James Hirst

digital director

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Personal Profile

Commercial Director of Reading Room

Commercial Director of leading independent digital consultancy, Reading Room. I've been wrangling projects, people and financials over a 16-year digital career.

I work with an amazing team of designers, developers, consultants and strategists, developing new products, services and clients. I make sure that we continue to be known as the UK's most innovative digital consultancy, through product, pitches and P&L.

In addition to the success of Reading Room, my proudest achievements include:

• Dropping out of UCL Law School to build the tech team of a dial-up ISP
• Starting and selling a successful digital agency in London.
• Building an outsourcing business in Slovakia.

What I do

Wrangler of people, projects and electrons

Digital Strategy

I've led strategy development and implementation programmes for a wide range of clients including; Nationwide Building Society, The European Medicines Agency, a leading media law firm and a 500 year-old medical charity.

Service Design

Whether developing a collaboration platform for United Nations aid workers or working with one of the countries largest insurance brands to create new digital only products, I believe in close collaboration with client teams, multi-disciplinary sprint teams and rapid prototyping.

Change Management

The introduction of new technology can be incredibly disruptive, but through close consultation with stakeholders and an understanding of user needs, a programme of communications, training and support can help the tech land effectively. I've launched new technology platforms and services for a wide range of organisations.

Project Management

I have 15 years experience managing digital projects and programmes. From the UK's largest public health campaign to high-street bank digital transformation programmes. As director I manage a team of project managers and consultants. I'm an advocate of agile and devise prorammes of work that match the client culture, whether waterfall or scrum.

Business Development

Experienced account director, working with clients and project teams to drive efficiencies while maximising value of key accounts with major brands and public sector departments. Ensuring our work impacts on the client bottom line so as to develop long term account value.

Pitching & Presenting

I've led successful proposals and pitches of all scales and specialisms, from large corporate implementations, through public sector creative campaigns to European Government frameworks. Equally adept at pitching to C-level executives as tackling RFI's, PQQ's and navigating onerous procurement mechanisms.

Experience

16 years developing digital services, products and campaigns

Reading Room Studio

Founder & Director / London / 2011 - 2015

We launched the business to combine organisational and behavioural insight with the creative application of technology. I built a team of psychologists, designers, consultants and technical experts who design and build innovative products and services for clients of renown.

Reading Room

Project Director / London / 2009 - 2011

Working with leading brands to implement digital strategy, social media projects, governance and campaigns. Combining strategy, design and technology to deliver enterprise level site build, maintenance and marketing campaigns for global clients including government departments, plcs, and third sector organisations.

A4 Internet

Founder & Director / London / 2001 - 2009

Founded in partnership with a Graphic Designer in 2001, A4 Internet is a London-based web hosting company that diversified into web development and e-commerce solutions, opening an overseas off-shoring company in Eastern Europe as a cost-effective way to expand the UK business.

(Between 2000 and 2001, I worked for 3Com and then joined a startup ISP, getting consumers hooked up to the web, at a time when geocities was massive and Apple was a basket case.)