane Inc)
Chennai, India
2005.04 - 2009.11
- Project Leader for a team of Test Engineers and Trainees.
- Analysis of Design and Requirements.
- Preparation of Test Strategy and Plan documents.
- Mapping Traceability with Business Requirements and Gap Analysis.
- Resource Effort Estimation and Budgeting.
- Train and mentor people in the team w.r.t. Test Assurance processes.
- Member of Technical Panel for campus Recruitments.
Education
MBA - International Business
University of Birmingham
2010.01 - 2011.01
Bachelor of Engineering - undefined
University of Madras
2000.01 - 2004.01
Skills
- Test automation tools mastery
- Programme lifecycle management
- API testing proficiency
- Performance testing expertise
- Test script creation
- Budget management proficiency
- User acceptance testing experience
- Cloud-Based testing experience
- Mobile application testing
- Strategic planning tools
Timeline
Head of Test Programme
UKRI
2021.08 - Current
Test programme manager/ DevOps Manager
Gensight
2019.07 - 2021.07
Test Manager
Capita IT Services
2012.02 - 2019.07
IT Strategy Intern
BT (Global Banking and Financial Markets)
2011.05 - 2011.10
MBA - International Business
University of Birmingham
2010.01 - 2011.01
Test Lead
Royal Bank of Scotland (IDC)
2009.11 - 2010.10
Test Lead
NTT Data Americas (Formerly Keane Inc)
2005.04 - 2009.11
Bachelor of Engineering - undefined
University of Madras
2000.01 - 2004.01