Matt Woollett

Executive Technology Leader

Calm authority for complex technology decisions.

Matt Woollett is an interim and fractional technology executive for healthcare, diagnostics, higher education and other regulated organisations — bringing 25 years of IT experience and 15+ years of leadership to boards, executive teams and technical teams alike.

Book a conversationCurrent engagements
Interim CIO
Interim CISO
Interim IT & Digital Transformation Director
Fractional Technology Leader
Technology Director
Digital Transformation Director
Portrait of Matt Woollett
Winslow, England · UKAvailable UK & EMEA

Executive Summary

A senior technology executive for regulated environments.

Technology and transformation leader with 15+ years delivering change in healthcare and other regulated environments, underpinned by a 25-year IT career spanning the NHS, private equity–backed organisations and global corporates including Sysmex and Mirus IT Solutions.

Typically engaged in complex, high-pressure situations where regulatory scrutiny, cyber security and AI governance must be balanced against pace and commercial delivery. Operates comfortably at Director and C-suite level, translating technical and regulatory complexity into clear, actionable decisions for boards, executives and technical teams.

A grounded, people-first leader who combines strategic leadership with genuine technical depth. Equally comfortable advising boards, leading transformation programmes or working directly with technical teams — bringing clarity, trust and measurable outcomes across people, process and technology.

HealthcareDiagnostics & MedTechHigher EducationPrivate Equity–backed scale-upsRegulated & Public Sector

Signature Metrics

Outcomes that matter to boards, CEOs and CFOs.

Numbers drawn from delivered engagements across healthcare, diagnostics, higher education and regulated organisations.

  • 25+
    years IT career
  • 15+
    years leadership in regulated environments
  • 33
    countries aligned through EMEA transformation
  • 3,500+
    users impacted
  • £250k
    annual savings via centralised IT model
  • €500k
    saving via Microsoft contract negotiation
  • 800k+
    vulnerabilities removed via endpoint transformation
  • 1,000+
    stakeholders trained in cyber awareness
  • 75%
    operational backlog reduction
  • 12–15%
    recurring IT cost optimisation

Areas of Expertise

Where I create leverage for executive teams.

Six capability pillars, developed across two decades of hands-on technology leadership.

01

Digital & IT Strategy

Setting technology direction that measurably supports commercial and clinical outcomes across regulated organisations.

02

Cyber Security, Risk & Compliance

ISO 27001, Cyber Essentials Plus, PCI DSS and CIS alignment; pragmatic controls, embedded practice, zero non-conformances over five years at Sysmex. Business continuity and organisational resilience programmes aligned with ISO 22301 good practice.

03

AI Governance & Adoption

AI governance frameworks aligned to ISO 42001, UK GDPR and ICO guidance — controlled, auditable and defensible adoption.

04

Digital Transformation & Operating Model

Restructuring, centralisation and blueprinting — turning fragmented IT estates into scalable, consistent, board-credible functions.

05

IT Cost Optimisation & Vendor Strategy

Consistent double-digit savings through vendor renegotiation, platform rationalisation and lifecycle discipline.

06

Infrastructure, Cloud & End-User

Microsoft Intune / Autopilot, RMM and SOC uplift — modern, secure, low-friction environments for hybrid workforces.

Current Portfolio

Live interim & fractional engagements.

Ongoing assignments — described in accurate, measured language.

BIVDA

Fractional Head of Digital Strategy

Mar 2025 – Present

Digital strategy, AI adoption and membership platform transformation.

BIVDA represents the UK's in-vitro diagnostics industry, advocating for members, shaping healthcare policy and promoting innovation in diagnostic technologies.

  • Delivering a full IT consultancy engagement covering stability, security, infrastructure and governance.
  • Conducted audits and implemented lifecycle and business continuity policies; enhanced cyber security through vulnerability management and new IT security frameworks.
  • Achieved 12% IT investment saving through vendor optimisation and infrastructure alignment.
  • Leading delivery of a new CRM membership platform and website platform overhaul.
  • Conducted an AI capability and value assessment that accelerated analysis timelines from weeks to days.

