Expert IT Services
Optimising IT Infrastructure for over 20 Years. Specialising in ITAM.
Consultancy Services
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IT Asset Management (ITAM)
The strategic umbrella. I provide the policy
development, process improvement, and tool implementation that brings your entire hardware and software
estate under control.
SAM
Software Asset Management. Licence compliance, cost optimisation, and vendor negotiation.
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HAM
Hardware Asset Management. Full lifecycle tracking from procurement to secure disposal.
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Secure Estate
Achieving Cyber Essentials Plus through robust Asset Management and patching visibility.
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Technical Delivery
Data Analysis & Reporting
Asset Management is only as good as the data. I build advanced
reporting solutions using PowerBI and Excel to turn raw
inventory data into actionable intelligence.
- Custom ITAM Dashboards (Compliance, Cost, Risk).
- Automated Gap Analysis (Entitlement vs Deployment).
- Executive Reporting for C-Level decision making.
Strategic Project Delivery
I lead complex infrastructure projects that minimise user disruption
while maximising security and performance.
- Windows Upgrades: Managing end-to-end migration for hundreds of endpoints.
- End-of-Life (EOL) Management: Identifying legacy software risks and driving migration to supported alternatives.
AI & Emerging Tech
Leveraging cutting-edge AI tools to enhance productivity and solve
complex problems.
- Generative AI: Advanced proficiency with ChatGPT & Google Gemini.
- Research: Deep-dive analysis using NotebookLM.
- Next-Gen Dev: Building with AI-augmented coding tools like Antigravity.
Knowledge Management
Building scalable “Second Brain” systems to retain information and
drive efficiency.
- Use of Notion: Structured project management and team collaboration.
- Obsidian: Networked note-taking for deep insights.
- Methodology: Turning information overload into actionable knowledge.
About Phil Purnell
From Complexity to Calm
I have worked in technology for over 20 years and I have learned one specific truth. Technology that
isn’t managed properly doesn’t just cost money. It costs time and it creates stress.
My career started in general IT but I quickly realised my strength wasn’t just in fixing computers. It
was in fixing the systems behind them. I found that I had a natural ability to look at a messy estate of
software and see the patterns that others missed.
This led me to Software Asset Management (SAM).
For the last four years I have focused entirely on answering three questions for businesses:
- ✓ What do we have?
- ✓ Is it safe?
- ✓ Do we actually need it?
My Philosophy: Kaizen
I view my role through the lens of Kaizen which is the Japanese philosophy of continuous
improvement. I do not believe in improved efficiency through sudden drastic cuts. I believe in making
small intelligent changes every day that compound into massive results.
Whether it is automating a simple update or removing a risky piece of software my goal is always the
same. I want to simplify the complexity so that the end users around me can do their best work
without IT getting in their way.
I am an Advocate for them. I sit between the rigid rules of compliance and the messy reality of
human behaviour to find a solution that works for everyone.
My Edge: Pattern Recognition
I am neurodivergent and I view this as my greatest professional asset.
My brain is wired for Pattern Recognition. Where others see a spreadsheet of 5,000
confusing rows I see the anomalies and the risks instantly. I have the ability to Hyper-focus on complex
data sets until the problem is solved.
This allows me to bring order to chaos in a way that standard processes often miss. It also makes me
deeply empathetic to the user experience. I know how frustrating it is when technology interrupts your
flow so I fight hard to ensure my IT processes are quiet, seamless, and helpful.
Career Timeline
2025 – Present
SAM Consultant (Contract)
Tony Gee and Partners
Establishing and maturing the SAM function to drive efficiency, visibility, and control across the software lifecycle. Building governance around procurement and designing workflows to simplify operations and reduce risk.
2025 (7 months)
Software Asset Manager (Contract)
Centrica
Supported visibility and control across physical, financial, and contractual software assets for 20,000+ users. Acted as a first line of defence for audit preparedness and enhanced Centrica’s ServiceNow SAM Pro tooling.
2022 – 2025
Software Asset Management Lead
BWB Consulting Ltd
Managed the procurement, renewal, and continuous uplift of a large corporate software portfolio. Conducted data analysis to optimize license allocations, resulting in significant cost savings and robust vendor compliance.
2019 – 2022
Service Desk Manager
Service Transformation: Spearheaded Jira Service
Desk implementation. Integrated ITSM best practices, improved response times and reduced ticket
escalations by 20%.
Knowledge Management: Designed comprehensive knowledge bases and onboarding
frameworks. Reduced repeat support requests by 30% and ensured seamless employee transitions.
2015 – 2019
Senior Support
Focused on fixing the friction between the user
and the technology.
Security Infrastructure: Managed critical security
enhancements including the rollout of Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) and endpoint protection
solutions.
Automation: Developed PowerShell scripts to automate routine infrastructure
tasks which improved efficiency and reduced human error.
2000 – 2015
Early Career in IT Services
Foundational roles in technical support, system administration, and network management. Built the
core knowledge of IT infrastructure that underpins my current Asset Management expertise.
Building Your Asset Management Function
Starting from scratch? It’s just not about buying a tool, it’s about building a culture. Here is the proven
4-phase roadmap I use to take organisations from chaos to compliance.
01
Define Roles & Responsibilities
Ownership is everything. Before we look at software, we look at people. I help
you explicitly define who is responsible for what:
- IT Function: Risk profiling & cost optimization.
- Business Owners: Commercial sign-off.
- Tech Leads: Implementation & validation.
- Subject Matter Experts: The people who know the software.
Without this foundation, no tool can save you.
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Accountability Matrix
02
Establish Core Processes
Don’t let software enter your estate without a path. Build robust JML
(Joiners, Movers, Leavers) processes to ensure:
- Procurement: Address shadow IT.
- Leavers: Immediate license harvesting when staff exit.
- Lifecycle: A clear plan from Procurement to Retire.
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The Lifecycle Loop
03
The Source of Truth
Move away from spreadsheets. Implement centralized tools like ServiceNow,
Snow, or a structured CMDB to create a single, accurate view of:
- Cloud Licenses (M365, Adobe)
- On-Premise Legacy Apps
- Hardware Assets (ECU)
Then run monthly internal audits to match Entitlement (what you bought) vs.
Deployment (what you use).
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Centralized Data
04
Risk & Compliance (CE+)
The payoff. With an accurate inventory, you can now drive the security metrics
that matter:
- Patching: You know what to patch because you know what you have.
- Unauthorized Software: Detected and removed instantly.
- Certifications: Breeze through Cyber Essentials Plus audits.
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Audit Ready
What Clients & Colleagues Say
“
“Phil is more than a licence manager, I believe he is a vital strategic asset. He
helps make any company smarter, faster decisions… Phil’s role is not just valuable – it’s essential.”
Yalda Majdabadi
Senior Account Manager, Causeway
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“His understanding of software systems and licensing was truly comprehensive…
Furthermore, his commercial knowledge was a significant asset… negotiating favorable terms.”
Joshua Dickerson
Deetu
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“Exceptionally competent in managing a comprehensive portfolio… His analytical
skills have been pivotal in optimising software usage… resulting in substantial cost savings.”
Iwan Lloyd-Smith
Director, BWB Consulting
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“I’ve seen firsthand how he managed a portfolio of over 150 software… His
contributions to automation and AI have also stood out… driven by a genuine passion for continuous
improvement.”
Mohsen Heidari
Systems Manager
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“Working with him has significantly improved the vendor review process… ensuring
that software renewals happen in a timely manner. This has not only streamlined operations but also
provided us with better insights.”
Nick Burley
Account Director, FluidOne
Contact Me
Ready to optimize your IT assets? Let’s connect.