What does your job entail?
I am responsible for the IT operations, helpdesk and trading floor support teams
What was your first job?
My first job was working as an office junior at a stockbroker firm,
learning the different aspects of stocks, shares and trading.
How did you get into IT?
This was thrust upon me really. When at the stockbrokers, I always
wanted to work on the trading floor, as the traders with their cars and
champagne lunches were very impressive to a 17-year-old. The company purchased a
Wang VS 80 mainframe and as I had a computer-related qualification, the director
turned to me and said, “Here you go, you’re in charge”. I blame him for
everything.
If you weren’t in IT, what would you be doing?
At heart, I always wanted to be a professional footballer and at 13 was offered
a contract while playing on holiday in Cyprus, but I turned it down.
Have you got a mobile device, and if so, how often do you check your
email?
I carry a BlackBerry and mobile phone and am contactable 24 hours. I
check my BlackBerry less now than I did at first, as it can become a little
addictive.
What is the most ridiculous support request you’ve had from a user?
Years ago we received a call from the trading floor that a user’s cup
holder had become damaged and cracked. Trying to remain professional during what
could only be described as a very confusing conversation, the helpdesk assigned
a desktop analyst to go and investigate. Let’s just say that the CD drive on the
PC was never used as a cup holder again.
Who is or has been the most influential IT vendor?
Microsoft. If you look at its installed base within companies and homes, it’s
quite staggering.
What keeps you awake at nights?
My IT operations guys who call me when the end-of-day batches go wrong.
Is now a good time for people to enter the IT profession?
Absolutely, IT is always changing with more and more interesting new
technologies appearing all the time.
