40 Years of IT Development
and Project Delivery Experience

Central Government Large Scale Digital Transformation & Data Migration Programme

Client: Central Government Department Service Provided: Data Migration & Knowledge and Information Management (KIM) Background A central government client embarked on a major digital transformation initiative aimed at modernising how information is stored, accessed, and governed across the organisation. Historically, teams relied on traditional network drives with deeply nested folder structures and decades of accumulated content. As part of the move towards a modern Microsoft 365 environment, the client required experienced KIM and data migration specialists to support the transition from legacy storage to SharePoint Online. The goal was not only to migrate content but also to improve information governance, user experience, and long‑term operational efficiency. Certes IT KIM specialists were engaged to provide hands‑on expertise in data migration, metadata creation, tagging, archiving, and change support.

Creating a New IT Operations Centre for a University

Situation/Requirements:​ The University of Manchester embarked on a major transformation programme to strengthen the resilience, availability, and operational maturity of its IT services. As part of the Evolve – Infrastructure programme, the University needed to establish a brand‑new IT Operations Centre (ITOC) capable of providing 24/7, 365‑day support for a complex and diverse infrastructure estate. With an immovable deadline and a highly constrained labour market, the University partnered with Certes IT Recruitment to rapidly deploy experienced contractors who could stabilise operations immediately, while giving the hiring manager the time and space required to build a high‑performing permanent team around them.

How AI-Powered Data Classification changed everything

A central government ministerial department's decision-making was hindered by the absence of a reliable, automated way to classify and manage unstructured data. Sensitive information was dispersed across systems without metadata or security markings, raising compliance and security risks.  Manual processes were slow, inconsistent, and resource-heavy, delaying responses to FOI requests, Parliamentary Questions, and legal proceedings. Our client needed an AI-powered, in-place classification solution that worked within strict Defence security requirements and existing governance frameworks, without requiring data migration or intrusive agents. 

Development and Implementation of Digital Sensitivity Review

For decades, our central government client managed sensitivity reviews through a manual, paper-based process. Physical files were reviewed and redacted before being transferred to The National Archives (TNA), resulting in a 30-year turnaround due to the labour-intensive nature of the work.  With the growing volume of digital records, they launched the Digital Sensitivity Review Programme. This initiative brought together multiple internal and external stakeholders, leveraging a containerised hosting platform and an AI-driven software application to modernise the review process. 

IT Service Transformation at LRG

Background  LRG is one of the UK’s largest and fastest-growing property services organisations, with a wide network of estate and letting agencies. As the business continued to scale, LRG recognised the importance of evolving its IT capabilities to ensure long-term efficiency, resilience, and customer-centric service delivery. Certes was engaged to help shape and accelerate this transformation. 

Embedding ‘Secure by Design’ within a Trading Fund Government Department

Background  In support of the UK government’s evolving cybersecurity strategy, the Trading Fund Government Department has initiated the implementation of a critical cultural and operational shift: the adoption of the Secure by Design framework. This effort aligns with wider mandates from the Government Digital Service (GDS), requiring all new digital projects to embed security principles at every stage of their lifecycle.  To support the rollout of this mandated transformation, Certes IT Service Solutions deployed their Delivery Manager and Portfolio Management Service, to work alongside the department as part of a dedicated delivery team. With prior experience in structured operational environments, they joined a small embedded team to help guide the organisation through a complex organisational shift. 

London Borough of Camden Case Studies

Transforming Master Data Management at London Borough of Camden

Master Data Management plays a vital role in centralising and managing an organisation’s critical data assets. This case study focuses on how Data Architecture was used to address the challenges faced by the London Borough of Camden and how Certes implemented a robust Master Data Management solution. The objective was to transition from a limited “Registry” implementation to a comprehensive “Coexistence” model, enabling the London Borough of Camden to share and manage its master data more efficiently.

Problem Statement:

The London Borough of Camden’s existing IBM Master Data Management implementation was deemed inadequate due to its limited functionality and inability to address the organisation’s evolving data management needs. The company faced issues with incomplete and inconsistent master data scattered across multiple siloed applications. The goal was to create a centralised system for managing and sharing the London Borough of Camden’s master data, improving data quality and integrity.

MHRA Case Studies

Delivering Architecture-as-a-Service and Information Security Services for MHRA

Introduction

The MHRA’s Strategy & Architecture team within the Technology, Digital, Data & Delivery division sought Architecture-as-a-Service and Information Security services to support their portfolio of change initiatives. The services aimed to provide high-level deliverables, including architectural and technical roadmaps, data architecture support, solution options papers, impact and benefits analysis and overhaul of the existing enterprise architecture repository. Seamless application integrations, collaboration with stakeholders and vendors and delivering Information Security services were also key objectives.

Integration Methodology and Onboarding

To ensure successful integration, our Enterprise, Data and Security Architects prioritised building strong relationships with the existing architecture team. They familiarised themselves with Agency tools, approaches and broader objectives of the MHRA.

GDS Case Studies

Government Digital Service turns to Certes for specialist contractor support

Government Digital Services required a specialist Learning Designer Facilitator to help address the professional development and career progression of civil servants interested in joining the Ministry of Defence (MOD) as Junior DevOps professionals.

The Central Digital and Data Office (CDDO) division of the Cabinet Office, in collaboration with the MOD, aimed to establish a pilot virtual bootcamp to facilitate this transition.

Our contractor’s key responsibility involved overseeing the comprehensive life cycle of the virtual bootcamp, from its initial conception to its final deployment on the Ministry of Defence’s Learning Management System (LMS). This encompassed conducting meticulous analysis, designing a well-thought-out curriculum, developing engaging content, and flawlessly implementing the program on the designated platform.

DVSA Case Studies

As an organisation the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) carry out driving tests, approve people to be driving instructors and MOT testers, carry out tests to make sure lorries and buses are safe to drive, carry out roadside checks on drivers and vehicles, and monitor vehicle recalls. When the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency(DVSA) embarked on one of its largest-ever transformation programmes, designed to deliver modernisation in every aspect of the way it works, having the right capability to support the transformation was critical. Using tight-knit multidisciplinary teams to deliver programmes and projects across a broad-ranging portfolio, DVSA realised it needed to introduce additional resources to ensure greater cost management and improve technical delivery. Looking for highly-skilled resources, DVSAengaged with Certes to access capability-based service solutions that were flexible, scalable and cost effective and specialist technical teams that could be mobilised swiftly. Some of the main programmes included:

• Future Theory Test – Project to deliver a contract re-let and new model for delivering the driving theory test including enhancements to candidate and trainer booking systems. Digitisation of testing was key as well as the of research emerging technologies that supported greater flexibility in assessing those embarking on the learning to drive journey.
• MOT Transformation – Project and Architecture team focused on the MOT digital service and delivered digital test capture for commercial vehicle testing. This was initiated to improve MOT test quality, resilience and performance.
• Commercial Vehicle Services – Project and Architecture team developed modern digital services. It enabled DVSA’s commercial vehicle testing services, incrementally replacing legacy services such as VT and e-Test Booking. Commercial Vehicle Services for truck and bus testing (technical refresh, cloud hosting and testing, recording and payment transformation). Transformation for digital support to operational staff, focusing on those working remotely with the provision of new applications and mobile solutions