How were you introduced to Quorum?

I already knew the wonderful Mr French through SQL Bits. We co-hosted the podcast and are both “Bits Buddies”, helpers who are dedicated specifically to SQLBits goers who might want a bit of extra company and support.

Rob knew I was looking for a new role and told me that Quorum was a really nice place to be. Quorum happened to have an opening for a DBA and so he passed on my details to James Frost and it all went from there. I had a nice chat with Jackie (Begbie, Quorum’s Recruitment Manager) and got the feeling that Quorum are a decent employer.

Tell us a bit more about your team.

So, I’m a senior DBA in the Data Team.

For a start, I think it helps that we’re all a bit crazy and I think that kind of makes it work! We all have a good laugh together and tease one another, but at the same time it’s such a supportive environment. The team are 100% there for one another. We’re friends as well as colleagues and not in a forced way, our personalities just get on really well.

In terms of my role, the autonomy is great. I’m trusted to get on with my role and to make improvements where I see the opportunity for them. Our communication is very good and that helps us work together well.

Tell us about your first six months?

I’ve worked across quite a lot of projects such as Azure SQL migrations to the cloud, SQL audits, and performance tuning. It’s been interesting working with clients too and building up those relationships.

My big interest and focus is on developing our processes and procedures for the data area of our Managed Service. We’re thankfully already in a good position, but I’ve been looking at ways to make things even more effective and to future proof the service. It’s only going to grow and so we need to be scalable and ready for that.

Outside of billable work, i’ve had the opportunity to attend events and speak at groups as well as mentoring other members of the team. It’s great to be involved with such a lot of stuff.

Any notable moments from your first 6 months?

One of my earliest visits up to Edinburgh for the company AGM. I checked into my hotel and was happily in bed when two separate people let themselves into my room!! After a few confused words were exchanged, it turns out I was in the wrong location and should have been in another of their hotels across town!

What advice would you give to anyone considering joining Quorum?

Do it. Simple as that!

It’s an environment where you can thrive, where learning is supported, and team ethic comes before anything else, which is nice.

I think that’s key in Quorum, you could be the best person in the world at your job, but if you’re not a nice person or a team player, you just wouldn’t make the cut.

What would you like to achieve over the next six months?

My main aim is to facilitate getting more Managed Service customers on-board.

I’m also interested in product development and enjoy working on developing repeatable services that will be of optimum benefit to our clients. I’ve had some good experience elsewhere in creating services that clients can easily integrate into their business and will bring cost savings etc. so I’d like to use those skills in Quorum too!