Mike Rouse

Timeline

A career spanning technology and public life since 2005. Technical roles, elected positions and consulting work have often run in parallel.

TechnologyPublic LifeConsultingPeople
2026Technology

Data Protection Portal

Built a GDPR-compliant data protection portal for a national political party, handling SARs, erasure requests and automated mailbox scanning.

2026Technology

Candidate Application Portal

Built a candidate pipeline system handling applications from parish to parliamentary level for a national political party.

2025Technology

Chagos Islands Balloting System

Built and delivered the balloting system used to elect the Interim First Minister of the Chagos Islands.

October 2025Public Life

Redditch Youth and Community Enterprises (RYCE) Board Member

Appointed as a board member for Redditch Youth and Community Enterprises (RYCE) during a financial emergency. Provided governance and oversight to help steer the organisation back to financial stability.

November/December 2025Consulting

Social Media Growth — 1.3M Views

Achieved 1.3M views for a client's Facebook page through improved video output and post timings. Follower growth from 4,600 to 9,700 in 60 days, without paid ads.

2025Consulting

Rule of Law Website for the Margaret Thatcher Centre

Developed a website for the Margaret Thatcher Centre focused on promoting the rule of law and related initiatives.

September 2024Public Life

Founding Officer - Great British PAC (Political Action Committee)

Co-founded the Great British PAC, a political action committee focused on supporting candidates and causes aligned with our values. Responsible for technology.

2024Public Life

Active Travel Level 1 Ranking

As Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, moved Worcestershire from Level 0 to Level 1 Active Travel ranking, unlocking additional government funding.

2023 - PresentTechnology

Software Developer — Bluetorch Consulting

Founded Bluetorch Consulting Ltd. Began designing and building core operational systems for national political organisations.

September 2023Public Life

Formerly opened Worcestershire Parkway Station

Invited to formally open Worcestershire Parkway Station, a major new transport hub for the region, in recognition of my work to support the railways as Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport and board member for West Midlands Rail Executive where I advocated for greater revenue protection at the county's stations and held the Mayor of the West Midlands and Chief Executive of West Midlands Rail accountable on behalf of Worcestershire.

July 2023People

Met Betty Webb, WWII Code Breaker

Had the honor of meeting Betty Webb, a renowned WWII code breaker, and discussed her experiences and contributions during the war.

March 2023Public Life

Inaugurated 'Sir Edward Elgar' Locomotive 196004

Had the honor of attending the inauguration of the 'Sir Edward Elgar' Locomotive 196004 at Shrub Hill Station, celebrating the legacy of the famous composer and the region's railway heritage.

2023Public Life

Active Travel Stakeholder Forum

Established the first Active Travel stakeholder forum for Worcestershire, bringing together cycle groups, walkers, equestrian interests, the Canals & Rivers Trust and the County Council.

2022 - 2024Public Life

Cabinet Member for Highways & Transport

Appointed Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport for Worcestershire County Council.

2022Public Life

Royal Marines Concert — Church Hill

Facilitated a performance by The Band of Her Majesty's Royal Marines Portsmouth in a residential area, navigating road closures, fee waivers and council bureaucracy to make it happen.

2021 - 2025Public Life

Elected to Worcestershire County Council

Elected to Worcestershire County Council, representing the local community and contributing to council decisions and policies.

2021 - 2022Public Life

Portfolio Holder for Finance & Enabling Services

Appointed Portfolio Holder for Finance & Enabling Services for Redditch Borough Council. Oversaw the council's finance, HR, IT and corporate services. Led the council's financial recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, achieving a balanced budget, minimising council tax increases and maintaining investment in parks and open spaces.

2021Public Life

New Play Area for Redditch's Flagship Park

Oversaw the development of a new play area in Redditch's flagship park, enhancing recreational facilities for the community. Included a nine meter high tree house play structure, the tallest in the country.

2020 - 2021Public Life

Deputy Leader of Redditch Borough Council

Appointed Deputy Leader of Redditch Borough Council. Led the council's recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, including community outreach and public health communications.

2020Public Life

Office Manager — Jeremy Wright QC MP

Began working as Office Manager for the Rt Hon Sir Jeremy Wright QC MP, former Attorney General and Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport.

September 2019Public Life

Restored the Redditch Carnival

Played a crucial role in restoring the Redditch Carnival, bringing the community together and reviving a cherished local tradition.

2019 - 2021Public Life

Portfolio Holder for Leisure & Culture

Appointed Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Culture for Redditch Borough Council. Oversaw the council's leisure centres, parks, events and cultural services. Re-established a link with Royal Enfield Motorcycles, leading to a pop-up retail experience, public artwork and a future planned festival. Oversaw the council's leisure and open spaces response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

2019Technology

Account Manager — 4 Roads Ltd

Established a new account management function. Listed the firm on G-Cloud 11 and built a pipeline worth over £500,000.

2018 - 2022Public Life

Elected to Redditch Borough Council

Won the Church Hill ward seat on Redditch Borough Council by a single vote.

2015Technology

IT Consultant & Expert Witness

Helped secure the conviction of someone who falsely accused a serving soldier. Provided expert testimony to the High Court using a ground-breaking technical method.

2012Technology

ASP.NET Developer

Delivered features on financial platforms, fleet management systems and customer-facing applications at GKN, IRESS and RunYourFleet.

2006 - 2009Technology

Head of Technology — 18 Doughty Street Talk TV

Responsible for keeping Britain's first internet-based TV station on air every night. Shortlisted for an award by The New Statesman Magazine.

2005Technology

Parliamentary Campaign Websites

Designed, built and managed websites for three Parliamentary Candidates for the General Election.