1. Charles Finch
Flat 4
Brook House
73 Belsize Road
London
NW6 4AY
07914 261586
finch_cj@hotmail.com
Profile
A confident, efficient and knowledgeable IT professional with technical support experience,
hands-on problem solving ability and database development coupled with, a methodical and
analytical approach to work, as well as excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
Adept at using all Microsoft Office applications as well as a range of computer systems. With
administrative and some project management experience. Able to effectively manage time
and workload, prioritising tasks according to changing requirements.
Currently searching for an opportunity to continue developing skills within an IT focused
position.
REACH Volunteering Aug 1999 - Dec 2008
IT Co-ordinator & IT Manager
 Managed team of 4 IT volunteers across both support and development
 Executed ad hoc queries (Microsoft Access VBA SQL: cross-tab queries)
 Devised login scripts to map Server Networks (re: back-end databases, document
forms etc.) and automatically compact the front-end (client side) Access database
(MDE)
 Supported Microsoft SQL Server 2005 including DTS (Data Transformation Services)
pseudo real-time link between the interactive online (ASP.NET) web-site and the
Access Database back end (Server side)
 IT support provided to complement a small team of volunteers including
troubleshooting PC desktop and printer / network (Ethernet LAN / TCP/IP) problems
 Prototyped with input from users – new systems using Access Database Forms
 Supported the upgraded Microsoft Mail Exchange Server – created / amended new
users etc
 Upgraded the PC desktop Operating Systems using CLONING software to replicate
base changes made by experienced IT Support volunteer
 Configured and supported changes to external users VPN (Virtual Private Network)
client-side VPN connections
 Researched Scanning components (OCX /.COM) utilities and programmed Microsoft
Access front end (client side) database to process the scanning of application forms
just using a standard consumer flat-bed scanner i.e. hiding the complexity for the
volunteer users. This enabled REACH to convert old fashioned paper forms
electronically thus resulting in much needed extra floor space from the redundant file
cabinets
 Liaised with IT suppliers and managed contractors to ensure efficient IT services
delivered
 Interviewed alongside the CEO: potential volunteers and occasional freelance
contractors
 Involved with planning and roll-out of future IT systems, in-house and outsourced
 Worked closely with the Funding / Business Development manager to prepare
funding bids for operational projects with significant IT aspects
 Researched and devised IT policies e.g. Data Protection Act (DPA), Internet & E-mail
and general security aspects: Laptops, USB sticks, VPN, encryption
 Devised IT budgets in conjunction with the Finance manager
 Procured and managed software licensing including the NCVO Select Agreements
(Microsoft discounts for registered charities)

2.  Responsible for governance of IT including organising PAT (Portable Application
Testing)
 Gave occasional ad hoc advice to REACH's clients' (i.e. external Charities / Not For
Profit organisations) re general IT issues / recruitment of volunteers
 Attended external IT events and seminars including NCVO
 Attended SMT (Senior Management Team) meetings covering funding and
operational issues in addition to standard IT aspects
IAPA Oct 1994 –May 1997
Analyst / Programmer
International Airlines Passenger Association & ICLP - International Customer Loyalty
programmes
 Supported IT systems for airline subscriptions and customer loyalty programmes
including insurance, loyalty clubs and marketing campaign statistics
 Programmed in 'Microfocus' Cobol on Unix platforms including setting up the
associated JCL (Job Control Language) file assignments
 Programmed and amended special print programs for producing bespoke loyalty type
cards on special – credit card like – embossing printing machines
 Liaised with line of business (LOB) managers to analyse and specify business
requirements
 Designed technical specifications and programmed in Cobol on Unix platforms
 Devised and executed extensive test plans and technical trouble shooting
 Supervised junior programmers
 Liaised with data entry department to ensure new systems implemented smoothly
and on time
 Devised Unix (Bourne Shell) scripts using AWK / SED to dynamically create in real-
time (i.e. at production runtime) JCL to create individually customised output
packages (e.g. Tape, Floppy Disk or Paper reports) for clients advertising campaigns
 Devised ad-hoc Unix (Bourne Shell) scripts using AWK / SED to manipulate raw
customer loyalty data before standardised processing for the Mass Mailings
department
Honeywell / Bull Information systems Ltd March 1988- May 1994
Analyst & Designer
 Supported and developed in-house IT systems across various business functions:
Tele-sales volume products (Honeywell Express), Warehousing, HR & Training
 Liaised with LOB managers to analyse and specify business requirements
 Designed technical specifications and programmed in Cobol on mini (DPS6) using
Chained databases
 Designed technical specifications and programmed in Cobol mainframe / super
mainframe computer platforms (DPS7/8) using Hierarchical databases
 Amended Honeywell Bull GMAP (assembly language) scripts re customised utilities:
printing and merging / sorting large data sets
 Designed and specified Major update to the Training System to enable it to process
“Dummy Employees” (e.g. Free-lancers, external consultants, Sales staff) that were
not strictly Honeywell Bull employees. The update included a facility to transfer those
“Dummy Employees” that then became Honeywell Bull employees. This project
involved close consultation with the in-house DBA (Data Base Administrator) to
ensure database integrity issues
 Supported and customised HR / Training purchased software 'Expert System'
(Reverse Chaining) package (Peodesy) including amending / adding relational type
database tables / fields, file import / export definitions and creating customised HR /
Training reports
 Programmed changes to merge the Telesales front-end and the Warehouse
(Distribution) Chained Databases – included liaising with Honeywell TAC (Technical

