# Mark Dearlove (@markdearlove.bsky.social)

Profile: https://sifa.id/p/markdearlove.bsky.social
Headline: Founder of The Learning Stack  |  30 years of scars from sitting in your seat trying to translate vendor promises into practical business reality  |  Aiming to know enough to be dangerous
Location: Bournemouth

## About

Hey, I'm Mark. After 30 years in the learning leader's seat, I’m building the trusted, independent voice I wish I’d had in my corner.I am obsessed with closing the gap between technology's promise and the reality of implementation.In my recent roles leading global academies and education teams at Spryker and Tealium, I was exposed to a persistent, industry-wide frustration. We’ve all seen it: the $100k+ learning platform that becomes a glorified PDF library, the "AI-powered" features that never get used, and L&D teams stuck reporting completion rates while the C-suite demands ROI.I realised that the market doesn’t need more analysts or vendors. It needs practitioners who have actually lived through the renewal deadlines, the budget cuts, and the high-stakes scaling moments.With that in mind, I created The Learning Stack.I am building this consultancy and media business to bring clarity and honesty to the complex world of learning tech. Through independent analysis, deep-dive reviews, and strategic advisory, I help learning leaders at scaling start-ups and mid-market companies cut through the noise and make smarter, revenue-aware technology decisions.I am also committed to building this business in public. I’ll be sharing the entire journey, including the wins, the challenges, the pivots, and the hard-won lessons, as I grow The Learning Stack from scratch to a sustainable solo practice.

## Experience

- **Senior Solutions Trainer - EMEA at Tealium** (2015 – 2018)
  I provided strategic leadership for Tealium's real-time unified marketing solutions, helping brands seamlessly integrate their siloed applications and data, driving more profitable interactions across digital touch points.
- **Senior Technical Trainer at Comverse** (1999 – 2006)
  Led numerous formal training needs analysis sessions in order to deliver focussed, cost-effective training curriculum for Tier 1 service providers. As a result of the analysis and subsequent delivery, customer satisfaction was increased and the number of calls to support was decreased by 20%. Designed and delivered an intensive curriculum for on boarding new hires in the Services and Support organisations which was delivered to more than 150 people in 2 years. Responsible for the setup, maintenance and administration of the EMEA training server environments. Worked as the prime trainer and content developer for all installation and administration training classes across the EMEA region. Designed and developed a web based tool for tracking and reporting the technical and business skills of the internal services team in order to provide targeted 3rd party skills training.
- **Training Project Manager at Teradata** (2013 – 2015)
  Leading delivery of Teradata Applications training programs to customers and business partners in the International region
- **Director of Academy at Spryker** (2020 – 2024)
- **Founder at The Learning Stack** (2024 – present)
  Building in public, from scratch
- **Technical Enablement Specialist - Cloud & Smarter Infrastructure at IBM** (2006 – 2013)
  In my role at IBM, I was responsible for designing, developing, and delivering training for three large-scale Netcool Network and Service Management products, resulting in an average student satisfaction rate of 86%. I served as a subject matter expert during sales, presales, and service engagements to understand client training requirements and developed customized training plans based on their unique needs.
- **Director of Education Delivery at Tealium** (2018 – 2020)
  At Tealium, I championed the Education Delivery team, guiding customers to success with our unified marketing solutions, resulting in improved customer satisfaction and business growth.
- **Senior Director of Academy at Spryker** (2024 – 2025)
  In my role at Spryker, I spearhead the Academy, ensuring we provide top-tier training to our customers and partners, enhancing their technical skills and driving their business success.In my role at Spryker, I spearhead the Academy, ensuring we provide top-tier training to our customers and partners, enhancing their technical skills and driving their business success.

## Education

- **University of life**

## Skills

- training evaluation
- Product Training
- Service Quality Management
- Datastage
- Telecoms Billing
- Needs Analysis
- Pre-sales
- Customer Experience Management
- Classroom Management
- Training Delivery
- Linux
- Digital Marketing
- E-Learning
- Curriculum Development
- Telecommunications
- Solaris
- Technical Training
- Technical Education Leadership
- Data Analysis & Learning Impact Assessment
- Generative AI for Learning and Development
- Learning Strategy Development
- Enablement Program Design & Delivery
- tag management
- Technical Product Training
- Training Needs Analysis
- Telecommunications Billing
- Billing Systems
- Training & Development
- Training
- Learning Management Systems
- Learning Management
- Blended Learning
- Requirements Analysis
- Integration
- Solution Architecture

## Publications

- The Learning Stack — Substack (https://thelearningstack.substack.com/)

## Other profiles

- website: https://learn-stack.com