BREAKWATER IT - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Trainee Junior Systems Engineer
As Trainee Junior Systems Engineer, Adon shadows our level one team as the first point of contact for incoming client IT issues. He will be among the first to attempt to fix your technical issues. When you call with a problem, he'll begin the troubleshooting process, creating a detailed log in case the issue needs to be escalated to our Systems Engineers.
Adon initially joined Breakwater one day a week as part of his T-Level placement back in January 2023. His commitment to learning and progressing within IT was so strong, we decided to bring him on full time as a Trainee upon the completion of his T-Level in May 2023!
Job Titles:
- Strategic Services Manager
Andy knows Breakwater inside and out, having joined us when we were just two years old back in 2007!
As Strategic Services Manager, Andy heads up our Network Admin side of the Service Desk. This includes managing our team of pro-active engineers who work to prevent issues from happening before they reach the client, therefore reducing downtime. This is achieved through monitoring, data analysis and developing new methods for spotting and resolving potential problems before they arise.
Andy has a BSc in Computer Science and has worked in IT support since 1999. "My interest in computing was first sparked when my father brought a ZX Spectrum home from work in 1982."
Prior to Breakwater, he was a network administrator at Easton College and worked within the support team at Norfolk County Council.
Our Junior Systems Engineers are the first point of call for incoming client IT issues. They, like Brenden, will be the first to attempt a fix for your technical issues. When you call with a problem, they'll begin the troubleshooting process, creating a detailed log in case the issue needs to be escalated to our Systems Engineers.
Brenden joined us in February 2024 having previously worked as an IT technician within local schools.
"I completed a Level 3 in IT at City College Norwich straight after high-school, then completed a Level 3 diploma apprenticeship in IT & Telecoms at Ipswich School and was promoted to ICT Technician after the completion of my apprenticeship. After 3 years at Ipswich School, I moved to Hethersett Academy as the IT Technician on-site. During this time I completed a Level 4 in Cyber Security - Risk Analyst as well as passing ITIL V4 Foundation. After 3 years at Hethersett, I'm now here!"
As Lead Project Engineer, Dean oversees the major IT projects for our clients. This includes migrations, new software deployment, and installations.
Dean has held various IT roles at different companies throughout his career. He started as an IT Systems Administrator and progressed in other organisations to work as an IT Support Technician and IT Manager. "My previous roles have been within both companies and managed service providers, giving me good experience from supplier and client-side."
Ian is part of our team of Systems Engineers. They are the first escalation point for our Junior Engineers when the incoming technical issue is more complex. Additionally, they are responsible for the installation, maintenance and security of our client's core IT systems.
When he's not relaxing on the Broads on his narrowboat, ‘Water Tiger', Ian is busy keeping our clients IT systems sailing smoothly. Ian is incredibly knowledgeable about Breakwater and our clients having joined the service desk in 2012.
Originally from the North East, Ian spent 23 years in the Royal Air Force. During this time, he was working as an Electronics Technician on Airfield and Air Defence Radar systems. In addition to this, Ian also worked within the Telecommunications field. He completed the last 5 years of his service as an IT Network Administrator. Notably gaining Microsoft MCSE and MCSA certifications.
"I left the Armed Forces in 2003. After that, I joined the IT department of a major privately owned company within the Oil and Gas sector. Working as an IT Systems Engineer with management responsibility for the networks and data storage requirements of multiple survey vessels, I gained valuable experience in remote vessel communications and custom-made infrastructures."
As part of our team of Senior Engineers, Jamie is one of the highest points of escalation for incoming technical issues raised by our clients.
Jamie is known for his attention to detail when investigating and troubleshooting complex tickets. He is determined to reach a resolution as swiftly as possible to keep you working at your best.
Jamie has a BTEC National Diploma for IT Practitioners, as well as a career that has focused on technology and helping people use it effectively.
Before joining Breakwater, Jamie had been working in various IT support roles for both the public and private sectors since 2009.
Our Junior Systems Engineers are the first point of call for incoming client IT issues. They, like Jess, will be the first to attempt a fix for your technical issues. When you call with a problem, they'll begin the troubleshooting process, creating a detailed log in case the issue needs to be escalated to our Systems Engineers.
Jess joined us in 2022 as a Trainee Junior Systems Engineer and notably was Breakwater's first-ever female Engineer. After completing her CompTIA A+, Jess dropped ‘Trainee' from her title in 2023.
Before joining Breakwater, Jess worked in the Estates team at the University of East Anglia for 6 years. "I started as the Security Assistant and progressed to manage the Travel and Transport Team. Aside from this, I worked in the Customer Contact Team at Norwich City Council."
What started as a mullet, evolved into a bet, and then further evolved into John growing his frizzy locks in aid of our charity of the year, Break. John's hair journey, so far, has been an emotional one for us all. So if you can, add a few pennies to our fundraising page to help support the growth of an amazing charity, and John's amazing hair. Thank you. Donate here.
John is part of our network standards team. His role involves closely reviewing our client's infrastructure to identify potential issues.
John's time is spent carrying out network and security audits. He works to resolve any vulnerabilities before they have a chance to cause downtime or have a detrimental effect on client productivity.