University of Buckingham

Interim CISO

Oct 2025 – Present

Cyber maturity, governance, CE+ and organisational resilience.

An independent UK university recognised for its high teaching standards, small class sizes and accelerated degree programmes. Engaged by the Director of Digital Transformation to mature the University's cyber security posture and deliver Cyber Essentials Plus.

  • Leading delivery of Cyber Essentials Plus and maturity uplift across the cyber programme.
  • Enhancing asset and vulnerability management, system hardening and IAM.
  • Aligning to ISO 27001, CE+ and PCI DSS; strengthening business continuity and organisational resilience aligned to ISO 22301 principles.
  • Improving incident response and SOC capability; embedding sustainable security practice across teams.

University of Buckingham

Interim IT Manager

Jul 2025 – Oct 2025

Appointed by the CFO to stabilise the IT department following rapid staff turnover.

  • Provided immediate leadership and structure, defining roles and responsibilities.
  • Addressed key operational and cyber security risks; re-established governance across service management and project delivery.
  • Delivered vendor renegotiations, accelerated the Windows 10 → 11 upgrade, and optimised NinjaRMM to realise its intended efficiency and visibility benefits.

QuidelOrtho

IT & Middleware Strategy Consultant

Oct 2025 – Present

Middleware strategy, customer value proposition and operating model design.

QuidelOrtho is a global leader in in-vitro diagnostics. Engaged by the Head of Sales to assess and strengthen scientific IT and middleware capability within the UK market.

  • Defining and embedding a clear middleware value proposition across pre- and post-sales, including sales training, competitive analysis and tender cost-modelling.
  • Designing policies and processes to improve remote access, customer follow-up and post-implementation support.
  • Assessing current IT capacity, capability and structure; recommending optimised headcount, skills and team design.

Career History

25 years of progression through hands-on to executive.

A grounded chronology — from NHS technician to Director of Technology and interim executive.

  1. Interim IT & Digital Transformation Director

    Mar 2025 – Present

    Independent — ClearHorizon IT Ltd

    • Delivering interim and fractional technology leadership across healthcare, diagnostics and higher education — stabilising environments, strengthening cyber posture and aligning technology to business direction.
    • Restructured IT functions across multiple organisations, establishing clear operating models to improve performance, accountability and resilience.
    • Delivered ISO 27001 and CE+ aligned maturity uplift through pragmatic controls and embedded operational practice; supported business continuity and resilience improvements aligned to ISO 22301 principles.
    • Realised measurable cost and efficiency gains through vendor optimisation, platform alignment and automation.

  2. Director of Technology

    Sept 2022 – Mar 2025

    Sysmex UK Ltd

    Concurrent EMEA remit as Workplace Manager & Regional IT Lead, North & East Europe (Sept 2023 – Sept 2024).

    • Defined and executed a unified technology strategy bridging scientific and corporate IT, aligning previously siloed functions into a single operating model.
    • Led enterprise-wide cyber security and infrastructure transformation, defending the organisation while 29 peer countries were impacted by a major cyber incident.
    • Established AI governance and automation frameworks aligned to ISO 42001, UK GDPR and ICO guidance.
    • Designed and built EMEA-wide Security Operations capability, maturing a fragmented landscape into a consistent, scalable model.
    • Led IT transformation across 33 countries, establishing the UK as the gold-standard blueprint for service, lifecycle and endpoint management.
    • Reduced operational backlog by 75% and delivered €500k saving through Microsoft contract negotiation.

  3. IT Manager

    Jan 2019 – Sept 2022

    Sysmex UK Ltd

    • Transformed a poorly perceived IT function into the highest-performing department in the organisation — shifting from reactive firefighting to proactive, value-driven delivery.
    • Achieved ISO 27001 and Cyber Essentials Plus compliance with multiple zero non-conformances over five years.
    • Introduced automation through RMM and Microsoft Intune / Autopilot, cutting resource demand by more than 50% and removing 800,000+ vulnerabilities.
    • Re-engineered IT cost control across a £2m local budget and multi-million EMEA budget, securing over 15% savings year on year while supporting growth.

