References
Here are a selection of references for Michelle Johnson. If you require further details please get in touch at enquiries@arcogean.co.uk
Role: Customer Services Systems and Strategy Manager - Michelle came to the workplace like a breath of fresh air. At a time of the discomfort of a restructure, she brought with her an injection of confidence and positivity which spread throughout the team. She listened to each point of view and took them on board whilst staying strong with a future she envisioned.
She was hardworking and greatly motivational, uniting people to get the job done. She brought new ideas that were taken on board quickly. Her strong leadership evoked confidence in her ability straight away. Michelle led the team in negotiating with software suppliers to improve their failing system, and manipulate it to work in a way more specific to our needs. She was dynamic in improving our system and the data it held. Michelle is both altruistic and yet professional, strong and yet understanding, and is not only liked, but most importantly respected. Direct Report, Rugby BC
Role: Corporate Systems Manager - I worked with Michelle when she was managing the Systems team at Bracknell Forest Council. I found her to be hard-working, enthusiastic and always had a positive attitude. She is a really good communicator and team-player, always motivated, and quickly won the respect of everyone in the department. Michelle also worked well with people at all levels outside of the department, and efficiently managed service and project issues. Michelle was particularly helpful with our PSN accreditation programme, keeping her staff focused on the important issues that needed to be addressed and helping them believe we could achieve what we needed to do (we did!) I would not hesitate to recommend Michelle to anyone and I look forward to the opportunity of working with her again. Peer Manager, Bracknell Forest Council
Role: Customer Services Systems and Strategy Manager - I first met Michelle when she joined Rugby Borough Council as Customer Services Systems and Strategy Manager in 2010. This was during a time of major reorganisation and it was quite a disruptive and challenging period. Michelle came in and hit the ground running. Within a very short space of time she became pivotal to the success of the new teams. Michelle brought new ways of dealing with old problems, she used a great mixture of enthusiasm, intelligence and professionalism. As she was my fourth manager in two years I was resistant, until Michelle quickly proved that she backed up everything she proposed with positive actions. Michelle has an ability to clearly see the problems that need addressing, yet has the tact of a member of the Diplomatic Service to break down existing barriers and make everyone work in unison. I can honestly say I learnt a lot and I enjoyed working with Michelle. She is easily the best manager I have ever had. Direct Report. Team Leader at Rugby BC.
Role: Service Delivery Manager - I feel very lucky to have worked with Michelle albeit for a very short time. What I have learnt in this time is that Michelle is an excellent Project/Delivery Manager who commands respect from all those who she works with. Michelle is incredibly organised and an excellent communicator all of which she makes look very easy. Michelle's documentation and level of detail is incredible which make project handovers very straight forward and logical. I regret that I have not been able to work with Michelle for longer, but she will be an incredible asset for whichever organisation she works for. Peer at NFUM
Role: Partnership Manager (Shared IT Systems)
I had the pleasure of working with Michelle when she managed the Staffordshire Connects Partnership. During this time Michelle successfully delivered a wide ranging programme of work across 10 Local Authorities and became an invaluable and trusted member of the team with a reputation for delivering on time and budget.
Michelle has excellent interpersonal skills and quickly earnt the respect of those she worked with. Michelle created a strong team and her enthusiasm combined with an infectious positive attitude towards delivery helped ensure those working with Michelle were fully engaged and keen to deliver to the same high standards (even when things were not straight forward). Projects always have issues but Michelle would always find solutions and ensure delivery was maintained.
Michelle’s communication skills are exemplary she is clear, concise and able to translate complex technical information into an accessible format for those that are less technical.
Michelle is an asset to any team and I would not hesitate in recommending her for any project management / IT management role. Line Manager, Staffordshire Connects.
Role: IT Engagement Consultant - Despite being a late joiner, Michelle threw herself into the role. Although she had one of the highest number of authorities allocated to her, she manged her workload professionally and efficiently as borne out by the successful completion of requirements within the region. Her commitment to achieving the objectives of the programme has been commendable. Her thoroughly professional approach, coupled with her personal skill won her allies. Not to forget sheer determination and perseverance.
Michelle performed exceedingly well in supporting the local authorities – her sound technical grounding and understanding of the requirements ensured that the best possible data was gathered from the authorities. She has offered authorities additional advice and guidance over and beyond the remit of the programme.
Homeworking requires self-discipline and motivation and Michelle displayed both these strengths. She has been a very important player in really developing a consolidated and motivated team. Michelle has also been very generous in providing technical and personal support to other members of the team. Line Manager, Direct Gov. Department for Communities and Local Government
Role: IT Engagement and IT Security Consultant - I worked directly with Michelle for 3 years and she has the attributes of both a valued leader and a team player. I would have no hesitation of working with her again on any task in the future – a true asset to any organisation. Co-worker, GCSX
Role: IT Engagement and IT Security Consultant - Michelle is focused, delivers and is a great negotiator through the complexities of local and central government. I hope our paths cross again some day. CEO at Network Provider
Role: Senior IT Project Manager -
I had the pleasure of working with Michelle for two and a half years, when she took over as Project Manager on a joint Fire & Rescue project. This was a challenging IT project and encompassed implementation of a joint, critical mobilising system, for two Fire & Rescue Services, which included associated business rules/ways of working. My interaction with Michelle was in the role of Control Room Commander / Senior end user.
Michelle has an excellent work ethic and ‘can do’ attitude, going above and beyond to meet deadlines (often staying late/working weekends). She produces a high volume of work while consistently maintaining high standards for quality and accuracy. Michelle is articulate and has excellent communication skills – essential when providing concise comprehensive reports regarding each phase of the Project to all stakeholders (end users; Senior Managers; supplier).
Michelle has strong interpersonal skills and is able to skilfully motivate and engage all stakeholders (no mean feat given the scale and complexity of the Project and with key personnel being split across two Counties), this ability has earned her the respect and admiration of all involved in the Project.
Michelle has been the most professional, enabling and supportive Project Manager I have had the pleasure to work with. I recommend her without reservation, she will be a tremendous asset to any Company. Fire and Rescue Control Room Commander
Role: IT Engagement and IT Security Consultant - Michelle established excellent relations and maintained these throughout a difficult programme restructure. She is a very well respected by her colleagues both within the programme team and in the local authority community. Michelle’s achievements included the West Midlands region being the first to achieve 100% submissions for formal assessment by the central team. Michelle is extremely committed and driven to complete every task / role that she is asked, and always offer more. We found her to be very reliable, works independently and is a trusted home worker. Michelle further exceeded expectations by taking on a new role and skills in a security advisory role, which reflected her flexible approach to her job and her willingness and personal drive to learn new skills and to consistently achieve the highest standards. Commercial Manager, Government Connect, Department for Work and Pensions
Role: IT Transformation Manager - Michelle was very good to work with, and explained things really well in plain English, with no technical jargon. Always appreciating the user's needs and viewpoint - not at all common with ICT professionals. Local Authority Head of Marketing & Communications
Role: IT Engagement and IT Security Consultant - Michelle is an extremely committed individual who is extremely well connected, especially in the West Midlands. Manger at DCLG