Ben Wratten ACIM

The Digital Greenhouse is an innovation project launched by the States of Guernsey to stimulate and develop the digital economy of the Island.  I have been involved since the inception of the project, initially taking on a seconded role as the Project Officer at the start of the build development.

My current role as Programme and Engagement Manager is dual focused on the organisation and delivery of a diverse range of programmes and leading on the communication and engagement strategy across the Digital Greenhouse and Economic Development Smart Guernsey Programmes. Alongside the programmes and engagement strategy, I am also responsible for the management of the front of house team and programme budgets. 

Key Achievements:

Project Management

• Implemented an Agile and digital-first process for project management at the DGH, making significant productivity and timesaving wins.
• Management of the 18 Digital Greenhouse programmes under Upskilling, Driving Innovation and Growing businesses in Guernsey. 
• Management of income and budgetary allocation of the DGH.
• Introduced data collection, analysis and reporting processes to show effective return on investment.
• Management of the front of house premises team, developing and implementing updates resulting in positive feedback on customer service and an increase in membership.
• Development and management of sponsored programmes with industry clients.
• Programme management of the Smart Guernsey Economic Development programmes, working in partnership with Blenheim Chalcot and their ventures. 

Communications & Engagement

• Development and Implementation of the DGH communication and engagement strategy.
• Development and Implementation of the SMART Guernsey Economic Development Communications and Engagement Strategy
• Implemented new data collection and reporting processes providing clear dashboards to be used to report to key stakeholders.
• Developed the DGH  websites to include rich engaging and dynamic content, utilising image, audio and video elements.
• Digital Content Creation: Project planning and creation of specific pieces of digital work, including joint publications with key stakeholders.

Additional Projects and Responsibilities

• WebSummit 2019: Was one of three representatives for Team Guernsey on the public stand working with Guernsey Finance and Locate Guernsey, for the three day event.  I project managed the team organisation and communications running up to the event.
• Established the States of Guernsey's first Innovation Lab which has now evolved and grown into Innovation workshops and events for the whole island enabling a knowledge sharing and innovation ecosystem.

Initially seconded as the Project Officer for the start of the Digital Greenhouse initiative, I was then offered the permanent role of Digital Development Officer from 2016.

My first role at the Digital Greenhouse was as part of the team taking the project from the States of Guernsey business case through to delivery of the custom built space and programme.  Through the ongoing Development role, I was tasked with building industry relationships and scoping and pitching the projects which would become the mainstay of the Greenhouse business.  Key to success was establishing systems and processes for project initiation, stakeholder engagement and utilising automation opportunities to reduce impact on staff time, whilst ensuring efficiencies for customers. 

Key Achievements:

Project Management

• Part the project team for the build and creation of the Digital Greenhouse including liaising with contractors and managing project budgets.  
• Developed DGH systems, policies and procedures.  
• Worked with key stakeholders across industry and States of Guernsey. 
• Built and implemented a bespoke CRM system focused on automated onboarding, streamlined the application processes to achieve time saving and financial efficiencies. 
• Launching the Digital Greenhouse App and linking with local projects to offer a proof of concept testing bed to bring technology into the local communities.

Communications & Engagement

• Developed and grew the Digital Greenhouse communications channels to include a wide ranging and engaged audience.
• Created a wide range of Digital assets for both online and offline marketing activity using video, audio and print. 

Large Scale Event Management

• Google Education Summit 2018: led on the organisation of networking events, bringing together local activities to showcase the island to visiting attendees. Managing the various social media accounts associated with the event.
• British Irish Council (Digital Inclusion) 2017: Led on the development of video content on digital skills, coordinating between Guernsey, Jersey and Isle of Man, collecting rich media from all to create a short video which was aired to Ministers at the 2017 Digital Inclusion Ministerial in the Isle of Man.

Need It Loud Events provides innovative  Audio Visual solutions for events and festivals in Guernsey

Growing the company from providing live sound and lighting solutions for local musicians to now being one of the key Audio and Visual Partners for festivals such as the Spiral Earth award winning Sark Folk Festival.

Through running the business I have utlised and developed my skills in company administration, financial accounting, marketing and project management. 

The Guernsey Registry holds registers for the different types of legal entities in Guernsey as well as also acting as the Intellectual Property Office for Guernsey.  My role as Senior Registry Officer was to process and manage incoming applications & enquiries as well as supporting projects being undertaken by the department.

Key Achievements:

• Migration of Charity and NPO registers to the Registry, moving  processes to online and using technology to automate parts of the process.
• Undertook formal training programme in Intellectual Property with UK Intellectual Property Office 
• Development of the Guernsey Registry Image Rights register and product.
• Tasked with evaluating internal processes and external user experience, I established several new processes that enabled the improvement of customer service and reduction in costs.
• Helping with the streamlining  of processes to enable easier submissions and improved delivery times.
• Developing extensive guidance notes to enable more support to be given through the online portal for both Company and Intellectual Property enquiries and submissions.

Charted Institute of Marketing - Level 7 Diploma in Professional Marketing (2021 - to date)

Currently studying towards the post graduate diploma with focused electives on creating entrepreneurial change, corporate digital communications and global marketing decisions.

High Potentials Programme (2022)

Completed the High Potentials Programme with Avado learning, developing skills in change management, project management and team management. 

Chartered Institute of Marketing- Level 6 Digital Diploma in Professional Marketing (2021)

Gaining the diploma with CIM has enabled me to develop my knowledge of marketing strategy development through work based assignments that I have implemented at the Digital Greenhouse, focusing on customer acquisition and conversion.  I have also gone on to gain Associate Member status with the Chartered Institute of Marketing and am now working towards my post graduate diploma. 

Agile Project Management - Practitioner Certification (2020)

Through qualifying at practitioner level with  SPOCE, I formalised my knowledge of Agile Project Management and how it can be utilised effectively in the work place. It has allowed be to have a greater understanding of the methodologies, the result of which has been clear, iterative delivery of fast-paced projected within my current role.

Adobe Education Trainer - AET (2018)

Gaining the Adobe Education Trainer qualification has enabled has lead to the expansion of the Digital Innovators programme  with me running sessions on the various adobe products mainly focused around user experience and user interface design.

Lego Educator (2018)

Working with Lego Education, this training has be instrumental in the development of the Digital Seedlings enrichment program.  Undertaking practical workshops, this course has enabled me to be qualified in the delivery of Lego Mindstorm education, ensuring great results in how to teach computational thinking and coding to young people as well as adults.

ICSA - Certificate (2014)

The ICSA certificate was made up of four modules relating to Company Administration, Offshore Business, Accounting and Investment fundamentals, formalising and increasing my knowledge in these practices.

CMI Level 3 - First Line Management (2014)

The CMI Level 3 qualification comprised of several modules focused on different areas of performance and team management giving me knowledge of management processes and how they can be used effectively. 

ICS - Managing Customer Service (2014)

During my time undertaking this qualification, I grew my knowledge of change management and the development of customer service.  My work based project was focused on improving communications with startup companies and SMEs in Guernsey by the Registry.  My findings were adopted as practice, resulting in a decrease in administration enquiries and an increase in customer satisfaction.

Media Studies A Level - B

Photography A Level - B

Psychology A Level - C

Religious Studies Philosophy and Ethics AS  - B

Art AS - C