Testimonials

It’s very rare to come across a leader like Dan Burley. During our time working together at Ultimate Performance, Dan stood out as the kind of senior IT leader you hope you get to work with in your career. He is, simply put, a human tech machine with a seemingly limitless capacity to drive results, empower his team, and maintain the highest standards of integrity and professionalism.Dan’s work ethic is unparalleled. He’s the first to roll up his sleeves and the last to leave until the job is done—and done well. But what sets Dan apart isn’t just his ability to handle the technical side of IT (which he does better than almost anyone I’ve seen); it’s his leadership. Dan doesn’t just manage a team. He creates an environment where every member feels supported, heard, and empowered to succeed.Dan is a true leader. He has the rare ability to balance the big-picture vision with the day-to-day execution. He’s gracious in his guidance, humble in his approach, and empathetic in every interaction. Whether navigating a complex project, mentoring team members, or handling crises with grace under pressure, Dan consistently proves that leadership is about trust and teamwork. I have seen him go to bat for his team time and time again, always ensuring they have what they need to excel, grow, and deliver.One of Dan’s greatest strengths is his forward-thinking approach. He doesn’t just solve problems—he puts processes in place to ensure those problems don’t resurface. Thanks to his methodical, process-driven mindset, Dan leaves a legacy of structure and efficiency wherever he goes. The combination of his technical expertise, leadership, and character is irreplaceable. He’s the kind of leader I would want on my Tech dream team every single day. Any organization that has the chance to work with Dan is incredibly lucky.I can’t recommend Dan highly enough. If you have the opportunity to bring him on board, take it—you won’t regret it.

I had the privilege of working with Dan for several years at Ultimate Performance. I brought Dan into the business to head up and build the infrastructure and operations team, where he consistently demonstrated exceptional technical expertise, leadership skills, and a strong commitment to IT operations. As the Head of IT Operations, I saw firsthand how he contributed to shaping the technology landscape of the company and played a pivotal role in supporting the global network. During his time at Ultimate Performance, Dan was instrumental in building and refining the IT infrastructure. His work on the Cyber Security Strategy, including achieving certifications like Cyber Essentials+ and aligning with ISO27001, was invaluable. He also played a key role in reducing Microsoft 365 licensing costs by 50%, saving the company a significant sum over two years, and his leadership in implementing a global contact centre solution resulted in improved call retention and sales conversion rates. One of his standout achievements was implementing a Global Support Service Desk Solution (HALO ITSM), which dramatically improved the technology department’s service quality, achieving a 93% customer satisfaction rate and an impressive NPS score of 775. His ability to manage complex projects, such as disaster recovery solutions and internal process improvements, was always marked by a keen eye for detail, a strategic approach, and a relentless work ethic. What truly sets Dan apart is his ability to lead by example. He fostered a positive and efficient work environment for his team, ensuring that projects were delivered on time, and the quality of service consistently exceeded expectations. His strategic thinking and forward-looking approach to the IT department’s growth were key in preparing the team for future success. I highly recommend Dan for any senior leadership or consultancy role in the IT and technology sector. His technical acumen, leadership ability, and dedication to achieving business goals through effective IT strategies make him an invaluable asset to any organisation.

I have worked with Dan for the past 2 years and have learnt so much for Dan, working alongside Dan we have achieved so much in the data protection and Cyber security space. Dan is always confident and full of knowledge, if he doesn't know or have a solution straight away he will work until he delivers a scalable and robust solution. Dan is enthusiastic about all aspects of his job and constantly goes above and beyond. Dan has a wealth of knowledge and expertise in not just IT system particularly Microsoft but also the wider surrounding processors and leads from the front. Dan has great communication and project management skills.

I had the privilege of working under Dan during my time at Ultimate Performance, and I can confidently say that he has been one of the most exceptional managers I’ve encountered. His combination of technical expertise, leadership skills, and genuine compassion set him apart as an outstanding IT professional and a truly inspiring manager.Technically, Dan possesses a depth and breadth of knowledge that is unparalleled. Whether troubleshooting complex issues, implementing innovative solutions, or guiding the team through large-scale projects, his skill and expertise always shone through. He had a knack for breaking down complex problems into manageable tasks, which not only ensured successful outcomes but also empowered the team to grow and learn along the way.What truly sets Dan apart is his humanity and leadership. He fostered an environment of trust, collaboration, and respect, ensuring that everyone on the team felt valued and supported. His ability to listen, mentor, and inspire others created a positive and productive workplace culture that I will always cherish. Even during challenging moments, he remained calm and solution-focused, offering guidance with kindness and empathy.I am confident that any organisation would benefit greatly from having Dan on their team. He not only delivers exceptional technical and managerial results but also brings an unmatched ability to inspire and uplift those around him. I wholeheartedly recommend him and am certain he will excel in whatever opportunity comes next.

