Alex Benstead

Background

About Alex Benstead

Having worked my way from Graphics Technician with pen and drawing board to Enterprise GIS Manager, my mission has been steering and modernising the geospatial strategic direction for Lee Valley Regional Park Authority for the last two decades. The essence of my work lies in designing and cultivating, robust Enterprise wide GIS systems, evidenced by orchestrating a comprehensive service review, which modernized and future proofed our corporate GIS. This initiative, underpinned by ESRI technology, has propelled us into a future-ready state.Our team's commitment to customer first excellence and innovation transcends mere technical support and day to day management; we have fostered a thriving community of over 250 internal and 150 external stakeholders, harmoniously bridging diverse sectors in the field of land regeneration and the Environment. This collaborative geospatial ecosystem based solely in a web service/ cloud environment is the bedrock upon which we design and construct transformative geospatial applications, data analysis and business intelligence projects, driving efficiency across our stakeholder community across London, Hertfordshire, and Essex.Our solution is currently based on the ESRI ArcGIS Online platform along with a number of ArcGIS Pro desktop licences using a 100% web service approach for all of its data and content. Previously our solution was an ArcGIS Enterprise and Pro web service solution based solely in the Amazon AWS Cloud. This was achieved with the support of a ESRI UK Managed Service Contract, fulfilling Cloud and Server admin roles. Prior to this my employer used Cadcorp in a fully physical server environment. In all three cases I have been responsible for all aspects of the design, implementation, daily operation and development of my employers use of all things geospatial including software, staff, data, apps and its operation from inception and birth to retirement. This has been at both a strategic organisation wide level, acting as sole technical lead; and a day to day level.I am seeking new challenges and opportunities to expand my knowledge and grow as a geospatial professional. I am particularly interested in system design and consultancy roles that offer me variety and allow me to interact with users, current and potential, to devise and implement geospatial solutions that use the latest technology, data and best practices that most importantly become well used and valued tools by their final user/s.I am only interested in permanent opportunities and am based in London.