Director Connectivity & Security at Datacom

Wellington, Wellington Region, New Zealand

It's been a real privilege leading security for Datacom NZ, managed cybersecurity for Australia and NZ, and working with the wider Datacom family. My role has now changed to include Datacom NZ's significant networking capability. I'm super excited about the opportunities this creates for our staff and the outcomes we're building for our customers. This move accelerates the work we were already doing to bring market leading solutions and change to our customers.

Datacom

Director Connectivity & Security

I am privileged to be working with our nationwide team, including our Australia/NZ security operations centre, to manage cybersecurity risks and issues for our customers.  We help them identify risks across their organisation and define and implement strategies which address those risks. My focus is on developing and driving security strategy, continuing to build the best team in the market, ensuring the effectiveness of our solutions, and providing thought-leading security consultation to our customers.

Director Cybersecurity

My role as Group CTO for Optic Security Group enabled me to look across our services in Australasia and work alongside every part of the business to bring more to our customers.  I am always striving to leverage technology for greater benefit.  I was focused on ensuring we were at the forefront of innovative security and technology solutions, that our products and services were the very best, and that our internal use of technology and digital transformation were benchmarks for what we did with our customers.

I held a dual role where I continued to lead Optic Digital, the IT division of Optic Security Group and work with my amazing team there, but I also enjoyed working more deeply with our wider Group right across New Zealand and Australia.  I continued to work directly with our customers, making sure I understood their needs and how we could best partner with them to build their businesses.

Optic Security Group

Group Chief Technology Officer

My role continued to evolve with our organisation.  It was a privilege to lead this evolution as we became Optic Digital.  We continued to offer the great services we always had, but had fresh conversations with existing and new customers; particularly around the importance of security.  We continued to grow and diversify our team; and we moved the head office to Lambton Quay.  It was an exciting time from both a strategic and tactical perspective.  I thoroughly enjoyed my great team and the excellent work they do, but also enjoyed working more with the services our group provides in the converged security space.  I spoke about key security and cloud topics at conferences during this time, telling the story of how converged security brings value to businesses and other organisations.

Optic Digital

It was a real privilege to take on my role as CEO/GM of COMSMART within the Optic Security Group.  My day-to-day role was to lead the growth of COMSMART, while also taking on responsibilities for the Optic Security Group, including the growth of our cyber security practice in New Zealand.

COMSMART, as part of the Optic Security Group delivers ICT and professional services, addressing end-to-end business needs that enable organisational and technology transformation.

Optic Security Group is an independent security and technology provider specialising in converged security solutions. They provide design, installation, and integration of solutions from door access control through to cyber-attack protection. Collectively, the Group delivers leading converged security solutions across NZ and Australia.

My role spanned every aspect of COMSMART across three functions of professional services, project services, and managed services.  I worked closely with each function of the business.

CEO/GM

COMSMART are a dynamic and growing firm committed to providing high quality services; and our people are passionate about solving real-world business and technology problems.  It’s inspiring to be part of the team taking COMSMART to the next level.
The focus of my role is to oversee, expand, and improve the ongoing business operations of COMSMART.  A key part of the role is ensuring our delivery is meeting customers’ needs and expectations.  I am also focused on helping COMSMART and our customers make the most of data and technology opportunities.
My role varies daily, as I work across all parts of COMSMART's business.  My team of direct reports include the Lead Engineer, Service Manager, Financial Controller, HR Manager, and Resourcing Team Lead.  I also work directly with many of our professionals in the field.  Another important aspect of my role is the work I do with the CEO and sales team on new opportunities and customer engagements; along with leading the development of new products and services to meet our customers' needs.

Chief Operating Officer

My role as Programme Architect on the TSSD Programme (Transforming the System of Service Delivery) was one of my most exciting roles.  The role spanned business and technology design and consulting for a programme that aims to deliver increased value for customers, staff and partner organisations.  The transformation is about working completely differently, with a big emphasis on embedding 'digital' as a way of working and delivering services.  The transformation covers key publicly-facing service areas including births, deaths, marriages, passports, and citizenship.

The role is best described as someone who can connect all the puzzle pieces; and with a large change to the organisation and processes, along with the retirement of all but one of the SDO branche's core business systems, and the introduction of new technology platforms, there are a lot of puzzle pieces.

I was part of a small team who developed a Programme Business Case (PBC) for submission to Cabinet.  We also directly led the consultation for this four-five year transformation with internal and external stakeholders, including GCIO and Treasury.  The full PBC was approved by Cabinet in December 2016.  I was also responsible for delivering a Design Overview as a precursor to a more detailed Programme Blueprint.  The Design Overview discussed all elements of the organisation's transformation and has become a foundation for further design and planning.

Soon after starting I worked with the Programme Manager and others to redesign our overall programme delivery approach and outline the specific activities that would be need to be delivered for the DIA to achieve its transformation goals.  This approach formed the basis for the PBC and the programme that is running now.

Department of Internal Affairs (NZ)

Programme Architect

Matthew worked as an Enterprise Architect on the EPA's organisation-wide programme of work.  He previously delivered solution architecture for EPA projects and continued to provide consulting advice and oversight to these.  As Enterprise Architect he was responsible for analysis, design, and advice across business and systems architecture.  Matthew worked with the business to help them realise their vision through business and technology change.  He made technology recommendations which were adopted organisation-wide; including sign-off to use significant cloud services.  In the second part of his tenure his focus was on business change and operating models - how the EPA can become a more efficient and effective organisation which is delivering maximum value to its customers.

