Today was my last day at IDHL. Three years, five agencies brought together into one, and a team of people I am genuinely proud to have worked alongside. Here is what I am taking with me.
Today marks my last day at IDHL.
I want to take a moment to say thank you and goodbye to an incredible team, and to reflect honestly on what these three years have meant to me.
What I came to do
I joined IDHL at a time when the business was aligning five separate development agencies into one, with a clear brief: bring people together through a strong strategic and people-first mindset. Build collaboration across teams. Improve the culture and create sustainable ways of working.
That’s not a small ask. Five agencies, each with its own identity, history, and ways of working. The challenge was never technical; it was human.
What we built together
I’m proud of what we achieved.
From unifying teams and establishing consistent people management, to implementing training structures that worked across multiple disciplines; the journey was challenging, rewarding, and deeply meaningful.
One highlight I’ll carry with me: helping to establish a training programme that enabled Adobe Commerce developers to upskill into Shopify. It unlocked new opportunities for individuals and strengthened the wider capability of the organisation. When I see someone grow into a role they didn’t think they were ready for, that’s what leadership is for.
Along the way, I built lasting friendships and worked with people who truly care about their craft and each other. If any of the changes we made continue to positively impact people beyond my time there, that is something I’ll always value.
What’s next
I’m open to new opportunities and actively considering my next adventure.
In the meantime, I’m choosing to invest in becoming the strongest version of myself, physically as well as professionally. Strength training and fitness have long been a passion of mine, and I’m now fully committed to it, with a clear goal of competing in the WRPF Novice amateur powerlifting competition.
The thing about legacy
Every role is temporary. The org chart moves on. But the people you helped grow, the culture you shaped, the standards you raised; those things have a way of lasting.
That’s the legacy I’m most interested in. Not the title. Not the deliverables. The people.
To everyone at IDHL: thank you for the trust, the support, and the shared experiences. It’s been a privilege to lead, learn, and grow alongside you.
“Forward ever, backward never.”
Dwayne.
