Here at Central, people are at the heart of the ‘how’ and ‘why’ of everything we do.

We started out on our IT journey back in 1991, and our mission and ethos haven’t changed. We’re a family-run firm that pride ourselves on our integrity, honesty, and objectivity – and we make IT stress free by keeping it as simple as possible.

But it’s our people who make this all possible. Get to know them more in our staff spotlight.

Name: Andrew Walker
Job title: Technical Engineer
Department: Engineering

Sum up your role at Central in one sentence:

A very technical, hands-on role. whether I’m travelling across the country to attend customer sites and perform new instals and implementations, or assisting the service desk with specialist queries — I’m always keen to get involved.

What three words would your colleagues use to describe you?

Knowledgeable. Helpful. Enthusiastic.

And what do you enjoy most about your job?

The variety – no two days are ever the same. I don’t think I could sit behind the same desk day in and day out. From visiting different places and meeting new people to experiencing new situations and surroundings, the sense of diversity in my role is truly fulfilling.

Check your phone, what was the last emoji you sent?

Three laughing emojis — 😂😂😂.

Who was or is your biggest inspiration?

My son. He is the sweetest, most charming, and funniest little boy (doesn’t every parent say that about their kids!). He makes me so proud every day, and I hope he looks up to me like I look up to him (literally… he’s seven and nearly as tall as me!).

You’re hosting a three-course dinner party, what’s on the menu?

Nachos with sour cream and salsa dips for starter, homemade spaghetti bolognese — topped with mature cheddar cheese and paired with fresh garlic bread — for main, and apple crumble and ice cream for dessert.

Back to Central, what makes the company stand out?

We’re big enough to cope, but small enough to care. Everyone at Central works very closely together, with the ultimate goal of supporting our clients with their overarching IT and tech needs. We’re a group of likeminded professionals, and the enthusiasm and commitment that we all share is second to none. We get to know our customers very well and do everything we can to make them feel like more than just a ticket.

Tell us a fun fact about yourself we might not know:

I’ve been featured in the newspaper twice, and been on TV once — although not for the same reason.

What would the title of your autobiography be?

Life is a rollercoaster and we’re all here for the ride.

Central’s mission is to ‘restore faith in IT’ – tell us more about what this means to you:

IT is such a minefield, and with so many different fields under the same umbrella, it can be difficult to manage and control every aspect. The skillset of Central’s engineers and broad experience of working with so many different organisations allows us to recommend products and solutions to suit their bespoke requirements perfectly.

The customer no longer has to spend time researching and testing different products to find one that may fit. They can be confident in our ability to provide a solution and present it in a way that instils them with confidence, and allows them instead to focus on truly revenue-generating tasks internally. 

If you’d like to receive more news and updates from the Central team, why not head over to our Twitter page or connect with us on LinkedIn?

It’s no secret that the tech sector is facing increasing pressure on the employment front – not least because of the national IT skills shortage. 

But with custom learning routes available via apprenticeship programmes, organisations can not only help bridge the gap by enhancing recruitment options, but facilitate the ideation of fresh knowledge and perspectives too. 

Here at Central HQ, we’ve had a scheme dedicated to nurturing tomorrow’s talent since 2009 – set up by our very own client director, Mike Dunleavy.

And because we’re so proud of our apprentices’ willingness to dig deep and develop their expertise, and understand the impact they can have on a team first-hand, we’re keen to showcase and celebrate each and every one of them. Amidst the annual National Apprenticeship Week campaign, running from 6-10 February, this feels a particularly timely installment of this series, too. 

So, next up, it’s our help desk support officer, Finlay Grady. Take it away, Finlay…

Why did you choose a career in the IT and tech sector?

I was interested in tech from a young age — particularly gaming — and I was always keen to get involved in the ‘build side’ of this space. Whilst not exactly the same, following the IT and tech route has a similar ‘hands on’ appeal for me.

Why was an apprenticeship the right choice for you?

I’ve never been the biggest fan of academic work, so I wanted to go down a more practical route to develop my skill set.

And how did you first find out about Central’s apprenticeship programme?

In 2021, I approached an agency to help me find the best-fit employer, and they secured me an interview with Central. The rest is history!

What made Central stand out from other employers?

The opportunity the team was offering seemed more aligned with what I wanted, in terms of the scope of work, ‘on the ground’ experience, and overall culture of the organisation.

I’d previously been offered a social media marketing position at another company, but it just wasn’t technical enough for me.

Sum up your role in three words:

Varied. Teamwork. Resolution.

Can you tell us what a typical working day looks like for you?

As a help desk support officer, I’m largely responsible for responding to tickets that require first-line resolution. This could be anything from time-sensitive security concerns and general technical difficulties, to setting up new devices and resetting passwords.

Finish the sentence – the biggest misconception surrounding apprenticeships is…

That it’s a ‘cop out route’. Of course, it’s different to traditional university education, but there are so many qualifications available via apprenticeships.

What’s more, you’re able to get stuck straight into applied, real-life examples — working on something with a purpose, rather than being cooped up in a classroom. It sounds clichéd, but it’s great to feel like part of a team too.

What’s the most valuable skill you’ve learnt so far?

I couldn’t pinpoint anything specific, because I’ve learnt so much during the programme. But I’m so much more technically skilled than I was at the beginning — and understand such a vast and varied scope of work now.

