Richard Atkins
Executive Summary
With 30 years of experience in Oracle Applications, including 14 years in senior director roles, I have developed a robust expertise that positions me as one of the most experienced consulting directors in the Oracle Cloud ecosystem. My career has been marked by an entrepreneurial spirit, having served as a director and co-owner in multiple smaller consultancies across the UK and Australia. Additionally, I have held director positions at both Oracle and KPMG, which has further enriched my understanding of delivering consulting excellence.
Throughout my career, I have successfully sold and delivered Oracle applications to a diverse range of organizations across various industries and government sectors worldwide. Notable clients include Westpac, Cotton On, AMP, DHL, Lloyds Bank, Jardine Lloyd Thompson, Reuters, People’s Choice, Save the Children, the NHS (UK), and the Ministry of Justice, among many others. This extensive experience has equipped me with a comprehensive understanding of the unique challenges and requirements faced by different sectors.
I possess in-depth knowledge of Oracle Cloud products, having been awarded the prestigious Oracle Cloud ACE title in 2015, the highest accolade within the Oracle ecosystem. This recognition reflects my deep understanding of both the product and the business processes that underpin successful implementations. My expertise enables me to guide customers on their journey to Oracle Cloud, advising them on best practices and ensuring a smooth delivery of their solutions.
Key Skills
- Consulting Best Practice and Methodologies
- Oracle Cloud Product Knowledge (HCM, ERP)
- Solution Architecture
- Business Transformation
- HR processes
- Customer Strategy
- Customer Advisory
- Customer Health Checks
- Strategic Roadmap
- Organisational Change Management
- Business Process Design
- Technical Design and coding
- Analytics & Reporting
- Team & Executive Leadership
Experience
Kyte Consulting / Managing Director Oracle HCM and ERP
2024 – ongoing
I recently joined Kyte as the Head of the Oracle HCM and ERP Practice. Kyte is a boutique Oracle consultancy dedicated to helping organizations maximize the value of their Oracle Cloud applications. We offer a comprehensive range of services, from strategic advisory to implementation and managed services.
At Kyte, we adopt a strategy-first approach, leveraging data and technology to ensure our customers derive the maximum benefit from their Oracle solutions. My role involves leading our team in delivering tailored solutions that meet the unique needs of each client, ultimately driving their success in the cloud environment.
Oracle Corporation / Oracle Consulting Client Solutions Director
2023 – 2024
As a Director in Oracle Consulting, I played a pivotal role in maximizing the value of Oracle Cloud Applications for customers across Australia and New Zealand. My position involved close collaboration with the Oracle License sales team. In this position, I bridged the gap between Oracle's sales and consulting arms, ensuring a seamless transition from product acquisition to implementation.
KPMG / Director of Sales Oracle Applications
2021 - 2023
Upon KPMG's acquisition of Certus APAC, I joined the firm as a Director in the Management Consulting Division, bringing the extensive Oracle expertise to the organization.
Certus Solutions APAC (Sold to KPMG 2021) / Director Co-Owner
2018 - 2021
In 2015, I spearheaded Certus's expansion into the Asia-Pacific region, which led to the establishment of Certus APAC. This strategic initiative set the stage for my future role in the company.
In 2018, I joined Certus APAC as a co-owner and director, relocating to Australia full-time. During my time at Certus APAC I was instrumental in transforming the company from a small 10-person consultancy into a thriving organization with over 50 employees and operations spanning Australia and India.
In 2021, KPMG acquired Certus APAC as part of their strategy to establish a new Oracle practice. This acquisition validated our success and expertise, positioning us to tackle larger and more complex Oracle Cloud implementations as part of KPMG's expanded technology services offering.
Certus Solutions Consulting (Sold to Accenture 2018) /Director Co-Owner – Head of Oracle Cloud Applications
2011 - 2018
In 2011, I joined Certus Solutions as one of the founding directors and co-owners, taking charge of the Oracle Cloud Applications practice. Over the next seven years, I built this practice from the ground up, eventually leading a team of 80 consultants specializing in HCM, ERP, and EPM products.
While I headed up the Oracle Practice, Certus achieved several significant milestones in Oracle Cloud implementations. We successfully delivered the first global HCM implementation for Lavendon Group and the first combined HCM and ERP implementation for the Rugby Football Union in the UK. Our expertise extended to government sectors, where we implemented HCM and ERP solutions for key departments including Treasury, Home Office, and the Office of National Statistics. My role also involved sales and delivery for international clients such as Save the Children, Skanska, DHL, Schroders, and JT Group, showcasing our global reach and versatility.
By 2017, Certus had solidified its position as one of the most respected Oracle consultancies in the region. Our excellence was recognized through multiple awards, including Oracle's EMEA Partner of the Year and five consecutive UKOUG Oracle Partner of the Year awards.
Richard James Consultancy / Owner Managing Director
1996 - 2011
I spent 15 years as freelance consultant, specialising in Oracle eBusiness Suite Human Capital Management, leading teams in the delivery of the solution as a senior solution architect. My clients included Reuters, Oracle EMEA, Jardine Lloyd Thompson, Lloyds TSB Bank, and the Ministry of Justice.
Prior to this I worked for Oracle Corporation, I joined as a graduate in 1992 and worked across a large number of clients as a technical consultant, specialising in ERP and later HCM.
Certificates
