About
Quick Overview
- 🏆 Scaled software development organization over 500%
- 🔒 Achieved ISO 27001 certification in 24 months
- ☁️ Managing HA systems servicing over 1M IoT devices
- 🎯 M.IT, CCISO, TOGAF® certified technology leader
Philip de Kock
Results-driven with proven expertise in scaling technology organizations and driving digital transformation in IoT-enabled businesses. Successfully built and led a global software development team, delivering enterprise-grade solutions supporting hundreds of thousands of connected devices with daily interactions, leading to lucrative venture capital investment.
Key Achievements & Responsibilities
Organizational Leadership & Growth
- Scaled software development organization over 500% while maintaining operational excellence across global teams
- Implemented comprehensive mentorship and performance management programs for highly technical staff spanning mechanical, software, and electronic engineering disciplines
- Led cross-functional coordination including second-line support operations and vendor management initiatives
Security & Compliance Excellence
- Led multi-standard compliance initiative achieving ISO 27001, GDPR, and POPIA/PAIA certifications within 24 months
- Established comprehensive information security controls framework across global operations
- Implemented enterprise-wide data protection and regulatory compliance programs ensuring adherence to international privacy standards
Technology & Infrastructure
- Architected and deployed cloud infrastructure solutions supporting massive IoT device connectivity
- Successfully modernized legacy platform architecture while maintaining business continuity
- Implemented AI innovation initiatives creating enhanced visibility across multi-disciplinary engineering teams
- Led comprehensive technology stack and tools renewal programs
Strategic Operations & Governance
- Developed and executed comprehensive technical roadmap aligning business priorities with organizational objectives
- Established scalable organizational structure eliminating single points of failure and key person dependencies
- Implemented integrating security best practices throughout the development lifecycle
- Instituted software quality governance frameworks and regulatory compliance protocols
- Managed full project and programme portfolio including budget oversight and resource allocation
Academic Qualifications
Masters in Information Technology Management (M.IT)
University of Pretoria, 2012 – 2013
Bachelor of Commerce Honours Informatics (B. Com Hons. Informatics)
University of Pretoria, 2005
Bachelor of Commerce Informatics (B. Com Informatics)
University of Pretoria, 2002 - 2004
Certifications
- CCISO: Certified Chief Information Security Officer (EC-Council)
- TOGAF® CERTIFIED: TOGAF® 9 Certified License 473385 - Level 1 & 2
- ITIL Certified: ITIL Foundation Certified: Axelos 2019
- CSM: Certified SCRUM Master - International SCRUM Institute
- MCP: Microsoft Certified Professional MS: Programming in C# & ASP.NET MVC
- CSCP: Certified Supply Chain Professional - SAPICS, 2009
- Schuitema Care & Growth: Leadership Program
- IBM Certified: BPM Application Developer - v8.5.7
Skills
Leadership & Strategy: Digital Transformation; Technology Strategy; Organizational Development; Change Management; Strategic Roadmap Development; Business-IT Alignment; Innovation Management; Stakeholder Management; Executive Leadership; Cross-functional Leadership
Information Security & Compliance: ISO 27001; GDPR; POPIA/PAIA; CCISO; Information Security; Cybersecurity; Risk Management; Governance Risk Compliance (GRC); Data Protection; Privacy; Security Controls; Vulnerability Management; Security Architecture
Enterprise Architecture & Technology: TOGAF; Enterprise Architecture; Solution Architecture; Cloud Computing; Microsoft Azure; AWS; DevSecOps; Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment (CI/CD); Microservices; SOA; API Management; Infrastructure as Code; Automation
Development & Operations: Microsoft .NET; C#; ASP.NET MVC; Agile; Scrum; ITIL; DevOps; Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC); Quality Assurance; Test Automation; Performance Management; Monitoring & Observability
Project & Program Management: Program Management; Portfolio Management; Project Management Office (PMO); Waterfall; Agile/Scrum; Budget Management; Resource Planning; Vendor Management; Contract Management; SLA Management; Delivery Management
Industry Expertise: IoT; Telematics; Financial Services; Supply Chain; Logistics; Fintech; Tracking Devices; Connected Devices; Real-time Systems; Regulatory Compliance; Enterprise Software
Experience
Group Software Manager
DIGITAL MATTER | Oct 2020 – Present
Started as Software Manager (Ex-Co) in 2020 and appointed to Group Software Manager in 2023
- Built a team from 2 to 13 globally
- ISO certification from inception in 24 months globally
- Managing information security across a global organisation
- Running operations for HA systems servicing over 1m devices
- Coordination of second line support, vendor management and managing local and cloud infrastructure
- Financial management including budgeting and costing
- Coordinating and driving projects and programmes
- Rebuilt legacy platforms successfully, and implemented continuous renewal initiatives
- Established and implemented mentorship and performance management programs
- Managing highly technical staff including mechanical, software and electronic engineers
- Overseen technology and tools renewal in businesses
- Deploying and implementing AI innovation
- Creating visibility across the business
Senior Manager: Client Relations and Project Delivery
DIGIATA | May 2016 – Sep 2020
Consulted at clients in the financial services industry, leading teams on implementation projects for enterprise software solutions. Ensuring effective project management, robust solutions, and quality delivery through a team of highly skilled engineers. Working with leadership to continually identify and implement process improvements while providing transparency and visibility. Implementing and executing on performance management, coaching, and training of a growing team. Project scoping, costing, forecasting, estimation and resource planning and management. Maintain and build strong client relationships and network for new business opportunities.