How do you see your career path developing?

In all honesty, having only completed my apprenticeship in December, I’m not sure where my path will take me. And that’s okay!

As with any industry, there are so many aspects to the IT landscape, that it feels difficult to make a decision now. However, I’m enjoying what I do right now, and look forward to seeing my role develop organically, as and when the time is right.

Finally, do you have any advice for would-be apprentices?

Don’t doubt your abilities, or whether the path is the right one to follow — if you want to do an apprenticeship, just go for it. There are so many options out there, so there will be something for everyone, at any age or stage in their career.

If you’re keen to speak to Central about upcoming opportunities for apprentices or more generally, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. 

Here at Central, people are at the heart of the ‘how’ and ‘why’ of everything we do.

We started out on our IT journey back in 1991, and our mission and ethos haven’t changed. We’re a family-run firm that pride ourselves on our integrity, honesty, and objectivity – and we make IT stress free by keeping it as simple as possible.

But it’s our people who make this all possible. Get to know them more in our staff spotlight.

Name: John Dillnutt
Job title: Purchasing Manager
Department: Purchasing

Sum up your role at Central in one sentence:

Varied – no two days are the same, and my knowledge and expertise are always at the disposal of the Central team and customers alike, whenever they need it.

What three words would your colleagues use to describe you?

I’d like to think they’d say helpful, thorough, and professional.

And what do you enjoy most about your job?

Providing an excellent service for Central colleagues and our customers – and showing just how stress-free IT can be, with the right support in place.

Check your phone, what was the last emoji you sent?

😊 – a smiley face. It’s very versatile!

Who was or is your biggest inspiration?

Stephen Hawking – he never let his health issues get in the way of his success. He achieved great things, lived life to the full, and had a wicked sense of humour – just look at The Big Bang Theory and The Simpsons!

You’re hosting a three-course dinner party, what’s on the menu?

For starters, it would be scallops on a bed of crushed, minted peas, then a huge mixed grill for main (veggies beware!), and a homemade apple pie with ice cream for dessert.

Back to Central, what makes the company stand out?

Here at Central, we offer a friendly approach to put our clients at ease, in what can often be a daunting topic. We keep it simple and fuss-free, and get under the skin of organisations to provide a tailor-made package of products and services that meets their exact needs.

Tell us a fun fact about yourself we might not know:

I was lucky enough to have been chosen by the Football Association (FA) to officiate on a round of 16 game in the FA Vase back in 2018 – Stockton Town FC vs Stourport Swifts FC.

What would the title of your autobiography be?

‘Things Happen for A Reason – They Make You the Person You Are!’

Central’s mission is to ‘restore faith in IT’ – tell us more about what this means to you:

For me, it centres around the word ‘trust’. IT is such a substantial outlay for all organisations, and there needs to be confidence that an MSP can provide the most suitable solution for their circumstances.

Central have seen the full digital transformation from on-prem to cloud over its 30 years of operation. This speaks volumes – not only highlighting that we understand the industry inside out, but also showing how we have nurtured many clients through their IT journeys over the years.

If you’d like to receive more news and updates from the Central team, why not head over to our Twitter page or connect with us on LinkedIn?

Here at Central, people are at the heart of the ‘how’ and ‘why’ of everything we do.

We started out on our IT journey back in 1991, and our mission and ethos haven’t changed. We’re a family-run firm that pride ourselves on our integrity, honesty, and objectivity – and we make IT stress free by keeping it as simple as we can.

But it’s our people who make all of this possible. Get to know them a little better in our staff spotlight.

Name: Vicki Coleman
Job title: Operations Assistant
Department: Operations 

Sum up your role at Central in one sentence:

I transform orders from purchasing into full project plans and book in the engineers to carry out any works required. 

What three words would your colleagues use to describe you?

That’s a hard one as I am still relatively new, but I would hope helpful, funny, and probably old!

And what do you enjoy most about your job?

I am learning new things all the time, but I think the best thing is the people – I’ve been made to feel like part of the team since day one.

Check your phone, what was the last emoji you sent?

Dog Paws – 🐾. I have two Springers that I adore.

Who was, or is, your biggest inspiration?

My dad. He taught me you have to work hard for the things you want in life, which is a message I try to channel every day.

You’re hosting a three-course dinner party, what’s on the menu?

For starters, I’d have to say scallops, followed by a fillet steak – rare – with chunky chips, mushrooms, and tomatoes for main. And to top it off, I’d go for a classic vanilla cheesecake.

Back to Central, what makes the company stand out?

I would say it is definitely the people. They are a great team to work with and always go the extra mile for customers and colleagues alike, to ensure every experience is as headache-free as possible.

Tell us a fun fact about yourself we might not know:

I am a huge adrenaline junkie, and have completed over 30 bungee jumps in my time. I’m always looking for new challenges to get the excitement flowing. 

What would the title of your autobiography be?

Die with memories, not with dreams.

Central’s mission is to ‘restore faith in IT’ – tell us more about what this means to you:

I think some IT companies try to confuse customers with ‘tech talk’, but Central takes the time to explain the ins and outs of every offering – talking in layman’s terms to help bridge the gap, make IT stress-free and deliver the most appropriate solution.

If you’d like to receive more news and updates from the Central team, why not head over to our Twitter page or connect with us on LinkedIn?