Ben Grinnell is Managing Director and Global Lead of the Technology and Digital Service Line at North Highland, where he has spent over twenty years specializing in digital transformation for large organizations across public and private sectors. With extensive experience in next-generation IT, DevOps, Agile, and Lean methodologies, Grinnell has led major technology initiatives spanning government, health, education, and transport industries. He previously served as interim IT Director at the UK Border Agency, where he built internal IT capabilities and restructured major outsourced contracts. Grinnell holds a BSc in Mathematics and Computing from Loughborough University, completed PhD-level research in predictive control algorithms, and currently serves as a Non-Executive Director at Decentenergy.io.
Newest · 2025
Lead for the Long Game
In an era where AI capabilities advance monthly rather than yearly, mid-level enterprise leaders face an impossible choice: move fast and risk catastrophic failure, or move cautiously and become obsolete.
Free · Creative Commons
In the library · 9
Track record
Publications, talks, and the roles they came out of — one thread, newest first.
TalkMaking Vibe Coding a Core Skill
Guidance paperLead for the Long Game
RoleStrategic Advisor
RoleNon Executive Director
RoleBoard Member Capabilities and AI
Guidance paperAutonomous AI In The Enterprise
Guidance paperStrategic Sourcing for Digital Transformation
Guidance paperOvercoming Barriers to Industrial DevOps
TalkSpoke at Las Vegas 2022 and Virtual US 2022 and Europe 2022
Guidance paperA Leader's Guide to Working with Consultants
Guidance paperBold Moves You Can Make
Guidance paperApplied Industrial DevOps
Guidance paperDear Auditor
Guidance paperMaking Matrixed Organizations Successful with DevOps
RoleManaging Director, Global Lead Technology & Digital Service Line
Ben's papers are free. The books behind them aren't.
Guidance papers stay free for everyone, always. Membership adds every book and audiobook, the immersion courses, and the full video library — including all 5 of Ben's talks.