- The turnaround of an extremely challenged project by leading a team of software implementers on a continuous improvement journey
- Established a robust environment by introducing controlled repeatable and mature processes conducive to increasing predictability and quality delivery
- Introduced and implemented test automation that allowed the team to gain confidence in development efforts while advocating and coaching on best practices and good design
Senior Consultant
IDS CONSULTANTS | Aug 2015 – Apr 2016
Consulting at clients in the financial services industry. Implementing or redesigning existing solutions to align with strategic organizational objectives.
- Delivery of solutions spanning the full stack of technologies in a cross-functional environment in conjunction with managing stakeholders and championing Agile values
- Liaised with remote 3rd party vendors as well as internal client resources to align tactical operations to strategic business objectives
- Analysis and design value adding solutions in a SOA architectural style
- Introduced and coached the team around quality metrics, build automation and continuous delivery as well as managed supporting infrastructure
- Promoting Agile values in a collaborative environment enabling buy-in from stakeholders
Senior Software Engineer
ASHBURTON INVESTMENTS (FIRST RAND GROUP) | Feb 2015 – Aug 2015
Responsible for the delivery of solutions for tactical business objectives. Implemented industry best practices in continuous delivery for an online financial services securities platform.
- Introduced quality improvements with automated tests
- Ensure robust mature processes were instituted for the delivery of production functionality
- Implemented a data quality management and continuous monitoring solution
Senior Team Lead
BUSINESS SYSTEMS GROUP (BSG) | Feb 2012 – Jan 2015
Consulting in the financial services industry, leading a team of 6 on implementation projects for enterprise-wide backend software solutions. Design and delivery of value-adding solutions. Established robust processes in solution design and implementation within a Scrum environment through a team of highly skilled individuals that enabled improvement in the quality of delivery.
- Assumed the regional management responsibilities of 12 people in an acting capacity alongside providing technical leadership in delivery
- Recognized for leadership and delivery execution
- Built an effective team constituted of blended client and consulting resources, coached on Agile values and best practices
- Performance management and career development of direct reports in conjunction with the recruitment of new resources
- Managing collaborative solution design as well as a 3rd party client vendor
Senior Software Engineer
BARLOWORLD SUPPLY CHAIN SOFTWARE | Feb 2007 - Jan 2012
Ascended to senior software developer while delivering software in the supply chain, and inventory optimization domains in addition to ad-hoc software in data visualization, dynamic business rules engine, multi-platform deployment packages as well as a centralized licensing platform.
- Assumed Team Lead responsibilities as and when required
- Delivered quality, maintainable software applying reusable design patterns against coding standards within deadlines
- Implementation of a robust automated delivery process
- Engaged with stakeholders in a cross functional environment for the purpose of requirement solicitation, analysis, and solution design
- Showcase software functionality to stakeholders and research new technologies to produce proof of concept applications
Programmer
ALEXANDER FORBES COMPENSATION TECHNOLOGIES | Jul 2005 - Jan 2007
Developing web-based and desktop applications in the Microsoft technology stack. Responsibilities included software development, database design and maintenance and client support.