C5 Alliance Jersey has launched details of its commitment to encouraging the new generation of IT leaders with several senior management promotions.

The restructuring initiative, which began in the summer of 2016, identified and cultivated the skills of several individuals who had played an integral role in the development of C5 Alliance, and would continue to play a key part in the future of the business as new generation IT leaders.

The team members being promoted include Gary Stewart, who is being promoted from Director to Managing Director of the Professional Services Division, which accounts for over 60% of C5 Alliance’s business. Gary joined C5 Alliance in 2010 as a Senior Consultant in the Business Intelligence team and played an integral role in the delivery of large-scale regulatory FATCA projects. As a qualified accountant with IT expertise, Gary bridged the gap between the technology and business side of the organisation and progressed to Director of Professional Services. In his new role as Managing Director, he will continue to lead the Professional Services division while focusing on the development of C5 Alliance’s succession plans and strategy for the future.

Cindy Jacobs, a Director of Managed Services will be expanding her role to work alongside Gary Stewart as an adviser to the Professional Services Board. Cindy joined ITEX in 2011, taking on roles focusing on client relationship management and people development. When C5 Alliance acquired ITEX in 2013, Cindy took responsibility for the senior Managed Services technical teams, progressing rapidly to Directorship of the company. In her role as Director, Cindy drives strategy for the division and builds close relationships with some of the C5 Alliance Group’s larger clients. Her responsibilities as a new generation leader will include establishing a mentorship programme to nurture the individual skills of team members and developing plans to enhance overall team performance, which will ultimately add value for C5 clients. 

Antony Allen, is progressing from Director to Managing Director of the Managed Services Division. Antony has a background in both IT and management, with previous experience as an IT Technician, progressing to a Service Desk Manager, supporting 20,000 users across England and Wales for the UK’s National Probation Service. Antony joined ITEX in 2011 as Head of Operations and Service Desk and was brought on as Director of Managed Services of C5 Alliance following the company’s acquisition. Over the last five years, he has been integral to the implementation and development of Managed Services strategy and team development. He has implemented a continual service improvement culture, restructured his team to allow growth, and has been involved in more than 50 promotions. In his new role, Antony will focus on strategic, operational excellence across the Managed Services division, and delivering against financial goals. This will allow individuals to gain a more collaborative view of the business, take on more responsibilities and create more opportunities to progress in the future.

Former Head of HR, Ceri Riddett was appointed Director of HR for the C5 Alliance Group in December 2016 and is currently undertaking the final year of a Masters in Human Resource Management. Ceri gained much of her knowledge and experience of the IT industry through her previous HR role at the Guiton Group, the parent company of ITEX. Ceri joined C5 Alliance in 2013 shortly after the acquisition. As Director of HR, Ceri will work closely with other C5 Directors in both Jersey and Guernsey to ensure HR, talent management and recruitment strategy is delivered across all divisions of the C5 Alliance Group. Her new responsibilities will see her moving away from the day-to-day HR function and developing a new generation HR team in 2017, which will expand alongside the growth of the business.

These management promotions have followed several other fundamental changes to C5 Alliance over the past year, including the establishment of the new Project Delivery Team and the acquisition of Altius (CI), which expanded the company’s business change offering.

Rob Leader, Group Managing Director of C5 Alliance, commented:

“It has been fantastic to watch the development of our new generation IT leaders first hand. These passionate individuals have been key to the growth of our business and worked extremely hard to get to where they are today. I note that all our management promotions over the past two years have been internal; this is because we always strive to promote from within to maximise opportunities across all levels of the business and to contribute to the continued development of our Island’s digital leaders. I see a bright future in our new management team and with their development, I also look forward to seeing the next generation of C5 leaders develop through the company.”