Executive Team Bio’s
Neil Harrison – CEO
For the past 20 years my goal has been to build a team that can develop and utilise a CAFM system that delivers real benefits in a fast, efficient, cost effective and measurable way. Ostara was born out of my own search for a CAFM system and the continual frustration at what was available in the marketplace at the time.
Having been in the FM industry since 2002 I truly believe that the Ostara team understand the drivers, demands and stresses faced by FM, Maintenance and Compliance Managers.
Ostara has been designed to alleviate these pressures by allowing FM and maintenance managers to take control of their maintenance and facilities. In addition to providing the tools to manage on a day to day basis, our CAFM software will also support mangers in their quest to prove this control to all stakeholders.
I work with a great team of people and my aim is to empower, encourage and coach the team to achieve their potential. This will, in turn achieve great results for our clients and the business. My ambition is to continue to grow the Ostara brand by sharing the concepts, ideas, processes, procedures and efficiency driving products that have already been proven by some of the biggest and best companies in the UK and across the world.
I graduated from University with a dual (French and English) BA first class honours in business management. Although I don’t use french much in business anymore I still enjoy trips to the south of France whenever possible.
Following my degree in business studies with economics, I qualified as a Chartered Certified Accountant and have worked in the FM industry for the past 17 years. My role is more than just providing financial guidance for Ostara Systems: I also bring together my financial expertise and my FM experience for the benefit of Ostara’s clients.
I contribute to company strategy across all areas of the business, working with a very professional and dedicated team of individuals.
Financial controls which lead to cost savings are an important part of the Ostara system and I have been able to help ensure that the solution continues to deliver these benefits.
I also work with Ostara’s clients to help ensure that the financial reporting from Ostara fits with their finance departments requirements and processes.
As a qualified counsellor, I am involved in all areas of HR: helping to create an environment that contributes to our employee’s wellbeing is an important part of my role as a Director of Ostara Systems.
I am very proud to be part of the Ostara team with its excellent reputation as an employer and for quality and customer service.
Outside of my role at Ostara I am also a songwriter and volunteer for local charities as a counsellor.
Jayne Harrison – Finance Director
Steve Sartain –Technical Director
For over 20 years I have been successfully using Microsoft © – based technologies to help leading, global industry players in FM, financial services, consultancy, telecom industries and central government accomplish specific business objectives.
Ten years ago I was given the opportunity to join Ostara and tasked to build a team of people that could meet the challenge of developing the best CAFM system possible! With Ostara I believe we have developed a scalable product that will deliver beyond the expectations of even the most demanding clients.
I personally thrive on challenges, feed off success, and have a passion for emerging technologies – I look at moving targets not as obstacles but as opportunities. My aim is to provide a structured environment within which each member of the team can bring their own creative and innovative approach to solving issues and enhancing the system.
By combining business knowledge, project planning, software development skills and team leadership we are able to achieve dynamic software development without losing the focus on those things important to the clients, such as the agreed deliverables and timelines. My ambition is to continue harnessing the latest technologies not only to bring commercial benefits to all users of the Ostara CAFM software, but also to maintain the development of the team that will help establish Ostara Systems Ltd as the industry leader in our field.
My credentials include various Microsoft certifications, a BSC in computing and IT an MSc in software development plus a range of professional courses embracing a vast portfolio of programming languages, databases and design methodologies.
Microsoft is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries.
My role at Ostara covers a variety of areas. As well as being responsible for overseeing the implementation of services for Clients, I work alongside our clients ensuring not only open and timely communication at all stages, but also that the development of the system meets or exceeds their requirements and expectations.
My technical expertise gained both client side and as a service provider, allows me to highlight any future system development requirements that will be a pre-requisite or simply a benefit for our clients.
In such a competitive and demanding industry as FM you need all the help you can get to control costs, comply with legislation plus be able to report on every aspect of the facilities within your remit. Whether the task is to maximise the supply chain, collate and analyse data on which future budgets can be set or to highlight areas of risk to the business, Ostara is the CAFM Software System that will enable you to do this.