Jordan is part of our team of Systems Engineers. They are the first escalation point for our Junior Engineers when the incoming technical issue is more complex. Additionally, they are responsible for the installation, maintenance and security of our client's core IT systems.
Jordan joined us straight from college in 2018 where he completed an Extended Level 3 Diploma in Information Technology.
"This has been my first job in a service desk environment. Since joining Breakwater, I have progressed from a Trainee Junior Systems Engineer to a Junior Systems Engineer, and then onto the Systems Engineer role. Breakwater has supported my journey to achieving the CompTIA A+ certification. This is beneficial when understanding how to resolve networking and troubleshooting hardware and network connectivity issues."
Job Titles:
- Business Services Director
Jordan keeps the business running. She's always on the lookout for inefficiencies and ways to make us more effective at delivering a great service.
Jordan manages both our marketing and projects teams and is a key point of contact for our clients. She works hard with her team to help clients get the most out of their IT Systems. Jordan is also regularly involved in demonstrations, site visits and webinars, so you're sure to see her out and about!
Jordan has a range of experience from retail and hospitality to account management. "There pretty much isn't anything I haven't done I even worked as a stable hand for 2 years.
Qualifications in leisure and events management mean I like to be organised. I always try to think ahead - anticipating people's needs and making sure we can meet them."
Liam is part of our team of Systems Engineers. They are the first escalation point for our Junior Engineers when the incoming technical issue is more complex. Additionally, they are responsible for the installation, maintenance and security of our client's core IT systems.
Liam worked in retail for Tesco for eight years before joining us as a Trainee Junior Engineer. "It was my first job (if you exclude my paper rounds!) and I worked my way up to a management role. I have worked in just about every department you could imagine except for the meat & fish counters, I didn't think I could make the cut if you excuse the pun! I got to know most of my regular customers and helped build community relations with the Bags of Help program that Tesco has."
Since joining us in 2022, Liam has completed his CompTIA A+, meaning he moved up from Trainee to a Junior Engineer at the start of 2023. Just a year on, in January 2024, Liam was promoted to a Systems Engineer, joining our team of level 2's in fixing more complicated IT issues.
Maple is our Petwork Technician. She works closely under the supervision of her owner, Jordan, to bring regularly scheduled play and cuddles to the office.
"Since the initial launch of Breakwater in 2005, I have always wanted to create a forward-thinking IT Services provider that utilises technology to help underpin the future growth of companies.
Our Junior Systems Engineers are the first point of call for incoming client IT issues. They, like Rory, will be the first to attempt a fix for your technical issues. When you call with a problem, they'll begin the troubleshooting process, creating a detailed log in case the issue needs to be escalated to our Systems Engineers.
Rory also has a strong interest in and focus on Azure.
Rory joined us after the completion of his Extended Level 3 Diploma in Information Technology. "Joining Breakwater was the ideal next step for me after gaining my Extended Diploma. It offers the practical know-how required to progress as an Engineer.
As our Marketing Manager, Sam's focus is to showcase Breakwater IT and the solutions we offer businesses. Within her role, she develops and gives voice to the Breakwater brand across various marketing channels. This is both digitally and through our own events programme. Sam is also involved in our sustainability and community projects.
Sam's career started at 17 when she began a Business Administration Apprenticeship with a focus on events management. Since then, she has developed her skills in both marketing and event management. This includes organising, growing, and profiling Norfolk's largest business to business event.
"My role at Breakwater IT allows me to tap into my creative side with a strong brand built around our customers. I have an energetic interest in both marketing and technology. As well as a desire to keep learning and developing my skills; something Breakwater actively supports me in doing."
He's got the power ⚡ Toby is our Power Platform Engineer. What's Power Platform you ask? Well, essentially, Toby uses software like Power Apps, PowerBi, SharePoint and more to build custom applications for us and our clients.
These apps include holiday booking, sign-in boards, expense requests, desk booking, and more. Toby will customise each app to your individual needs, which can then be accessed through platforms like Teams or as stand alone applications.
Our Junior Systems Engineers are the first point of call for incoming client IT issues. They, like Tom, will be the first to attempt a fix for your technical issues. When you call with a problem, they'll begin the troubleshooting process, creating a detailed log in case the issue needs to be escalated to our Systems Engineers.
Tom moved on from being a Trainee Engineer in June 2022 following his pass for the CompTIA A+.
Tom's first job was at Swinton Insurance, helping customers take out car (and eventually home) insurance policies over the phone.
His second job was at Bertram Books, in a data entry role, focusing on the company's biggest customer. "This role helped me get my third one, at Bertram Books in the EDI (Electronic Data Interchange) team. As part of this role, I helped configure connections between Bertrams and their suppliers, along with Bertrams' customers too. Most recently, I worked for Data Interchange, on their Service Desk, supporting their most important clients."
Our Junior Systems Engineers are the first point of call for incoming client IT issues. They, like Tom, will be the first to attempt a fix for your technical issues. When you call with a problem, they'll begin the troubleshooting process, creating a detailed log in case the issue needs to be escalated to our Systems Engineers.
As a keen footballer outside of work, in the office when Tom troubleshoots, he scores.⚽
Tom started with Breakwater as a work experience placement whilst at college before joining as a full-time employee. "Joining Breakwater was my first ever role!"