Andrew Kinnear, Founder of AKMA

Over the last twenty years, Andrew has provided expertise in tightening the link between business needs and IT services. He has provided highly flexible, future-proof, strategic and tactical solutions to blue chip organisations throughout the world in a wide range of exacting industries:

In 1993 he set up AKMA a customer focussed, multi-lingual, international consultancy for corporations with widely disparate and complex data management requirements. AKMA has a fifteen year track record of helping organisations exploit value from information and processes which are tied up in existing systems. Their approach focuses on business issues and requirements which are resolved using service orientated architectures and technologies which deliver immediate benefits.

With a first-class reputation and meticulous recruitment on an international basis, Andrew developed an outsourced model for support services, implemented IS9002 and provided a flexible and robust technology infrastructure to support a growing number of consultants.




Geoffrey Palmer, Project Architect


Design & Implementation

Geoffrey's natural flexibility and innovation have served leading global brands since 1985. IBM presented him with an outstanding achievement award for his contribution to one of their projects. Other corporate organisations have seen Geoffrey take on disorganised, potentially disastrous projects and completely turn them around, driving deliverables back on schedule. Many of his earlier innovations are still fully operational.

Having resolved enormous technical challenges and gained the confidence of complex organisations worldwide, Geoffrey has extensive real-world scenarios to draw on and is a particularly talented educator and trainer. His proven technological foresight and understanding make his acumen a valuable asset in complex corporations.



Keith Underdown, Information Architect


IS Architecture

Keith is one of the UK's most experienced IS Architects. His background in working for organisations around the world covers approximately four decades. Although, Keith does not focus on a single industry, he has a particularly strong track record in financial and insurance organisations.

His technical experience includes programming real time psychology experiments, VME operating system design, leading the operational design of a major new banking suite and developing corporate, group-wide information architecture.

As a naturally strong team leader, Keith has solved a myriad of challenges including persuading potentially militant computer operators that automating their work would make their roles more interesting.



Steven Hodge, Project Architect


Operations & IT Management

With over thirty years in industry, Steven provides strong practice development, project management and trouble-shooting expertise. He has achieved dramatic business benefits in global organisations including 50% workforce cost reductions, 55% problem resolution rate improvements together with designing, implementing and managing international IS operations. Steven excels in complex, high risk and revenue raising corporate business projects.

Naturally focused on increasing large scale business performance, he has the expertise and experience to step into corporate customer relationships, crisis management, operational and IT directorship roles.

His leadership, clear business manner and credibility optimises the communication and achievement of those around him.



Mark Tyson, Information Architect


Data and Process Modelling, Methodology and Tools

Mark has spent over twenty years providing analytical and architectural expertise to organisations running large scale, business driven projects involving leading edge technology. He delivers real business benefit in the planning and analysis phases of systems projects, by optimising return on investment and preventing the need for expensive, future adjustments.

Liaising at all levels, often in complex, international organisations, Mark is a clear communicator with a relaxed, no-nonsense approach. He is an accomplished, technical and business report writer, forming a vital link between those with business requirements and technical teams faced with the challenges of rapid delivery.



Nic Jefferis


Marketing and Project leader

Over the last 25 years, Nic has worked in a range of market sectors including Construction, Energy, Aerospace & Defence, Software, Management Consultancy and Local Government. His wide experience in different aspects of business has given him a strong skill set for analysis and strategy development as well as the ability to lead and deliver projects.

Originally trained as an engineer, he gained an MBA at Cranfield and moved into developing and implementing business information systems from a user perspective. He has lead teams in the assessment of requirements, the sourcing and development of systems and their subsequent implementation and roll out.

His understanding of the importance of information to a modern organisation combined with cross functional working delivers a clear focus on its management and associated issues. Strong interpersonal skills and interest in business and technology means that Nic can bridge the gap between an organisation's users and its technologists and their suppliers.



AKMA consultants have provided expertise to the following organisations:

  • Alliance & Leicester
  • Arab National Bank
  • Arthur Andersen
  • British Aerospace
  • Bristol & West
  • Canada Life
  • Central Bank of the Russian Federation
  • CII Honeywell-Ball
  • Compaq Computers GmbH
  • Deutsche Telecom
  • DHL
  • East Midlands Electricity
  • First Direct
  • Girobank
  • Glamox
  • Hewlett Packard
  • IBM
  • Irish Electricity Board
  • Level3
  • Levis Strauss
  • Lloyds Register of Shipping
  • National Australia Group
  • National Commercial Industrial Bank of Kuwait
  • Norwich Union
  • Meyado Group Holdings
  • Millenium Software
  • Royal Sun Alliance
  • Oni
  • Shell Petrolium
  • Student Loan Company
  • Tandem Computers
  • Telenor
  • Telia
  • Unilever