IFSDG: How long have you worked in your
Redspire
?
Greg: I've been with Redspire for just over
eight months, where I work as a Junior Business Analyst on their
Graduate Apprentice programme, studying towards a BA (Hons) in
Business Studies
IFSDG: How many people work at
Redspire?
Greg: There are currently
just under forty of us though with rapid expansion plans and an
ever-growing client list, that number is growing fast!
IFSDG: What is the vision for
Redspire in Glasgow?
Greg: Redspire aims to be -
and is well on the way to becoming - the number one CRM and
Microsoft business applications consultancy in the UK. We're the
go-to partner for digital transformation for Financial Services
organisations, not just in Glasgow - where some of our partners and
clients like CYBG and Golden Charter are based - but across the
rest of the UK too. Our vision helps financial services firms
create business flows that don't just improve internal operations
but completely revolutionises how their customers bank, save,
borrow, buy, interact and transact.
As well as our work in the local business community, we've also
signed the Microsoft Pledge, which aims to reduce the digital
skills gap and create a strong pool of digital talent entering the
workplace. My Graduate Apprenticeship position is testament to
that!
IFSDG: What's a typical day for you?
Greg: I tend to get in the office around
8:15am, throw together a smoothie from the free office supply and
get to my desk to catch up on emails before our 9am delivery team
stand up. This meeting, along with a one to one with the project
manager right after sets the tone for the whole day. I spend the
morning on daily reporting, resourcing and billing before lunch.
It's a young, friendly team in Redspire, so lunch is usually with a
colleague somewhere in the IFSD district. The afternoon is usually
reactive, with ad-hoc client and project work that require my focus
for the rest of the day.
IFSDG: Why did Redspire
choose to locate in the IFSD in Glasgow?
Greg: I had to ask the operations team this as
I obviously wasn't part of that decision, however they confirmed
what I'd thought. It's a great location with some of the best
office spaces, it's right in the heart of the city where many of
our clients are based and there are great transport links to our
clients in other Financial Services hubs like London, Edinburgh,
Leeds and Manchester.
IFSDG: Three good things about working
in Glasgow?
Greg: For me, being able to access the graduate
apprenticeship via Redspire and study at one of the UK's leading
universities. I'm not sure I'd have that opportunity if I didn't
live in a big city like Glasgow.
I also love that it's a vibrant place to live and that there's
always something going on, whether it's a concert or a training
event. Some amazing Microsoft grassroots events have happened here
recently, like D365 Saturday, where I got to learn directly from
some of the biggest names in the Microsoft space.
Lastly, there are plenty of amazing places to eat and drink,
which like a lot of sociable Glaswegians, is important to me!
IFSDG: What is your biggest business achievement
to date?
Greg: Being involved in project work and
producing workflows, documentation and reports on high six figure
projects that really make a difference to our clients' operations,
as well as sitting on the working group that implemented new
processes for how projects are created and delivered through the
Redspire Project Lifecycle (RPL). These are dream projects for me
and I still get excited that I get to gain a Business BA, whilst
working on both client work and internal business flows that have
long term impact.
IFSDG: What is the best investment you ever
made?
Greg: It's a bit clichéd, but my biggest
investment so far has been my time. Applying for Redspire, being
able to study at Strathclyde and gain on the job experience on a
demanding graduate scheme has been incredible. However, it hasn't
been without hard work, sacrifice and lots of focus. It's a
demanding workload and good time management skills are required to
balance work and studying. However, being able to work with clients
like Money and Pensions Services, Skills Development Scotland and
Civil Aviation Authority and gain on the job skills is the massive
payoff to that.
Working in tech in a business that makes a real difference to
clients and their customers, and the opportunities provided by the
Microsoft Gold Partner relationship is pretty much my dream job so
the hard work is worth it.
IFSDG: Which businessperson or company do you most
admire and why?
Greg: Tesla, for their environmental impact and
commitment to making electric cars mainstream. Without them, this
might not have happened for another 30 years.
IFSDG: What did you want to be when you were a
child?
Greg: Like lots of young kids, I wanted to be a
footballer!
IFSDG: What do you do to relax away from the
office?
Greg: I enjoy going to watch the football with
my Dad or going to the gym. I ran a half marathon recently - maybe
can make that a full marathon soon!
IFSDG: I-Phone or Android?
Greg: iPhone
IFSDG: Favourite band?
Greg: The Courteeners
IFSDG: Favourite sport?
Greg: Football
IFSDG: Favourite movie?
Greg: Gladiator
IFSDG: Sunshine or snow?
Greg: Sunshine
IFSDG: and finally, what three words sum you
up?
Greg: Competitive, driven, reliable