About Ben

Hi! I’m Ben Wolfenden, the founder and director of Wolf Innovations.

This page is a long-winded version of my journey so far, with some personal information to show I’m not just a data-obsessed robot!
If you want to skip the story: read my CV.

I’ve been working in cloud data since graduating from Durham University in 2021 with a Masters in Mathematical Sciences. My studies covered everything from Linear Algebra and Complex Analysis to General Relativity, Quantum Field Theory and Machine Learning. If you’re curious (and bored), you can read my Masters dissertation on neural networks.

I’ve always been passionate about solving problems. While the typical paths for maths graduates were accounting, finance, or academia, none of these sparked my interest. Then I discovered the world of data…

I was introduced to the founders of Makutu, a cloud data consultancy start-up, and spent an (unpaid!) summer working on data science, ETL, and visualisation projects in the Microsoft data ecosystem. Hooked by the experience, I joined Makutu after graduation.

Over the next 2-3 years, I led various consulting engagements, managing complex projects and stakeholder relationships while delivering robust technical solutions. My clients spanned utilities, infrastructure, finance and retail, giving me hands-on experience across the full data lifecycle. I worked extensively with Azure Synapse, ADF, SQL Server, Databricks, and Power BI, earning eight Microsoft certifications, including the Microsoft Solutions Architect Expert (AZ-305).

I then joined Red Flag Alert as Lead Data Engineer, spearheading the development of a modern data platform as part of the company’s digital modernisation initiative. This involved migrating complex legacy logic from on-premises SQL Server environments to Microsoft Fabric, enabling scalable, cloud-native analytics and streamlined data operations.

While at Red Flag Alert, I was approached to become the Head of Data Engineering at CHEC, a national healthcare provider specialising in ophthalmology with over 30 hospitals. At CHEC, I served as lead data engineer and head of data, responsible for implementation, management and strategy. I led the adoption of Microsoft Fabric to automate manual processes, collaborating with all departments to create a central source of truth. This initiative transformed CHEC into a data-driven organisation. I led a team of five data professionals, overseeing automation and governance projects that significantly enhanced operational efficiency and decision-making.

I was born and raised in Preston, Lancashire and now live in West Didsbury, Manchester with my girlfriend.

Outside of work, I enjoy running, playing football, and attending gigs – I am a stereotypical Northerner, lover of indie rock guitar bands. I am also a Manchester United season ticket holder and enjoy (sometimes) going to games at Old Trafford. I love travelling and have been learning Spanish for several years with a tutor in Mexico.

My friends and I were in a cover band during university, and have been known to reunite on the odd occasion since. The picture here was taken at the Nunziatella (Naples military school) reunion in Seville in 2024!

What do I want to achieve with Wolf Innovations?

An in-depth answer to this can be found in my inaugural blog post: Don’t Wait for the Green Man.

I’m on an exciting journey as a young entrepreneur, and I’m thrilled – and a bit nervous – to have the opportunity to grow my own business by helping others succeed. I want to empower businesses across different sectors to unlock the power of their data and accelerate their growth.

I’m passionate about helping people and believe that data can transform businesses when used effectively. My mission is to share this enthusiasm, making the journey enjoyable and inspiring for everyone involved.

And of course, have fun along the way!