Liberty IT recently launched a new Culture Playbook celebrating what makes the company truly unique - its people. As part of this, they’ve launched a Culture Stars programme which reflects the belief that ‘the product is tech, the power is people’, a principle that sits at the core of everything the company does.
Culture Stars is a peer-selected recognition programme, inviting employees to nominate others who exemplify what makes Liberty IT a special place to work – the everyday champions who reflect the company’s culture and role models of what it means to lead with empathy, think creatively and uplift others.
Two of the first Culture Stars are Shannon Clarke and Andrew Hamilton.
Shannon is an Associate Software Engineer who joined Liberty IT in 2021 as a scholarship student, completing an eight week placement followed by a yearlong internship, before returning full time after graduation.
Andrew Hamilton is an Apprentice Software Engineer and is currently in his third year of a four year apprenticeship programme. He works four days a week at Liberty IT and spends one day a week studying for a part time Computing Systems degree at Ulster University.
Tell me about your journey to Liberty IT - what was it that attracted you to apply for their programmes?
Shannon - From the start, it was clear that the company invested in its early talent through scholarships and apprenticeships, and this to me signalled that it would be a place where I could genuinely grow.
Every placement reinforced that with real responsibility, supportive mentors and meaningful work. I’m thriving here and the graduate pathway felt like a natural continuation of that growth.
Andrew - I was in sixth form completing my UCAS application while listening to music, when an advert came on featuring Liberty IT’s Apprenticeship programme.
After looking into it I thought that it sounded like a great opportunity to get hands-on experience by working as a software engineer for a Fortune 500 company, while completing my degree at the same time. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed all of it so far and I feel like I have had the best of both worlds with the theory of university with the practical experience from the industry.
The recent launch of Liberty IT’s new Culture Playbook and Culture Stars programme promotes the belief that ‘the product is tech, the power is people’. What does that mean to you in your day-to-day work?
Shannon - To me, it means our best work happens because of how we work together. Day-to-day, that looks like team mates who pair on tickets, willingly jump in to help and create space to learn, experiment and share knowledge. There’s a real emphasis on support and psychological safety, so you feel comfortable asking questions, exploring new ideas and bringing others along with you. The tech is the result, but the people make it possible.
Andrew - To me it promotes the idea that technology and all the amazing innovations that have come with it will change the world, but it's the people behind the technology that are the ones that are truly pushing the boundaries. It has been very exciting to see this innovation first-hand and I look forward to seeing what the future holds in the industry.
How does the team dynamic at Liberty IT compare to group work you experienced during your studies?
Shannon - Group work in university can vary a lot in commitment and collaboration. At Liberty IT, the dynamic is consistently strong. There is shared ownership, clear communication, and a genuine willingness to help each other succeed. Everyone is aligned on outcomes, and strong, consistent practices like pairing, code reviews and regular check-ins keep us connected and effective in a way that’s very different from most student projects.
Andrew - As a part-time student, at university I usually work with other students that have full-time jobs and commitments. I find that group work tends to be broken up and delegated at the start of the project and accumulated at the end of the project. However, at work at Liberty IT, I find there is more opportunity to get feedback from others, pair on work and truly be part of a team. This ongoing collaboration not only improves communication across the team but also creates an environment where learning and knowledge sharing happens naturally.
How do you think recognition programmes like Culture Stars impact team morale and motivation?
Shannon - A programme like Culture Stars make a real difference. Being recognised felt incredibly rewarding and colleagues congratulating me around the office created such a strong sense of belonging. It’s motivating to see your efforts noticed and to know you’re on the right path. Beyond the individual boost, it reinforces the mindsets we value as a company, which lifts morale across the board.
Andrew - I think it helps remind everyone on the team that, no matter the experience level, we all have unique ways of thinking and perspectives to bring toward delivering the technology we're developing. This encourages more team collaboration, results in a better understanding of the underlying technology and helps us to further push the limits of the technology we are working with.
In what ways has the culture influenced how you approach problem-solving and collaboration?
Shannon - Liberty IT’s culture normalises asking for help, taking time to learn and collaborating to get to the best solution. I know that if I’m stuck, I can reach out without hesitation, pair with someone, or carve out time to deepen my understanding before tackling the problem again. Collaboration is built into how we work, which leads to faster, more effective problem-solving and better outcomes.
Andrew - The culture has shown me that everyone has different experiences and areas of expertise and has shown me the importance of knowledge sharing and asking questions. This has helped me get a wide range of experience in many different areas of expertise. It has also helped me understand not just how something works, but also the reasoning behind why that particular approach was taken.
How does Liberty IT support your personal development alongside your technical skills?
Shannon - I’ve always felt encouraged to pursue additional training and explore new tools or platforms. That support, whether it’s time to learn, access to courses, or guidance from mentors, builds confidence and capability. Importantly, I get to bring that learning back to the team and apply it directly in my work, which accelerates both my growth and our delivery.
Andrew - Liberty IT has massively supported my growth both as an engineer and as an individual. I have learned so much both personally and professionally from being able to work in the industry while completing my bachelor's degree. I’ve significantly benefitted from the upskilling schemes that Liberty IT has provided. For example, I was able to use Liberty IT’s educational resources to become a Certified AWS Cloud Practitioner.
Related:Building enterprise GenAI infrastructure: Lessons from Liberty IT's digital transformation
What advice would you give to future graduates or apprentices about thriving in Liberty IT's culture?
Shannon - Say yes to opportunities, be curious and get involved. Reach out to people, ask questions and build relationships across teams. Share what you learn, collaborate and lean into the values that make Liberty IT special. If you actively contribute to the culture, it will help you grow and you’ll help keep that culture alive for others too.
Andrew - To future apprentices I would recommend taking every opportunity you can and be willing to step outside of your comfort zone. Liberty IT's culture encourages continuous learning and growth, so don't hesitate to ask questions, seek feedback and explore new technologies. An apprenticeship is all about learning so take every opportunity you can get in both work and in your degree.
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