What does your job entail?
I am responsible for day-to-day services delivery, which involves supporting all the council’s IT systems – 1,400 desktops, 300 servers and its phone systems – and overseeing connections to 40 sites. I’m also the main liaison point for our major software and hardware suppliers.

What was your first job?
My life in IT began in the mid-90s when I got a job as a desktop support engineer at a computer dealership based in Southampton.

How did you get into IT?
I started a BA in systems analysis at Bristol, although I left in the second year to pursue my passion for hardware and software support.

What are the biggest IT challenges you face?
Meeting the ongoing challenges of being greener. Ensuring that our IT systems can continue to support the business – now and in the future – is also a key focus for me. The need to deliver more return for less investment also means I have to keep abreast of developments in the technology market.

What keeps you up at night?
Ensuring we maintain security levels is one of the biggest issues I have. This element of my role also demands that the whole business understands the need for IT security and adheres to the IT best practice standards that we have introduced.

Which IT qualifications have proved most useful to you in your career?
Prince2 and Itil qualifications are a must for any ICT services manager because they provide the basis for support – I have undertaken both tracks in recent years. Good solid man-management training is also essential if you are to get the most from your staff.

Which IT vendor has had the most influence over your career?
I guess that would have to be Microsoft because of its dominance in the market place. Although in recent years both VMware and Commvault have been pivotal, with groundbreaking products.

What has been the most over-hyped technology in the past five years?
Windows ME And ZIP drives.