3. Assistance Centre) to apply special customised patches to overcome shared File
Chain numbers
 Developed Unix Bourne scripts using AWK and SED Unix utilities (sub language /
stream editors) to update external data feeds onto the HR / Training Peodesy
database
 Created extensive system documentation including general user training and detailed
operating instructions for the Data Centre operations staff
 Supported the in-house developed Fault Logging and System Handling (FLASH)
software used by the internal IT Division help-desk to manage business users change
requests and faults (bug) reports
 Recorded users bugs and change requests using the in-house developed Fault
Logging and System Handling (FLASH) software
 Analysed and developed file transfer link between HR / Training and Payroll
databases including real-time audit trail of updated transactions (new / updated
employees)
 Drafted Preliminary Analysis specifications in conjunction with the in-house Business
Analysis department
 Supervised “home-worker” and junior IT programmers
 Liaised with external IT software supplier (HR & Training) to specify generic changes
to packaged software to accommodate Bull’s requirements whilst ensuring flexibility
for both BULL and other external users
 Presented Bull at external software User Associations
 Seconded out on several occasions to Honeywell Bull Systems Division external (i.e.
paying) customers for consultancy re DPS6/7 projects
Criterion Insurance Services Limited Sept 1984 – Feb 1988
Programmer & Analyst
 Various roles ranging from trainee computer operator and then junior programmer
through to senior programmer / junior analyst
 Designed technical specifications and programmed in Cobol on Mainframe and Mini
computer platforms (DPS6/7)
 Set-up and amended Job Control Language (JCL) to run applications
 Developed online interactive forms using Honeywell's proprietary 'Screenwrite' on
Mini computers: DPS6 platform
 Developed online forms using TDS (Transaction Driven System) on the mainframe
DPS7 platform
 Devised and executed extensive test plans including configuring special customised
JCL runs
 Liaised with the Computer Operations department re: implementing new systems and
testing after system upgrades
 Supported and maintained the Commissions system for compensating the sales force
– this included complex over-ride commissions (for Area / Regional Managers) and
claw-backs (to encourage good selling practices)
 Liaised with the Branch Accountants in the regional offices re IT issues / changes to
Sales force commissions and Sales forecasting / targets
 Supported and maintained the business critical actuarial (Life Insurance) suites and
liaised with external actuaries (re life expectancy for age next birthday i.e. actuarial
Lx tables) to ensure accuracy of outputs
 Optimised and rewrote the Big actuarial computer programmes to considerably
reduce batch run-times (up to 50 percent) by de-structuring (removing commonly
called atomic modules) and using (i.e. calling) some Fortran routines to do the heavy
number crunching (Lx actuarial functions)
 Created extensive system documentation including general user training and detailed
operating instructions for the computer operations staff
 Devised ad hoc reports using in-house Cobol Report Generator
 Upgraded old batch (tape) systems to modern user on-line (TDS) systems

4.  Customised external software packages to fit business requirements including
Customer mailing databases with personal preferences
Education and Training
2013 City & Guilds ITQ Level 1 for IT users (7574-01)
2004 Microsoft SQL Server course – One week course external training provider in London
1999 Windows NT introduction
1999 Visual Basic – NVQ3
1992 Data Analysis course (Honeywell Bull in-house)
1991 Unix platform introduction (Honeywell Bull in-house)
1982 Cobol Programming TOPS course
1976 3 GCSE Levels: Pure Mathematics, Economics and Statistics
1974 9 GCE O Levels including English & Mathematics
Interests
 I have started exploring Android development and developed an Android application
using fragments that links to Google Maps
 I have recently taken up digital photography
 I like reading (thrillers and modern classics) and listening to music especially Jazz
 I also enjoy relaxing / walking with friends in London parks
 References available on request