Meet Chris
Senior experience. Hands-on delivery.
I'm Chris Patten, the person behind Headway. I led technology as VP, IT and CIO from 1998 to 2016, then built and sold my own company. Now I help business owners make technology decisions, implement the work and keep it pointed at their goals. No software to sell.
Based in Simcoe County.
Big-picture judgment. Hands-on follow-through.
I connect the business goal to the details that make it happen. I can work with ownership on direction, then work alongside staff to understand the process, resolve technical problems and move delivery forward.
From 1998 to 2016, I served as VP, IT and CIO at a medical device company, helping support its growth from $1M to $69M in revenue. That was a company-wide result, with my contribution focused on technology leadership.
At that same company, I led the technology team that built a product which generated over $100M in cumulative revenue from 2001 to 2016. I also led IT due diligence on nine acquisitions and their integration into the portfolio.
My experience spans small business owners and private equity ownership groups. From 2017 to 2023 I built and sold a medical device company of my own. My finance and accounting background shapes how I approach decisions: understand the cost, the operational impact and the outcome before choosing the tool.
Two companies. Eighteen years, then my own.
Career experience behind the work I do with you.
1998–2016
One medical device company, eighteen years. VP, IT and then CIO, with technology leadership while revenue grew from $1M to $69M. I led the team that built a product generating over $100M in cumulative revenue, and led IT diligence on nine acquisitions and their integration into the portfolio.
2017–2023
My own medical device company. I founded it, built it and sold it.
Company revenue growth and cumulative product revenue are different measures. Both involved wider teams.
Why Headway, why here
I live in Simcoe County. I am building a local business on purpose, serving Collingwood, Wasaga Beach, The Blue Mountains, Clearview, Barrie, Orillia, Midland and Owen Sound.
Many local businesses need senior technology judgment without a full-time executive hire. I work alongside owners, staff and existing suppliers, with independent advice and clear responsibility for the work we agree.
No software to sell. I do not resell licences, I do not take referral fees from vendors, and the accounts and work I build for you are in your name. The recommendation you get is the one that fits.
How I work
- Start with your priorities
- The free hour is a chance to discuss your biggest pain points, see whether I can help and explore a high-level direction.
- Agree before starting
- Scope, price, responsibilities and acceptance criteria are agreed before paid work begins. Where the approach needs proving, we can start with a paid pilot.
- Work alongside your team
- I listen to the people who know the business and introduce changes with them. AI tools support my research, building and testing; I remain accountable for reviewing the work and the agreed result.
Your project. A clear plan. No chasing for updates.
We agree how you will see the plan, status, responsibilities and timeline, including whether a dedicated project workspace is needed. Once we agree priorities and understand the dependencies, we set milestones and target dates. I help drive that timeline alongside your staff and suppliers.
I follow established project management practices, scaled to the work. We review progress at an agreed cadence, raise blockers early and agree any changes to scope or dates. Tested work, documentation and a clear handover are part of the delivery plan.
Your tools. Your choice.
I look at open-source options first when choosing tools for your business. Where they fit, they can give you more control over your data, flexibility to change providers and less dependence on a single vendor.
The decision comes down to the full cost and the fit: hosting, maintenance, security, support and how your team will use the tool. When a commercial product is the better choice, I will recommend it and explain why. You keep ownership of your accounts and data, with a clear understanding of the costs and commitments.
Direct accountability. Specialist support when needed.
You work directly with me. I draw on a broad network of experienced specialists when a project needs additional expertise or capacity, and I remain accountable for coordinating the agreed work.
My availability is structured around contractual commitments. For engagements that need continuity coverage, we agree on backup arrangements, access and escalation before relying on them. I live in Simcoe County and work across the region; long-term relationships matter to me, and clear commitments are how I earn them.