The post: Managing Director, Flint Studios
The post holder: Jeremy Biggerstaff
Give a brief outline of your career to date.
During completion of a degree in Computer Science at Ulster University, I was fortunate enough to secure a role as an IT Consultant for one of the Big Four accounting firms.
After graduating, I moved into a business development position within the company and then eventually into the corporate world at UTV where I was directly responsible for establishing the New Media division at a time when digital was really expanding across the UK and Ireland.
I then joined a web solutions provider – Flint Studios – in 2013 when the business was still in its infancy having been formed in late 2011. The business was established to specialise in user experience, systems integration and measurement. Now, we have established ourselves as a leading provider of web services throughout the UK with over 200 high-calibre clients, more than 30 experienced staff and numerous industry awards.
What was your favourite subject at school?
At school, IT was one of my favourite subjects, and largely the reason why I pursued a degree in Computer Science. I have had a passion for business from a young age and always enjoyed those classes, especially Economics in lower and upper 6th Year.
Did you go on to further/ higher education, if so, what did you study and where?
After completing my undergraduate degree, I continued my learning and completed a Masters in Organisational Management at Queen’s University Belfast.
I also completed two years of study with the Institute of Directors to achieve my Chartered Director qualification, a challenging but rewarding course. I believe if you invest in yourself to accelerate your knowledge, you can achieve your ambitions and goals.
How did you get into your area of work?
When the opportunity arose to work with Flint Studios, I had been with UTV Media for eight years and was ready to take the next step in my career. I felt that the skills and experience I had gained throughout my career had prepared me to take on a new challenge and always intended to go into business ownership.
Is this what you always wanted to do?
When I was young, I wanted to be a fighter pilot, but I quickly decided this wasn’t quite my reality. My career path swiftly moved towards business. Working with Flint Studios and developing our strategic plan to move forward can be hard work, but I’m in my element doing it and enjoy coming to work every single day, which I believe is hugely important.
Were there any particular essential qualifications or experience needed?
Good maths, english and communications skills are required for the majority of jobs and I know my qualifications have brought a level of structure to the way I work. However, I think experience is equally as important as qualifications as it’s through experience you learn, meet new people, and discover new skills and practices.
Are there alternative routes into the job?
If anyone has the courage and an aptitude to run their own business, I would urge them to give it a try before they lose that entrepreneurial spirit. If you know your skills and are dedicated, it is worth it. If I could go back and do it again, I would have made the jump to work for myself much sooner.
What are the main personal skills your job requires?
In my role, the two key skills I rely on are: strategic awareness and business acumen.
Now, I have more strategic awareness than I have ever had in any position and this new focus has helped Flint Studios expand, with nearly 200 clients and offices in Belfast, Derry/Londonderry and Warrington.
What does a typical day entail?
Days often involve meeting clients to discuss existing or new projects. An average day now includes more travel to Great Britain and the North West thanks to our acquisitions of Link Information Technology in Cheshire and Creative Metrics in Derry/Londonderry.
We have a dedicated team with a wealth of experience, and we work closely together to the benefit our clients, combining our expertise to deliver tangible results to a wide variety of customers. As we cover everything from web development and user experience to digital marketing and systems integration, how my day pans out can be very different from one day to the next.
What are the best and most challenging aspects of the job?
So far in my career, I have found working with people who continue to make the same mistakes repeatedly the most challenging. I think people like this can be the biggest barriers to business growth, and of course to their own professional development, in addition to building long term client relationships.
Why is what you do important?
At Flint Studios, we are constantly improving the digital performance of our clients, to achieve and exceed their goals. This in turn helps our clients grow, create jobs, increase capabilities and enable geographical expansion.
If you weren’t doing this what would you like to do?
I think if I wasn’t in my current role, I would like to give something back and apply my business knowledge to a role within a local charity focused on young people.
If you could go back, what is the one piece of advice you would give to yourself on your first day?
Think strategically and don’t sweat the small stuff. Try to avoid becoming fixated with the day to day issues, but look at the bigger issues, the important things that will matter several years from now.
Describe your ideal day off.
I love playing sport, especially football, cricket and golf but, I think my ideal day off would have to be a nice sunny day up the North Coast, out on the river going water skiing with my wife and two boys.