Neil is a technology leader and Programme Manager at CGI, with over two decades of experience delivering complex software, cloud, and infrastructure solutions.
Here, Neil sits down with Sync NI to take part in the Tech Trailblazer challenge, sharing his journey into a career in tech, what a typical day in his role looks like, and why CGI is the perfect environment for tech professionals to thrive, innovate, and grow.
What does your typical day look like?
My typical day begins with a short stand-up meeting with my development teams to review progress and set priorities for the day ahead. This is usually followed by a catch-up with the customer programme team to ensure we’re aligned with their goals and timelines.
I set aside time each day for admin, but most of my time is spent supporting teams to translate business requirements into effective technical solutions. Anything I can do to support their work, remove blockers, or simply be available to them, has real added value.
One of my teams is based in the US, so I typically catch up with them later in the afternoon to stay in sync across time zones.
What are you currently working on?
I am currently Programme Manager for the Solutions Delivery team on the Themis Transformation Programme at NI Courts and Tribunal Service. My team is working to digitise justice and modernise the experience for both internal staff and external users of online justice systems. We are in year one of a five-year programme, and it's off to a great start.
What inspired you to join this company in particular?
CGI is a well-known, worldwide technical consultancy and provider of IT solutions at scale. They were also new to the Northern Ireland market, presenting a unique challenge, but with the support of a great organisation. It was an exciting opportunity I knew I had to take.
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Did you always want to work in this industry?
Yes, I always wanted to be in IT, but I never set out to be a Programme manager. I suspect many people in Project and Programme Management are the same.
What’s your favourite part about your work?
I get to work with lots of incredibly impressive technologists and customers who are genuinely appreciative of the expertise that we bring to their businesses. I also get the opportunity to work with computer systems that can cost up to tens of millions of pounds, which is pretty cool when you think about it.
What would you say to other people considering a job in this industry?
No matter how hard you try, you’ll never learn it all (so think carefully about where you want to build expertise, as there are lots of different areas) and the opportunities for growth are endless. Never be afraid to engage with others; it can make the difference between doing your role well and really excelling at it.
How do you see this technology impacting on our lives?
Our whole lives are built around technology, and the progress has been exponential since I was young. Tech has brought us so much good and helps in so many different ways. Digital justice will allow people to save time and money in interacting with the courts and help service external partners, such as solicitors as well.
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Who inspired you to work in this field?
My Dad, because even though he knew nothing about tech, he knew that working on something that I loved would make life a lot easier overall. He was a great support when I went to university and again, when I worked my way up through the ranks early in my career.
What do you consider to be the most important tech innovation or development in recent years?
The cloud. The sheer amount of change and opportunities that it has created for both people and businesses is astounding. It's my favourite strand of computing and the pace of change remains lightning quick. The ability to spin up 20 virtual machines for a training course in a matter of minutes (something that could have taken hours or days in “old IT”) is just fantastic.
What tech gadget could you not live without?
My iPhone. The fact that I do my talking, reading, listening, note taking, banking and a multitude of other things with it every single day would mean a very less efficient life without it.
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