Ruben Arakelyan

Ruben Arakelyan has worked for Shell since November 2010 as a Business Analyst in Downstream IT for Manufacturing, Supply and Distribution. As part of the Global Performance Management Reporting programme, he provided training and support to users during the roll-out of SAP BusinessObjects Analysis and Dashboards tools to all downstream businesses, quickly becoming the authority on SAP BusinessObjects Analysis.

Before Shell, Ruben worked at Microsoft as an engineer at the Microsoft Technology Centre. In this customer-facing role, he configured, prepared and supported the data centre infrastructure for client engagements, and owned the Envisioning Centre and its technology. He was highly praised by a number of stakeholders for his professionalism, adaptability and positive outlook. He was an ambassador for Microsoft at the 2008 political party conferences in the UK with high-profile guests such as Nick Clegg and William Hague.

Ruben has a BSc (Hons) in Applied Computer Science from the University of Reading. His dissertation, Distributed Short Message Services, explored methods of efficient bulk-message delivery to subscribers through a mobile network.

Business Analyst at Shell

Since November 2010

Gathering and documenting user requirements, identifying options for improving business systems and bridging the needs of the business with the use of IT.

Board Member for Communications: ConnectIT (employee network for IT professionals in EMEA)

Committee Member for Web Communications: New Professionals Network (employee network for new professionals in the UK)

Web Developer at TwentyFourNine

May 2010 – November 2010

Developing websites and web applications (self employed).

Student Ambassador at University of Reading

December 2006 – June 2010

Leading campus tours for prospective students and school groups, presenting student life talks and representing the university at UCAS Conventions. Team leader of 10–15 guides on university open days.

Microsoft Technology Centre Engineer at Microsoft

July 2008 – May 2009

Configuring and preparing the data centre infrastructure for and supporting client engagements, ownership of the Envisioning Centre and presenting Microsoft Surface demonstrations.

Web and Database Developer at University of Reading

July 2007 – July 2008, June 2009 – August 2009, May 2010 – June 2010

Migrating and developing the Careers Advisory Service website and database applications. Work included integrating blogs, a virtual careers fair system and back-end development in PHP and classic ASP.

BSc (Hons) 2.1, Applied Computer Science at University of Reading

2006 – 2010

Dissertation: Distributed Short Message Services
Extracurricular: Assistant Head of IT, Junction11 radio station; Education Representative

GCSEs and A-levels at Haydon School

1999 – 2006

Executive Committee Secretary at AYF London

Since July 2011

Responsibility for communications, membership support, and meeting organisation. Special responsibility for websites.

First Aider at St John Ambulance

Since August 2010

Providing first aid cover at local and national events.

Election Observer at The Electoral Commission

Since May 2008

Observing local and national elections and referendums to ensure free and fair voting.