I had the privilege of working directly with Dan for two years, during which he not only served as my manager but also as an incredible mentor. At the time, I was new to management, and Dan truly took me under his wing, guiding me through the transition with patience, wisdom, and an unwavering willingness to support my growth.Dan's mentorship went beyond the typical management responsibilities. He taught me invaluable lessons about IT operations and technical concepts I hadn’t encountered in my career before. His ability to explain complex tasks in a clear and accessible way was remarkable, and his approach made even the most challenging situations feel manageable.What stood out the most about Dan was his talent for fostering growth in others. He consistently made an effort to include me in important conversations, helping me navigate and contribute to key projects. By doing so, he not only expanded my knowledge but also built my confidence, ensuring I had the tools and understanding to develop into a strong IT leader.Dan’s patience, knowledge, and genuine desire to pass on his expertise to the “next generation” of IT managers are a testament to his character and leadership style. I’m incredibly grateful for the time I spent learning from him and will carry those lessons throughout my career.

In the year and a bit I have worked with Dan I have learned that what sets him apart, is his unwavering commitment to empowering team members. He truly believes in promoting from within, giving our IT professionals the opportunities and resources they need to grow and excel in their careers. This not only boosts morale but also strengthens our team as a whole.Dan possesses an expansive knowledge of the ever-evolving IT landscape, and [he/she/they] generously shares his expertise with the team. His approachable nature encourages open communication and collaboration, making it easy for us to seek guidance and learn from his wealth of experience.Under Dan's leadership, we have successfully navigated numerous challenges and implemented innovative solutions that have considerably enhanced our operational efficiencies. Dan is a strategic thinker with an impressive ability to translate complex technical concepts into clear, actionable insights.I wholeheartedly recommend Dan to any business seeking a knowledgeable, supportive, and visionary leader in IT.

Daniel is an exceptional leader in IT operations who consistently demonstrates remarkable qualities that elevate team performance. His leadership style is characterized by genuine care for his teammates, maintaining high team morale through proactive engagement and support.Despite not being my direct manager, Daniel ensures my work well-being and offering assistance whenever needed. His technical expertise is outstanding, and he generously shares his knowledge, always willing to help colleagues deepen their understanding of complex IT challenges.What truly sets Daniel apart is his commitment to team growth and his ability to create a supportive, collaborative work environment. His technical acumen combined with his empathetic leadership makes him an invaluable asset to any organization.I wholeheartedly recommend Daniel for any leadership role in IT operations.

Over the past three and a half years, I have had the privilege of reporting directly to Dan at Ultimate Performance.Beginning as a junior engineer, I have witnessed Dan’s exceptional leadership and technical prowess propel our team to success. His extensive experience is an invaluable asset to any IT department. Whether leading large-scale projects or assisting his team in solving a multitude of challenges, Dan consistently demonstrates his capabilities as a leader.What stands out most is his dedication to developing and inspiring others. Dan is committed to investing in and nurturing the next generation in the technology field, a commitment I personally benefited from during the early stages of my career. He always takes the time to ensure people feel heard and valued; no concern is too big or small, I have always felt comfortable approaching him.I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to have been mentored by and worked with Dan over the past three and a half years. I emphasize “with” rather than “for” because that is the inclusive culture he fosters within any team. I wholeheartedly recommend Dan and am confident he will continue to inspire and uplift those around him wherever he goes.

Dan is the pinnacle of what makes a great leader, he leads from the front. He trains , he coaches, embeds confident into people's abilities to enhance work performance and not just his direct team. Dan to me represents sincerity and integrity to the highest degree, he is an amazing listener , good fun also his aim is to achieve all task set. To make life easier he is pro- active rather than reactive, resolves any shortfalls yesterday and more importantly ensures it doesn't happen again. He is in no doubt gifted, talented, and knowledgeable who has capabilities to strive in all that he set himself to achieve. These attributes he shares with his team and colleagues so we all achieve together. I would embellish the opportunity to to work with Dan again .

Dan has an infectious personality which compliments his undoubted ability and personal drive. While working with Dan, I found him hard working, solution orientated and technically savvy. He was a popular member of the team and I am pleased to recommend Dan .

I had the pleasure of working with Dan in his first permanent role after leaving the Army. Dan has always been extremely hardworking and organised and over the first year of working in my team he quickly became a highly valued member of the team, working on several high profile client projects.I’ve kept in touch with Dan over the years and seen him develop into a high performing IT Manager, who would be an asset to any company

Daniel was the sole Information System Engineer, covering two bases in the Garmiser region of Helmand, Afghanistan and responsible for all Information Services, including several mission critical system used for command and control. Time and again, Daniel showed considerable technical expertise and initiative to keep the systems he was responsible going despite atrocious climatic conditions and a shortage of spares. The Battlegroup he was supporting thought very highly of him as did I. I would be very happy to have Daniel work for me again in the future.