“What I love about GCX is that we provide the fundamentals. Not nice to haves, but the need to haves. The foundation of every other application.“
Could you share some insights into your background and how you came to join GCX?
I had been working in the software as a service space for long time, during the glory days, before Brexit. When the streets were paved with gold and every Silicon Valley start-up seemed to open European operations in London, before expanding. Then came the rise AI and the Saaspocolypse. Redundancies became common and there was a lot of competition for every role.
I wasn’t sure about GCX as I was looking for another SaaS company, until I met Michael, Tom and Lorenzo. Straight away I knew they were people I would love to work with.
What I love about GCX is that we provide the fundamentals. Not nice to haves, but the need to haves. The foundation of every other application.
What motivates you in your role at GCX, and how do you maintain your inspiration?
Building strong foundations in the pursuit of excellence, as I want to be a class act in anything I do. Also, providing for my family and the success of our team and customers. I want to build teams who are genuinely happy to come to work and get results for the business. The team keeps me inspired every day.
Is there a specific project or achievement at GCX that you are particularly proud of?
Yes, definitely, the team I’ve hired, the progress they’ve made and the team dynamic we’ve developed. Hitting targets is important, but it’s the people who drive numbers. It all starts with people and we have to spend a lot of our time together. Work is much easier when it’s fun and rewarding.
How do you approach challenges and overcome obstacles in your work?
I like to read about the subject, find experts (which there are a lot of at GCX!), and explore different strategies. I find it’s easier to break the problem down into smaller pieces, then try different solutions, measure, their impact, refine and repeat until we find something that measurably works.
What role do your colleagues and team members play in your success at GCX?
My colleagues and team are my success. We’ve built a great Sales Development Representative (SDR) team at GCX but on top of that there is a lot of experience in the business. People in other roles such as Jonathan (Chief Product and Marketing Officer), Ziad (Head of SASE Products), Meenesh (Head of Network Products) and about five different James’s who are always happy to come in and share the wealth of knowledge they’ve acquired over the decades.
The immediate team is very coachable, willing to take on new challenges, steps out of their comfort zone and do what’s needed to be successful. They’re 80% collaborative, 20% competitive. They’re focused and hungry.
Are there any mentors or individuals who have had a significant impact on your career here?
Yes, one thing that’s impressed me about GCX is how accessible the leadership team is. From my boss Michael Hartmann, who has a very European way of doing things, he’s focused and determined but brings a sense of humour to the role, to Gareth Williams our chairman, who’s will come and talk to the team when he’s in, to Lorenzo Romano our CEO and Tom Gavin our CTO who are always happy to share their wealth experience. That goes for all the leadership team.
How has your role evolved since joining GCX, and how have you grown as a professional?
I’m working with some of the new account managers, exploring methodologies, building out sales strategies and playbooks. I’ve gotten involved in some AI initiatives and experimented with some messaging and positioning. That’s what I appreciate, being trusted with responsibilities beyond the job description.
What advice would you offer to new employees or those striving to excel in their careers at GCX?
Treat it like learning a language, immerse yourself in it, spend time with fluent speakers and make sure you attend the parties, that’s when you really get to know your colleagues and they’re always a lot of fun.