Mathew Gard MBCS

‘The IT department is crucial to running the railway. Without us, the company couldn’t control the movement of trains and colleagues, plan timetables or even sell tickets’ Mathew Gard

Computing has been Mathew’s lifelong passion. From university he joined Wessex Trains, which later became First Great Western, and his career at the British train operating company has gone from strength to strength.

As First Great Western’s IT Technical Development Manager Mathew enjoys his role and knows the company’s decision to join BCS is great news for everyone. Since joining, Mathew and the team have gained access to the tools and resources they need to execute projects in the best way possible.

CASE STUDY

THE MOTIVATIONMany pursue careers in IT through a love of computers. However, few have found their passion ignited as early as Mathew. “On my first day at primary school, I sneaked into Class 4 and played with the BBC B computer. I didn’t know what it was. But I learned very quickly not to press the ‘Break’ key. Ever since, I’ve loved all things computer related. So IT was my only choice of career.”

From school, Mathew became a Business Information Technology student at Portsmouth University and after graduating in 2003, he started work at Wessex Trains. However, rather than working with a screen, he found himself looking through one. “I worked in the booking office, selling train tickets.”

Moving from booking office to IT was relatively easy for Mathew. “One day, the IT manager came in and we started talking. I told him about my degree and asked for a job. Two months later, a role was created for me as an IT technician.”

Taking on more design and implementation responsibilities, Mathew progressed rapidly. When First Great Western won the rail franchise in 2006, hard work and great knowledge led to promotion to his current role.

THE JOURNEYIn his role as IT Technical Development Manager, Mathew working with the Head Of IT, manages relationships with suppliers, making sure their service level agreements are robust and manageable. He also identifies new technologies that make First Great Western’s journeys even smoother.

Solving problems is the most rewarding part of Mathew’s job. In February 2014, winter storms damaged part of a sea wall in Dawlish, Devon. Waves crashing over the wall left Cornwall and much of Devon without train services to the rest of the UK. Mathew and the team played a vital part in getting everything back on track.

“We helped implement a system that provided live information on replacement bus loading and departure times. The system was up and running within three days of the waves damaging the wall. We also set up a web screen which provided passengers at smaller stations with departure information. It was so successful that First Great Western has implemented the system for all planned engineering works.”

For Mathew, the project highlights the importance of teamwork: “The IT department is crucial to running the railway. Without us, the company couldn’t control the movement of trains and colleagues, plan timetables or even sell tickets.”

THE BENEFITSThe future’s bright for Mathew and the team. In September 2014, First Great Western partnered with BCS to provide the IT team with Organisational Membership. Mathew feels it speaks volumes of the company’s commitment to quality. “Our membership confirms that First Great Western is keen to use the best tools and resources to get the job done. It should also help us improve standards in a uniform way.”

As Mathew explains, the team is already seeing the benefits of membership: “We can use BCS as a resource when researching best practice for projects. It also provides a source of materials for the team’s Continuing Professional Development (CPD). Just as importantly, the membership ensures we’re recognised as IT professionals of the highest quality.”

Ultimately, BCS membership adds weight to a career that’s always been Mathew’s passion. “It’s about doing something you love. Working hard and getting results are the best ways to build a fulfilling career and receive recognition from peers and management. For those considering applying for BCS membership, I say, go for it. There’s a lot more to joining BCS than being able to put letters after your name.”

BCS The Chartered Institute for IT First Floor Block D North Star House North Star Avenue Swindon SN2 1FAT +44 (0) 1793 417 424 Online enquiries www.bcs.org/contact www.bcs.org

© The British Computer Society (Registered charity no. 292786) 2015

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‘Our membership confirms that First Great Western is committed to using the best tools and resources to get the job done’ Mathew Gard