ZAHARA SYSTEMS - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Design & Development Manager
Having spent 8 years in hospitality and retail management, including 4 years selling doughnuts for Krispy Kreme, Ant switched focus to software 6 years ago. Joining Zahara in January 2019, he now looks after all things user focused. All ways looking to add strings to his bow, he is currently learning to code.
Starting with the company in 2016 as our primary support engineer, working through the ranks with his strong coding & analytical skillset. Working with Carl is nothing if not memorable, he bolsters optimism. He enjoys spending time with his Wife, little border terrier dog (Chester) and coding in his spare time. He is happiest most, when sat watching a cinematographic masterpiece (like ‘Road to Perdition') with his little family.
Cormac entered the world of work as junior test technician in the electronic manufacturing industry where he quickly discovered a passion for programming. After a lot of e-tinkering, 404 error messages and infinite loops, he managed to land a role as an apprentice web developer where he worked on numerous bespoke web applications across a range of technologies. He's now doubling down with the aim to specialise in front-end web development.
Drew has joined Zahara to lead the Sales Team and brings with him over ten years' experience of working alongside software businesses. As a multi-sport enthusiast he loves riding bikes, running with his dog and hanging out with his family.
Job Titles:
- Head of Projects & Partners
Emma's here to manage our customer projects. To ensure the scopes are well thought through. Her experience working in large finance departments, ensure she understands customers needs and how to get the most from Zahara. She is a stickler for the detail, loves a project board and will nudge you when you need nudging.
Ethan has been in various IT customer support roles over the last 5 years. He has worked with several different technologies and programming languages along the way. He is a very keen learner, enjoys cricket in the summer, enjoys gaming, Liverpool FC, walking, going to the gym and is a lover of cats.
Job Titles:
- Sales Development Representative
George graduated from the British Institute of Modern Music in Brighton with a degree in Songwriting in 2020. He's worked in customer service for many years (most recently as a paint shop manager) & love to build longstanding customer relationships. He's recently relocated to Bath & in his spare time loves playing guitar & producing music. He claims he can play Wonderwall along with many other mid '90s tracks.
George graduated with a degree in creative computing from Bath Spa University and along with 9 years of experience in customer facing roles, he joined the company in 2021. If he isn't hunched over a computer at home, he's busy cooking up a storm, most often making it up as he goes along. He also enjoys musical pursuits, video games and exploring the local delicacies and history of Bath.
George is a graduate from The Kingston School of Art, an award winning furniture designer, who's creativity shines through when also working on design aspects for Zahara. A lover of esoteric dance music, George seeks out the more obscure summer festivals or events in Hackney where is is often spotted riding around on his vintage Raleigh racing bike.
Harry has enjoyed dismantling (and fixing) gadgets since childhood and even won his first laptop in a competition aimed at familiarizing the elderly with technology.
Harry is one of the Support Engineers at Zahara, combining years of experience in both IT and customer service roles in order to assist keeping Zahara, and its customers, working.
James has been onboard with Zahara since its inception, and is the head of development at Zahara Systems, and is a real stickler for well tested code. Leading the internal development team, he tackles every project with calm professionalism, encouraging the team to find the best ways to do things.
In his spare time he plays Minecraft, reads a lot of sci-fi, and explores the rich cultural diversity that is his home town of Brighton.
Job Titles:
- Support Manager
- Member of the Support Team at Zahara
Jenna is the shortest member of the Support team at Zahara. She has worked in various customer support roles over the years, in particular working with backup and financial software. She enjoys helping people and problem solving. When Jenna isn't exploring the world, she enjoys musical activities, dancing, philosophy, throwing things and has a love for all things Middle Eastern.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Senior Team
- Chief Operations Officer / UK
- Zahara 's Finance Director
Jonathan is Zahara's finance director and has a long history as an FD with software businesses including spending ten years with the Planit Group which developed and distributed brands like Edgecam, Alphacam, Radan, amongst others. He now works with a number of businesses on a portfolio basis however, with his financial background, Zahara is closest to his heart. He enjoys walking and once ran a walking holiday business in southern France. He is also a keen foodie and collector of cookbooks!
Josh has just finished studying Computing and Software Development at the University of Plymouth. He has always had an interest in software and technology, particularly with web technologies. As a software tester at Zahara, Josh wants to use the experience to further develop his technical skills and work towards becoming a full stack developer.
