Team Spotlight: Meet Alex

Starting a new job is always a big step—but doing it at the same time as becoming a new dad is another challenge altogether. Alex joined Fordway just before welcoming his first child, and he admits he was a little apprehensive:

  “It was two big changes at once; I was nervous about starting a new job and balancing that
  with fatherhood. However, Fordway have been the best support and very considerate to this
  massive change.”

What drew you to Fordway?

“When I was looking for my next opportunity, what stood out about Fordway was their big focus on Cloud services and other technologies. Since joining I’ve been exposed to a wide range of technologies, both on site visits and in my day-to-day role.”

On-site support

Alex primarily supports the business-as-usual work across two high security sites, handling everything from troubleshooting connectivity issues to user account problems. He also gets involved in project work, which he finds “really interesting.”

He spends a few days a month on site, carrying out end-user support and assisting with projects.

Life as a remote-based engineer

Working remotely can sometimes feel isolating, but Alex says it’s never felt that way at Fordway:

  “We have a daily stand up where we get to see each other and chat, plus site visits where we        can meet up in person. There are also team events, like the summer get-together, and I have
  regular one-to-ones with my manager. I always feel supported.”

A day in the life

A typical day for Alex starts with reviewing tickets in his queue and prioritising urgent issues. He might be troubleshooting login problems, guiding users through processes, or joining the daily stand-up to share knowledge with the wider team. “There’s a good balance of work and time for learning,” he says.

Building skills and confidence

Since joining, Alex has seen his confidence grow:

  “That’s a testament to how supportive my colleagues at Fordway have been in creating a great    environment to learn.”

He keeps his skills sharp by reviewing internal documentation, following developments in the digital space, and working towards certifications such as the Microsoft AZ-900. He’s also recently been exploring the power of PowerShell:

  “It can be used to carry out so many tasks which can be repetitive. I’m trying to implement this
  in my day-to-day role as much as possible.”

Advice for others starting out

His top advice?

• Ask questions early and often.

• Document everything—even the small fixes.

• Remember customer service is key: “The customer will remember their experience with you when they raised a ticket.”

Outside of work

When he’s not balancing work and fatherhood, Alex loves to go on long walks in the Northumberland countryside, one of my favourites being the Simonside Hills. There’s something very peaceful about being surrounded by nature completely. On a clear day you can see for miles, right out to the Cheviots and across the coast. Outside of walking, I love to spend quality time with my family.