- Location: UK (UTC +0)
- Expertise: DevOps with relational databases (primarily SQL Server). The GDPR. Telling stories.
- Contact: Twitter | LinkedIn
10 years ago I graduated with a drama degree in the middle of the financial crisis. After a few years pouring pints, looking after kids and being a ski bum I fluked a sales job at a software company.
In 2014 I started a blog and delivered my first technical talk at a user group. I was nervous about the talk because why would any dev or DBA want to listen to a sales guy like me? Also, demoing to a live audience terrified me. My fingers were shaking over the keyboard and the mouse and I had a lump in my throat.
It went pretty badly. The demo was ok but I mumbled a lot, spoke far too quickly and still overran by half an hour. However, over the following months I got some great advice about how to improve from some wonderful, generous people. I will forever be grateful to those folks who helped me without asking for anything in return.
Fast-forward a few years: In 2017 I delivered 43 sessions at 34 events in 10 countries about Database DevOps and the GDPR and was awarded a Microsoft MVP award.
I am now the director of DLM Consultants and a co-organiser of SQL Relay. I’ve grown to be passionate about the value of the tech community and I aspire to help other people the way I was was helped. I’m happy to spend time with any new speaker to help them to make a positive contribution to to the community.
You can reach me on LinkedIn and Twitter and I’m excited to hear what you have to say. 🙂