David Parkinson - CEO, Brave & Heart
Did you always envisage a career in the world of Tech?
Not really – I was very into my computers as a young boy – C64, Amiga 1200 etc – even doing some lightweight programming myself and developing a doctors question flow to solve a patient issue – a basic “goto” chatbot if you like, but then I joined the British Army at 16 and after that started working on the production line at Nissan in 1991 for the (then) new Micra. All the while I was still tinkering with IBM 386’s and “playing” with computers. Then Nissan part paid me to take a HNC in Business Computing and then fully sponsored me towards an IT degree, which I got from Sunderland University in my early 30’s. The rest, that’s another story!
What tips would you give to someone looking to work in the industry?
Never ever stop learning. I am always training and retraining myself and I have made that a core value at Brave & Heart – we have a strong training ethos and currently all the team are doing training of some sort.
Tell us about the most exciting project you’re currently working on.
Well, we recently completed a very complex Power Platform project that combines a government reporting system with a full company project management system, and now we are stretching SharePoint to its limits developing a document management platform, but our most exciting project is building the team, helping them, supporting them and expanding their capability and collaboration potential.
Tell us about your team.
From just two of us to now a dozen we are a multidisciplined team that cover a lot of bases. As we combine technology with people and strategy we cover PR, marketing and HR, not just IT. As such the team are always working on something new and building their confidence. We are a low hierarchy matrix style organisation and work in “pods”. This means one person can be working on three or four different projects at once, all in different disciplines. Each team member is carefully picked to fit our values and the ethos and enthusiasm they bring impresses me every day.
What are your long-term plans for the business?
We are not looking to grow for the sake of it. The intention was never to create a large company, it was to create one that did the right thing for clients. Key strategies for 2024 and beyond is to become a more ethical and environmental company, which has us working hard now to attain B-Corp certification. Technology wise we are expanding our inhouse Power Platform capability and in the next year will be doing more employee value propositions for clients. Ultimately, we are led by our clients and are always agile enough to build or bring in different skills when needed.
What’s your favourite piece of technology?
Apart from my robotic lawn mower, I’m an aging gamer, so love all things games. I would have to say my handheld Steam Gaming Console is a favourite and also allows me to replay Half Life. We also have an “Owl” camera we use to connect all the team when at a clients site as we are all remote and work in different locations – it never ceases to amaze everyone in the room.
Do you have any heroes or mentors?
I don’t like to class people as either. There are a lot of people I have learnt from in my career, and I have picked and chose the different lessons I have had from each of them as and when I thought it would prove useful. There are many people I admire, through all their flaws, from technologists Steve Jobs and Jony Ive to story tellers like Chris Nolan and Ridley Scott. I never forget that everything we do has to serve a purpose and tell a story, and I make sure the team are always aware of this.
When not working how do you like to relax?
Last year I did three triathlons, which I need to get fighting fit for again, and this year I decided to rebuild a classic 1963 Land Rover, putting my Army mechanics training back in use. I run, I try to do bad Yoga and spend as much time with my family as I can. Ultimately, we only get one shot at this. Make it fun.
What’s your fondest career memory?
In 2014 I was put in charge of the global launch of the Nissan Qashqai which I helped to ideate, oversee and ultimately develop one of Nissans most successful launches of the time on a film sound stage in London. It was ultimately the catalyst for me to leave and start my own company. I mean, if you have started on the production line and eventually get to run a global car launch, what else is there left for you to do?
What’s the best piece of business advice you’ve received?
You don’t have time, you make time. One of my first managers drilled that into me and I have never forgot it. In many situations you must stand back and reassess what is happening, look at the bigger picture and what you are trying to achieve. Then you work out how to make the time needed for it to happen.
Find out more about Brave & Heart at www.braveandheart.com and connect with David on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/in/daveparkinsonuk