Gareth Humphreys is co-founder and consulting partner at SPG Transformation which provides tech talen and solutions.
What was your first job (and how much did it pay)?
My first real paying job was working in a cardboard box/packaging factory as an apprentice when I was 16. I can’t remember how much I got paid, but it wasn’t a lot!
What is the best advice or support you’ve been given in business?
“Just start”. It’s as simple as that, and it doesn’t really matter what the topic is, the advice is universally applicable. Want to build a new product or service but don’t know how? Just start. Want to lean a new skill, language or musical instrument? Just start. Want to work your way up to a promotion? Just start! The longer you wait before you start, the longer it will be before you progress. And it’s a bit of a cliche, but it’s not about the end-goal because really the end goal just keeps moving - so it’s very much about the process of learning and growing.
What are the main changes you’ve seen in your business/sector?
Digital Transformation is now finally recognised as an essential piece of all business strategy as more services have had to move online, which has provided more opportunities for our team to help in that journey. The marketplace in our industry has also become incredibly competitive, which is great as this in turn drives greater value for the customer. Looking at our Resourcing business, I don’t think we’ve seen a technology skills shortage such as the one we’re experiencing for quite some time - I certainly don’t remember it being this demanding. It’s a candidate’s market due to demand, which is brilliant for the candidate, but not so good for a lot of mid-tier business clients who simply can’t compete on salary and benefits. Finally, from a software perspective, it’s never been easier to build and ship software products thanks to the cloud, agility and always-on connectivity, so the biggest change we’ve seen here is in the sheer volume of products and solutions coming to market, especially “software as a service” offerings.
What are the challenges you’re facing?
It feels like we’re on the edge of a global recession, and I tend to agree with the theory that the continual exponential growth the economy has seen over the past 30 years is probably due to slow down. For us as a business that will likely meant that transformative projects and programmes will slow down or stop and recruitment demand will reduce too. That said, opportunities will no doubt present themselves on the software side of the business as greater automation and efficiencies are sought, so they’re not all bad challenges.
How has the pandemic changed the way you work?
Obviously the pandemic had a huge impact on us financially - we were lucky to get through it to be honest - and the effects are still being felt across our three subsidiaries albeit in different ways, as each subsidiary has an individual specialism (digital transformation, resourcing and software). Naturally we’ve seen the move to fully remote and now hybrid working, which has helped us by enabling us to work with colleagues and clients from further afield, albeit to the detriment of face-to-face relationship building. It’s also meant that many enterprise organisations have had no option but accelerate their digital transformation plans, so that in turn does open up opportunities. Overall, having been through the toughest challenges during the pandemic, it’s changed our outlook for the better I would say - we’re really grateful and happy to have got through it.
Who is your role model in business?
I’m not sure I have a single role model - it changes and has changed depending on where my head’s at, what problem I’m trying to solve and what I’m reading. The people I admire and look up to in business are the ones who achieve their goals without sacrificing their integrity or humility. I also love the “rags to riches and back again” stories of people like Steve Jobs and Peter Jones who had it all, lost it all and had to go back to the drawing board to start again (although I’m not sure humility was a character trait in either of those instances)!
What would your dream job be?
I’m doing it. I’d always wanted to be around technology from before I even realised it could be a job (I started out on a ZX81 when I was a kid). All the way from leaving school at 16, getting away from the factory floor and landing a YTS placement on an “office skills” course, I’ve always wanted to work in a close-knit team of people I enjoy computers being at the heart of what I’m doing.
What advice would you give to someone starting out a career in your sector?
Don’t be afraid of anything. Find the specific discipline or area of technology that you love and then become the best and most knowledgeable you can be at it… and never, ever give up or stop trying to learn and improve. The technology sector is an open, friendly community and there’s no constraint on what you can learn online for free, so get stuck in.
What makes the North East a good place to do business?
Passion and friendliness. The North East is my adopted home (I grew up in Belfast), but no matter where I go, there aren’t many places that feel like here. When I look at some of the other major cities in the UK outside London - Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds, Manchester - it feels like we’re on the cusp of explosive growth here in the North East, and that’s partly because the region still feels like an undiscovered gem. When I speak to colleagues in London, the assumption is always that we’re so far away up here that we’re behind, but I think the contrary is true. The recent inward investment from some huge organisations is testament to that - they can see the untapped potential here. The region has fantastic transport links, a supportive and forward-thinking support ecosystem and the welcoming North East personality that really makes a difference.
How important is it for business to play a role in society?
It’s hugely important and it’s time that more emphasis was put on the wider societal benefits that businesses can - and should - be contributing to. Having come through “the system” myself, at SPG we’ve been looking at ways we can help - from apprenticeship or learning and development opportunities for those struggling to secure work, to regular charitable initiatives. Those things are great in themselves, but even better would be a co-ordinated and properly funded social mobility programme that incorporates a variety of sectors and businesses from throughout the region. I understand how complex this is though and don’t underestimate the effort involved. But that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t try.
Outside of work, what are you really good at?
Ha, not much! The only thing I’d say I’m good at is turning up for my daily exercise. I do something physical every day and have managed to keep the streak going for a few years now, so I’ll say that.
