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CIO &  Transformation

IT Director North East
Transformational Leadership Across the Region

Richard Keenlyside is a highly experienced IT Director based in the North East of England, delivering transformative IT and business change across a wide range of industries. With a career spanning over three decades, Richard has built a reputation for driving strategic IT leadership, digital transformation, and operational excellence across professional services, retail, manufacturing, logistics, facilities management, and the public sector.

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He is a trusted interim and fractional CIO, IT Director, and Business Transformation leader—guiding organisations through complex challenges with a sharp focus on technology alignment, cost optimisation, and future-proofing IT strategies.

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IT Director North East (UK)

Strategic IT Leadership in the North East

Based in North Yorkshire, Richard has supported multiple North East-based organisations, from regional retailers and utilities to global manufacturing and engineering firms with a local footprint. His expertise has directly impacted companies by reducing technical debt, improving efficiencies through automation, and delivering scalable IT operating models aligned with corporate strategy.

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Richard's local experience includes delivering IT and data strategy for a regional food and beverage manufacturer, driving automation programmes for a North East utility provider, and advising private equity-backed firms with North East operations.

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Key Achievements as an IT Director in the North East

  • Led regional IT transformation for a North East food and beverage company, integrating retail and wholesale operations through a unified technology stack. Delivered measurable outcomes, including a 29% reduction in late payments and £1.4 million uplift in home delivery turnover.

  • Directed RPA and AI programmes at a leading North East utilities provider, saving over 75,000 hours annually and reducing headcount by 50 FTE.

  • Implemented ERP and cloud migration strategies for multiple North East-based organisations, enabling cost savings and scalable growth.

  • Developed regional cybersecurity strategies, including endpoint security, penetration testing, and outsourced SOC operations.

  • Championed data governance and reporting dashboards, providing real-time operational insights through tools like Power BI.

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Sector Experience in the North East

Richard brings sector-agnostic capabilities, with deep domain experience across:

  • Retail & eCommerce

  • Utilities & Infrastructure

  • Manufacturing & Engineering

  • Logistics & Transport

  • Telecommunications & IT Services

  • Private Equity Advisory

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This breadth of knowledge enables Richard to deliver tailored IT strategies that address industry-specific challenges while ensuring regulatory compliance and strategic fit.

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Services Offered

Fractional & Interim IT Leadership

  • Providing short to medium-term leadership during periods of change, M&A, or organisational restructuring.

IT Strategy & Digital Transformation

  • Aligning technology with business goals, delivering cloud migration, data strategies, and scalable IT operating models.

Cybersecurity & Risk Management

  • Designing and implementing comprehensive security frameworks, risk governance, and compliance programmes.

Automation & AI Integration

  • Utilising AI and RPA to streamline operations, enhance reporting, and reduce manual effort.

ERP & Data Modernisation

  • Implementing and optimising systems such as SAP S/4HANA, Oracle Fusion, Microsoft Dynamics, and NetSuite.

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Why Choose Richard Keenlyside as Your IT Director in the North East?

  • 34+ Years of Leadership in IT and business transformation.

  • Proven track record across regional and global organisations.

  • Deep understanding of the North East business landscape.

  • Cost optimisation achievements of over £20M in vendor savings.

  • Thought leadership in AI, automation, data strategy, and cybersecurity.

  • Exceptional stakeholder engagement and board-level influence.

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Testimonials

"Richard’s strategic vision transformed our technology roadmap and aligned it with our business growth. His insight into North East operations added real local value." — COO, Food Manufacturing.

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"Thanks to Richard, we implemented a secure and scalable IT infrastructure that’s set to support us for years." — CTO, Utilities Sector.

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IT Director North East | Richard Keenlyside | CIO & Transformation Leader

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