60 seconds with Dan Smith … Head of Service Delivery at Datum

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About Dan’s role

Dan Smith recently celebrated his 15-year anniversary with ‘Datum’, having successfully navigated two acquisitions along the way; Dan was working for 1st Easy when it was acquired by Teledata in 2016, and was still with Teledata for Datum’s acquisition of the company in 2022, which brought together Datum’s original Farnborough site with Teledata’s Manchester facility.

Reflecting on the transition from Teledata to Datum, Dan remembers his excitement about the ambitious plans for expansion and the clear company goals that came with the acquisition.

“Although my day-to-day role remains largely the same, my responsibilities have expanded significantly since the takeover,” he explains.

Dan has been heavily involved in integrating systems and processes since Datum (Farnborough – FRN) and Teledata (Manchester – MCR) merged, as well as taking on additional customer-facing responsibilities, including the integration of Farnborough’s services.

Dan’s day-to-day

As Head of Service Delivery, Dan’s primary focus is ensuring that Datum’s clients receive the highest level of service. “I manage the MCR service desk team, handling client orders and queries daily,” he says. Beyond this, Dan oversees most of the company’s core internal IT and infrastructure systems, ensuring they are operational and evolving to meet both company and client needs.

His responsibilities span a wide range, from internal IT and security systems to client and company networks. Dan also works closely with the sales team and client success management team to address client queries and ensure the seamless delivery of new orders. Additionally, he manages relationships with key third-party IT partners, ensuring they deliver the solutions needed to drive the company forward:

“It’s the variety that keeps things fresh. I’m involved in everything from high-level decision-making around processes and systems to hands-on technical work. It’s a balance that keeps things interesting.”

Dan’s take on Datum

When asked what he enjoys most about working at Datum, Dan highlights the dynamic nature of his role. “No two days are the same, and there are always new challenges that keep me engaged and learning,” he says. He also appreciates the collaborative culture at Datum.

“Although the company has core departments with their own responsibilities, everyone is willing to help each other out as needed. We’re all working together towards a common goal.”

Dan’s take on tech

When asked about the best/worst thing about working in tech, Dan declared that the best and worst things are one and the same: its constant evolution.

“Technology is always evolving, which means there’s always something new to learn and explore. But that also means the answers aren’t always straightforward, which can be frustrating at times,” he admits.

When it comes to his must-have piece of tech, Dan keeps it simple: “Although it’s kind of boring, I’d have to say my phone.”

As for the tech he’d happily ditch into Room 101? “Social media. It encourages too much doomscrolling and has a negative impact on the younger generation.”

Dan outside work

In his spare time, Dan loves spending time with his family on days out. He’s also a season ticket holder for Stoke City, so you’ll often find him at the Bet365 Stadium on weekends, cheering them on. When he has a bit of time to himself, he enjoys gaming and has recently got his hands on the new Nintendo Switch 2 – perfect for honing his Mario Kart skills!

Datum in three words, according to Dan

Team. Unique. Reliable.

A strong, collaborative team working together towards shared goals. A unique approach to innovation and client service that sets us apart. And a reliable foundation, ensuring our clients can always count on us to deliver.

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