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 LifeConsulting
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.

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.

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.

2023Technology

Software Developer — Bluetorch Consulting

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

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.

2022Public 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.

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.

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.

2018Public 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.

2006Technology

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.