Joining us from a hospitality and brewing background, Laurence has years of experience in customer-facing roles, helping him interpret customers' needs to find the best solution for them. When not at work you'll find him collecting whisky or tucked away with a good book and a cup of tea.
Having graduated from university with a degree in Outdoor Leadership, Lewis decided to challenge himself by finding a career in the technology industry. After spending 5 years as QA within the gaming industry, he decided to change sector and joined Zahara in August 2022. Having a passion for all things QA, it is his role to implement testing and oversee all QA processes at Zahara.
Lewis is a huge fan of rugby union, enjoys playing video games and guitar, and likes spending time outdoors and exercising.
With a degree in Computer Science and 15 years of experience of finance in a supply chain environment, Louise joins us a Senior Support Engineer. She ensures smooth operations for Zahara users and enjoys providing solutions. When not in the office, you'll find Louise at music festivals or restoring historical soft furnishings.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Senior Team
- Founder & CEO / UK
Martin loves his gadgets and is a technologist through and through. He started out programming his BBC Micro back in the 80's and had a love of computing ever since. His experience with document management and invoice processing in more recent years resulted in him designing Zahara. As a lifelong Chelsea fan, Martin knows how to manage expectation. He's has no sporting ability whatsoever, but is a passionate motorcyclist - the faster the better, lover of dogs and keen traveller.
Mat has a keen eye for programming and a keen ear for AI. He loves the power that coding gives a person and is always trying to put that power in the hands of others.
Bristol born, bread and fed; He keeps the team moral high with his Bristolian accent and general West-Country covers of songs. Travels everywhere on his skateboard and at his best, can solve a Rubik's Cube in 52 seconds.
Matt has vast Customer Service experience, working in retail since leaving college. More recently he studied at Swansea University as a mature student and gained a Web Development degree. He enjoys developing his web skills in his spare time as well as supporting Manchester United (don't judge him!) and going to gigs. But most of his time is spent running around after his son, playing football and Lego.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Senior Team
- Systems Manager
Nick has had many roles within the company. He started an entry-level position back in 2012, straight out of university, and has risen through the ranks with a deep understanding of the processes and system required in the business today. Nick can be involved on pre-sales meetings as well as being a large part of the back office tuning our own software, integrations and delivering the support to the Zahara team.
With Martin's influence, he has become a keen motorcyclist but also enjoys Target/Clay pigeon shooting and spending time with his wife and daughter.
Paul is based in Brisbane, Australia and manages the Zahara business in the Asia Pacific region
Paul has a technical career working in both Australia and the UK. He has a great knowledge of business process and associated technologies that improve efficiencies. Paul is the territory manager for Australia, New Zealand and Asia Pacific providing real-time support and sales insight for both existing and new customers.
Ruth joined Zahara in October 2018 as a customer support and onboarding engineer. She brings a wealth of customer care experience gained in data management in education, hotel management and estate agency. When not working Ruth enjoys travel and is currently learning Spanish and has an ambition to walk the Camino de Santiago. She will go the extra mile to make sure Zahara onboarders and users have a world class experience.
Job Titles:
- Sales Development Representative
- Support Engineer
Having recently graduated from the University of Bath, Tim has joined the team as a Support Engineer. With previous experience in customer and sales based roles Tim is excited to support Zahara customers. With a power-boating license in the US state of Tennessee, Tim has a keen interest in water sports and activities including sailing and kayaking. Tim is also enthusiastic about football and loves to travel to new places.
Having graduated from University with a Computer Games Design Degree, Tom has always had a keen interest with getting hands-on with new software. With previous experience in customer facing roles, Tom is here as a Support Engineer to keep the customers loving Zahara. When not at work you'll find him getting stuck into one of his 3D modelling projects, out hiking, or being as close to the seaside as possible!
Vitória has over 8 years' experience in customer facing roles where she has met a variety of clients and has catered successfully and attentively to their individual needs, no matter the situation. Vitória loves being social and offering support to others, she can help you in English, Portuguese, or Spanish, so take your pick! When not at work you'll find her practicing her photography, climbing walls, or making colour coded spreadsheets. Vitória loves everything organisation and hopes to bring her creative flare and sunny personality with her, be careful her enthusiasm for lists is contagious..