I became involved with the Ostara team in 2011 having previously worked in technical and project management roles for various companies including those within the FM sector. Projects ranged from the migration of large scale IT infrastructures for the Crime Prosecution Services, to a number of smaller IT deployment projects such as a remote worker solution and the roll out of Microsoft®-based systems such as SCCM. However, I started out in FM and made the decision to return to it when the opportunity to be part of Ostara came along.
Some of the key skills I utilise in my day to day job – problem solving and the analysis of customer data – were honed during my time at the University of Bath where I gained a BSc (Hons) in mathematical sciences.
Once a new Client has mobilised, the ongoing support provided to the Client is incredibly important to me. As such, I manage the support team within Ostara, ensuring that the service provided from a Business As Usual perspective is as open, thorough and professional as the support provided during mobilisation.
During my years with Ostara, I have implemented services for a wide ranging number of clients, from leading High Street retailers such as Boots and Primark, through to sky scraper embassies in Cairo.
My ambition is to continue to deliver projects on time and to budget and to play a key role in helping Ostara become the leading CAFM software system in the UK and overseas.
Darren Bayley – Operations Director
Donna Sartain – Whitbread Helpdesk Manager
I joined Ostara in 2012 as a member of the technical support team, quickly getting to grips with the FM industry and the needs of our clients. I have since progressed to become the Whitbread Helpdesk Manager, a role that leverages all of the skills that I have learned throughout my time here at Ostara.
My role entails managing a team of efficient and skilled helpdesk agents to fulfil the requirements of a leisure giant such as Whitbread. I strive to hold myself and my staff to a high standard ensuring the quality of service we provide to the end client is second to none. As a Helpdesk Manager I am responsible for meeting KPI’s and SLA’s agreed with the client whilst ensuring morale remains high within the team.
I always seek to cultivate long lasting, meaningful relationships with the client and members of their organisation. We are often involved in gala dinners with our clients to support causes that are close to their hearts and ours. I am consistently looking for areas of improvement within the team, technology utilised and business practices to ensure that we can provide the best overall package that Ostara has to offer.
I enjoy the challenges that working for a company like Ostara offers, often having to engineer solutions and procedures to overcome hurdles in our clients FM experience. Ostara lends itself to a family feel, with the CEO being a familiar face to all and regular quiz nights and activities that build friendships at work.
In my personal life, I enjoy spending time with my grandson who ensures that I am always learning even outside of work, although it tends to be dinosaur related content currently. I have taken part in charity walks with Ostara, many of us have completed the coast to coast walk to raise money for charity.
After completing a degree in Politics from the University of York I joined Ostara on a temporary basis as a contact centre representative intending to cover a busy period for a couple of months, after really enjoying my time at Ostara, I never left!
When the scope of the Whitbread Maintenance Helpdesk expanded in 2018 I was promoted to Deputy Helpdesk Manager which means I have responsibility for a team delivering a wide range of services across the Whitbread estate. The Helpdesk runs 24/7 and is far from being a simple call centre, we also manage a high number of complex processes including invoice management and contract changes in the Ostara system.
My principal responsibilities are to support the team and I spend a lot of time assessing our processes and process improvement. I believe the most important elements of my role are maintaining a positive culture and morale within the team and providing training and support to help the agents to be the best versions of themselves. We have a tight knit team of technically able individuals with a family feel.
Out of work, I enjoy spending time with friends and family, I like to paint, and travel when I can.
Sophie Taylor – Whitbread Deputy Helpdesk Manager
Kerri Willis – Account Manager
My journey with Ostara started in 2018 supporting as a Helpdesk Manager. Leading a team of dedicated professionals, I ensured that the client received nothing short of exceptional service. From managing KPIs to enforcing a culture of continuous improvement, I prioritised both efficiency and excellence in every aspect of my work.
Gaining experience within the CAFM world and creating meaningful relationships has enabled me to progress into Account Management. A key aspect of my role is cultivating strong client relationships, marked by clear communication and professionalism, as well as seeking and building new relationships. I consistently seek ways to enhance processes and drive positive change within the organisation.
I find fulfilment in overcoming obstacles, sustained by the supportive family culture at Ostara.
Beyond the office, I channel my energy into my son, embracing the joys and adventures that come with parenthood.
