What is a technology review, and how does it relate to the Technology MOT?
The Technology MOT is a fixed-price, six-domain assessment and the usual starting point. A technology review is the MOT pointed at a specific question: is this programme or AI deployment sound, what are we really buying, or where is the money going. Same fixed price, same two to three weeks, same board-ready output.
How is this different from a Big Four technology due diligence?
Scale and proportion. A Big Four report suits a large transaction with a large team and a large fee. My review is a senior individual, fixed price and fixed scope, built for mid-market and PE-backed deals where that would be out of proportion. I began as a Chartered Accountant at Price Waterhouse and then ran the platforms acquisitions land on, so I read both the numbers and the systems.
What does pre-deal technology due diligence cover?
What you are really buying: the state of the technology and the people who understand it, licence and supplier exposure, security posture, the cost and timeline of integration, and whether any AI claims stand up. The output is a plain-English view the investment committee or board can act on.
Do you assess ISO 42001 readiness?
Yes: a readiness and gap assessment ahead of certification, with a prioritised plan to close the gaps. I do not certify. The audit itself is for the certification body you choose.
How do you find savings in supplier and licence spend?
By mapping the stack, the contracts and the renewal calendar together, since savings usually sit where overlapping platforms, unused licences and incumbent-friendly renewals meet. At the BBC that meant a technology refresh that saved £6.5m and an outsource renegotiation that cut the cost of change by 40%. In the MOT, identified savings almost always cover the fee.
Can you work to a deal timetable and under NDA?
Yes. I work under NDA from the first conversation and fit the timetable the deal sets. The standard MOT scope runs two to three weeks from kickoff to board briefing, and I am available at short notice. I was previously SC-Cleared.
Where should I start?
With a 30-minute call, then the Technology MOT at £5,950 + VAT (charities £3,950): fixed price, fixed scope, no ongoing commitment. Tell me whether the question is assurance, a deal or a cost review and I will point the six domains at it.
