Protecting the country

What do you do?

I develop software for defence clients in the public sector, helping them to improve services and better protect the UK. One example of a project I’ve worked on was where I developed a tool that gives clients the ability to build their own apps and automate business processes. We take a collaborative approach to our work and there’s a real sense of community in our team in Manchester.

How did you get your job?

After school I went to university in Sheffield to study business before starting a career in recruitment, where I helped software developers into defence roles. It made me realise that was exactly what I wanted to do. I felt the jobs they were doing were solving real world problems, while helping to serve and protect the country. Before then, I’d had a stereotype of software developers in my head, and I never thought I’d be smart enough to do it. But speaking to them gave me the confidence to change track and do something I really loved. After my eureka moment, I left recruitment and took an MSc in computer science. When I graduated I worked for some other firms in software development, before joining Deloitte.

Why did you join Deloitte?

At school I loved science and was always curious about the way things worked. I also enjoyed spending time on my computer, figuring out how different websites worked. After studying biomedicine at university, I decided a career in medicine wasn’t for me. Instead, I started working in coding. I had no clue how computers worked when I joined, but I was learned all the processes on the job. Two and half years ago I applied to Deloitte. I was attracted to the firm because of the huge range of clients and the high quality of work they deliver.

What is your role?

I’m a software developer, working with defence clients. I help them to build applications, such as new websites, that that help them to make their business processes more efficient. For example, we might support them with a tool that allows people to share and comment on sensitive internal documents in a shared space. I also help to develop the ways our defence clients our using AI, to they can better protect the country. I really enjoy the constant problem solving that’s involved in my job, whether that’s one big challenge or lots of little ones.

What most attracted you to Deloitte?

I joined the army after university in 1991 and was part of the Royal Signals. I have always been interested in tech and was involved in numerous telecommunication projects during my time there. After 30 years in the Army, I decided it was time for a change. I wanted to put down some roots with my family and focus on work/life balance. Having worked with private sector clients for many years already, I was approached by quite a few contacts when I said I was leaving. Deloitte had an excellent reputation and I felt there was lots of scope for development in the defence sector. I also wanted to be at a place that I felt had good people around me, and it felt like the right fit culturally.

How do you feel Deloitte supports flexible working?

I’ve taken on a flexible position, working four days every other week. This gives me the time I need to support my family, while allowing me to make a positive impact at the firm. After working solidly so long and being sent off anywhere, I wanted a bit more control over my work and life. Now I can work from home, pick up my children from school or go to an event with them and then start work again. It also leaves me more time to care for elderly parents and pursue hobbies, including coaching an under 12s hockey team at the weekends. Whatever your situation, Deloitte encourages people to maintain a healthy work/life balance and build a career that works for you. For some people that might be clocking off at 3pm to pick up children, for others it might mean taking sabbaticals or secondments.