  4. Product IT Manager

    Jan 2016 – Jan 2019

    Sysmex UK Ltd

    • Managed the lifecycle of complex haematology and haemostasis systems.
    • Implemented pre- and post-sales training and proof-of-value models to develop cost accuracy of middleware solutions and strengthen USPs.
    • Delivered an EMEA-adopted licence management model, streamlining software delivery across Sysmex and its distributors.

  5. IT Product Specialist

    Jan 2015 – Jan 2016

    Sysmex UK Ltd

    • Sysmex's first pure IT professional trained in the science — reversing the traditional model of scientists learning IT.
    • Bridged laboratory systems and digital infrastructure, rapidly improving diagnostic connectivity and data reliability.
    • Awarded by Sysmex Global (Japan) for designing and delivering a new clinical-wide backup system.

  6. Senior Technical Roles (promoted 3 times)

    Jan 2010 – Jan 2015

    Mirus IT Solutions

    • Progressed from 2nd Line Engineer to Senior 3rd Line on-site support for VIP private equity and investment fund management clients, across VMware, Cisco and enterprise infrastructure.
    • Designed and implemented data-centre migrations and DR solutions; recognised for consistent on-time project delivery.
    • Managed a critical incident involving a fire in the core communications room — activating DR procedures under pressure to preserve business operations and data integrity.

  7. Various Technical / Lead / Project Roles

    Jan 2007 – Jan 2010

    NHS

    • Progressed rapidly from Band 4 to Band 6 project and technical lead.
    • Recognised across the trust as a reliable technical resource for escalations and customer issues.
    • Led the technical delivery of the clinical Choose & Book platform across Milton Keynes and Buckinghamshire.

Testimonials

Attributed reflections from colleagues and clients.

Named testimonials from those who've worked alongside Matt, alongside recurring themes from wider LinkedIn feedback.

Matt is an IT expert and visionary who can swiftly turn visions and plans into reality. What had not worked for many years, Matt managed to fix or introduce new services within weeks.
Petr Bem— Service Manager, Sysmex
What always stood out was Matt's ability to find new solutions to old problems. His approach is both imaginative and grounded — he doesn't just theorise but rolls up his sleeves to ensure ideas translate into real outcomes.
Ken Turner— Chief Operating Officer, Sysmex
Matt identified business opportunities, such as obtaining Cyber Essentials Plus, and was able to simplify the challenges through his can-do attitude. He will often challenge existing processes, recommend new ways of working and introduce automation where possible.
Calum Risk— Security Engineer, Service Express

Recurring themes from LinkedIn feedback

  • Consistently turns strategy into delivery at pace — resolving long-standing issues quickly and delivering outcomes where previous approaches had stalled.
  • Rare blend of strategic thinking and hands-on execution — aligning technology to business goals while ensuring solutions are embedded, adopted and deliver measurable impact.
  • Leads with clarity, trust and collaboration — simplifying complex technical challenges and building strong, high-performing teams across all levels of the organisation.

Certifications & Education

Credentials that anchor the practice.

  • CISSP — Certified Information Systems Security Professional
  • ISO 42001 Lead Implementer — AI Management Systems
  • PRINCE2 Foundation
  • ITIL v3
  • ILM Level 3 Leadership & Management
  • BSc (Hons) IT & Business (2:1), Open University
  • HND Computing

Contact

Direct enquiries from search firms, boards and executive teams.

For interim, fractional or advisory engagements across healthcare, diagnostics, higher education and regulated organisations.

Email Matt directlyConnect on LinkedIn
Location
Winslow, England, UK
Availability
Interim, fractional & advisory | Open to selected permanent roles