Michael Clerk

FL DEV is a tech consultancy serving open source projects and software companies, helping them build stronger businesses around the software they make and sell. We focus on the business layer: operations, sales, finance, marketing, and community engagement. We don't write code or run systems; we make everything around them work better. As founder and Managing Director, I am the sole leader of the firm and its primary consultant, with full authority over every component of the business. **Strategy & Governance** - Sole author of company vision, strategy, and long-term direction - Final decision-maker on all business matters, no material action proceeds without my approval - Own and enforce all company policies, standards, and operating rules **Consulting** - Primary client-facing consultant, owning engagements end-to-end - Advise open source projects and software companies on business operations, go-to-market strategy, sales, finance, marketing, and community engagement - Conduct market, sales, and financial research to underpin client recommendations - Support both open source and closed source software businesses **Brand & Communications** - Full ownership of FL Dev's brand identity across web, print, and digital - Ensure all external communications consistently reflect the firm's standards and positioning **Negotiations & Business Development** - Lead all commercial, contractual, and strategic negotiations - Solely evaluate and approve all client engagements and contracts **Technology & Infrastructure** - Sole owner of all internal IT systems, tooling, and technology infrastructure - Maintain and evolve the firm's open source software stack

LongBrain is an FMCG consultancy built around two senior principals, delivering high-impact strategy, market insight, and operational guidance to clients across the sector. As co-founder and Executive Director, I am the firm's strategic authority and one of its two primary consultants. **Strategy & Governance** - Sole author of company vision and long-term strategy - Final sign-off authority on all major decisions and business matters - Own and enforce all company policies, rules, and operating standards **Consulting** - Primary client-facing consultant, owning engagements from discovery through delivery - Conduct market, sales, and financial research to drive client recommendations - Advise FMCG clients on growth strategy, market positioning, and commercial performance - Partner with co-founder on all client and contract decisions **Brand & Communications** - Full ownership of LongBrain's brand identity across web, print, and digital - Ensure all external communications reflect the firm's standards and positioning **Negotiations & Business Development** - Participate in all major commercial, contractual, and strategic negotiations - Evaluate and approve new client engagements alongside co-founder **Technology & Infrastructure** - Sole owner of all IT systems, tooling, and technology infrastructure

Co-Owner of a Private Holding company with investments in: Lawn Care, Waste Management, Vending, Last Mile Delivery & Merchandising Services. - Oversaw procurement of products and equipment. - Managed and maintained all computers, phones and other electronic devices & infrastructure. - Reviewed sales & activity reports, financial statements, market research and other performance data & productivity measures to identify areas needing improvement, missed opportunities and determine solutions & strategies. - Discovered and developed future products and service offerings. - Directed and coordinated together with co-owner activities of business concerned with the services, pricing, sales and customer service. - Determined together with co-owner investments, approved marketing strategies to promote and develop the company. - Negotiated together with the co-owner contracts with corporate clientele.

- Served as a liaison between managing director and team members for all IT related issues. - Investigated issues and problems and drafted responses to urgent IT requests. - Managed sensitive information with discretion. - Created and maintained computer-based filing and organization systems for records, reports and documents. - Served as a point of contact for data acquisition and research. - Reviewed IT network policies and infrastructure to evaluate sub-optimal areas and develop solutions. - Supported IT application development, application support, system integration and system administration projects. - Served as operating system expert, providing technical support for entire organization. - Designed, documented and executed IT maintenance procedures, including system upgrades, patch management and system backups. - Served as Executive Assistant to the managing director.

- Assisted in supporting all of the companies IT infrastructure: Networking, Servers, Laptops, Desktops, & Mobile. - Supported Legacy systems (Windows 2003 Server) - Supported Microsoft Windows, Office