1. What does a typical day as CTO at IDR entail?
There probably isn’t a “normal” day here! With an ever-evolving product and market there is always something new or different going on.
We have a great tech team at IDR and while I’m definitely not a micromanager, with a global footprint and multiple workflows on the go, checking in with the team is an important part of my day. From there I can identify where more support might be needed. As such a typical day tends to entail:
• Morning standup meetings with the team;
• Usually followed by a meeting on a high priority topic that requires my input or guidance;
• Focused work on whatever the main next strategic plan is;
• 1-1s and general team updates; and
• Client meetings – we pride ourselves on working closely with our clients. Having these regular meetings helps us to connect and work towards our strategic goals.
2. What inspired you to get into tech and how has your career evolved?
I’ve always been fascinated by computers and started coding at 10 years old! I went on to study computing at university and if I’m honest I’ve never really considered anything else. It’s great to have the opportunity to work with something that is also your passion, and when you are working in tech, you are working with likeminded people who share that common passion.
Having been a CTO for a large part of my career, I love the diversity of the role. Whilst I don’t code daily anymore, I do still enjoy writing code outside of work and for me, it’s really important to stay in touch with this.
I’ve experienced a broad range of businesses over my career, from very fast-paced startups to more mature businesses and enjoyed working at both ends of the spectrum. IDR is a great place to be as we are somewhere in the middle, still nimble and able to react to change like a startup, but with a solid product market fit and a great growth story moving into the next stage of maturity.
3. How does your background and experience building consumer facing applications help what you’re doing with IDR?
Consumers are the most discerning customers and expect a product to be seamless or they simply won’t buy from you. Successful products live and breathe great customer experience and focus on trust, simplicity and transparency.
The investor landscape is shifting in the private markets and our clients expect this same standard. You can’t win on sales alone anymore, it’s about being obsessive about CX, and that’s where I think there is growing crossover between consumer and enterprise solutions
4. What do you see as the biggest trends that will shape the future of tech in our industry?
Blockchain technology is on the brink of revolutionising this sector and bringing in huge efficiencies across the board.
The advancements in AI over the last few years too have been staggering and this is already having a big impact on how we work and how we can work more effectively.
The future of tech is very exciting and we are at the beginning of a digital revolution.
5. What is a moment/experience you’ve had that made a big impact on who you are today?
I used to be an extreme sports fan, kitesurfing, snowboarding and cycling, however I had a life changing injury a few years ago from which I was fortunate to come away walking and able to continue living a relatively normal life. So that was really a bit of a watershed moment for me.
Prior to the accident, I was a workaholic working 6-7 days a week. The experience gave me the wake up call I needed to ensure that I have a good balance between work, family and health and has also made me more conscientious about how I work and what I spend my time on.
6. What advice do you have for people looking to start a career in tech?
Do what you have a passion for. You spend at least a 1/3rd of your life working and if you are passionate about what you do, it makes life a lot more fulfilling.
When I got into tech, developers were not cool, tech was geeky, and there wasn’t the plethora of jobs there are today.
The next digital revolution that is happening now will change the future of work again, meaning the sort of jobs that are in high demand today will shift tomorrow. So focus on your passion first, and with grit and determination you will find a way to turn this into a profession.
7. What do you enjoy doing when you’re not working?
I enjoy spending time with family and friends and when not doing that I’m a keen cyclist.