He developed and delivered an organisation Blueprint, which has provided a wealth of business and technology insight to support the EPA's change journey and transformation.  He reported to a tier two general manager and the CEO as part of this work; and has presented to the executive leadership team and the EPA Board.

Work completed included: Advice on organisational structure, business process and process maturity, customer centricity, partnership approaches, organisational change, and programme implementation.  He also completed a review of system capability against business requirements, an organisation-wide technology roadmap, identification of gaps in readiness and capability, solution recommendations for how to address current and future business requirements, and solution delivery plans.  He helped define the programme of work - its benefits, priorities, and outcomes; and was part of capital planning, including a comprehensive RFP.

Environmental Protection Authority ~ Te Mana Rahuī Taiao

Enterprise Architect

As a COMSMART Consultant I worked on a wide range of projects in my previous role as a Solution Architect for ACC. In this role I had more of a focus on Digital, although that has always been a big part of my work for ACC. I was part of changing the way ACC do Digital so they can deliver faster, deliver more, and deliver higher-quality. In addition to project work, I was part of planning and designing the pipeline for digital solutions and services at ACC - honouring ACC's commitment to 'Digital First'.

Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC)

Lead Digital Architect

Project Manager for the Office of the Auditor General and Audit NZ.  Implementation of a SharePoint document management system for Audit NZ.  This involved analysis and design specific to Audit NZ; along with specifying required customisations; and working with the business to ensure a smooth transition.  This is a major step forward for their technology and will better support business processes in the future.  It was delivered on schedule and within budget.  The project delivered a very positive outcome, particularly considering what a small dedicated team was able to achieve in a short time frame.

Audit New Zealand and Office of the Auditor General

Project Manager

Solution Architect for the Regional Radiology Information System (RIS) Project.  My primary responsibility was to design the regional solution that the six lower-north-island DHBs (district health boards) will be using as their RIS.  This position also involved work on integration and infrastructure; and close liaison with stakeholders and vendors to ensure the design was fit-for-purpose.

Central Region's Technical Advisory Services (Central TAS)

Solution Architect

I developed an enterprise portfolio management (EPM) business case for MSD and assisted them to prepare an RFP to EPM vendors.  My other key task was to develop and deliver training on their new IT work management methodology (ITWM) which is a framework for managing all sizes of IT work in this large organisation.  I also worked on a discussion document for EPM implementation and change management.  MSD were very happy with my outputs - especially over such a short time period.

Ministry of Social Development in Wellington, New Zealand

Contract Business Analyst

As a Business and Technology Consultant for COMSMART I helped them deliver high value business and technology solutions for their clients by using my skills in analysis, management, and design; along with a strong emphasis on communication and collaboration. COMSMART is a results focused company based in Wellington and Auckland.

Business and IT Consultant

As a COMSMART Solution Architect working with ACC I have completed a wide range of projects across several different technology stacks.  I have been both a lead and contributing architect - with key parts of my role covering decision making, design, and technical leadership.  I have been a member of the ACC Technical Design Authority for architectural decision making throughout this time.

My work has included storage and server roadmaps; Oracle E-Business Suite upgrade; infrastructure upgrades and virtualisation; procurement; management; solution implementation; online services design and implementation; service monitoring and management; identity and access management (RFP, design, and implementation). Responsibilities on these projects included architectural oversight and design, technical leadership, problem analysis, and issue resolution.

Before changing my role and contract with ACC I worked on improved online services for health providers and employers; email DLP (data loss prevention); and integration. I led the project to handover Splunk to production, while also overseeing the implementation of Splunk monitoring for online portal experiences and email DLP.  I was also assisting with improving digital delivery through DevOps and platform improvements; application architecture; and strategic planning; all of which continued in my new role at ACC.

As an Information Management Consultant for Azimuth I was responsible for the implementation of a new EDRMS at The Correspondence School.  I also performed analysis and design; while working with the organisation to ensure a successful go-live.

The Correspondence School

Project Manager - EDRMS

DBH has implemented an organisation-wide EDRMS (electronic document and records management system) for over 400 staff in their National Office, Services Centre, and Regional locations.

I worked with the project for the majority of the delivery and implementation phase - over eight months in all.  I was involved in nearly every aspect of the project and reported to the project manager.  My role was aimed at ensuring the implementation of the EDRMS would meet end user's needs, was supported by good documentation, and was generally well designed, configured and implemented.  I worked with the vendor, staff, and technical teams to get the best possible result for DBH.  I also took responsibility for proposals and implementation work for 3rd party integration and scanning integration.It was  a very successful project, especially for this type of product roll-out.

Department of Building and Housing

Business Analyst - EDRMS

Business analyst, project manager, designer, developer, trainer: Responsible for identifying opportunities for improving business processes; designing solutions; developing and implementing solutions; and training staff.

I was involved in several diverse work streams, and was project manager for a key project that encompassed business and IT skills.

Tertiary Education Commission

Contractor

Responsibilities included managing blocks of work for the director or other managers, consulting to teams across the organisation to ensure they had not missed important perspectives; analysis of quantitative and qualitative data to inform all levels of decision making; writing and reviewing strategic and operational policy; and advising on IT application design and implementation.

Senior Analyst

Avantgate provides business and technology consulting including business analysis, solution design, and project management.

Avantgate's consulting is aimed at improving processes and developing new solutions to address a wide range of issues.  We leverage technology to create and support solutions that deliver value to a range of organisations.  Avantgate is known for their excellent customer service, professionalism, and creativity.

Matthew Evetts

Matthew Evetts