New appointment! Dan McBooth - Head of Technology at Naimuri
Dan, you have been appointed as Head of Technology at Naimuri and have been with the company since it launched in 2015.
What was your career journey into tech?
“I’ve been surrounded by computers since a young age. ZX Spectrums and tape decks were definitely an early feature of my youth, along with Amigas and floppy disks.
However, my real journey began at the University of Manchester, doing a BSc in Maths and Computer Science. This is where I started to learn the craft; about what it means to cut code, and really work with computers, learning the science of game theory and the mathematics of quantum computing.
I then got my first real world IT job through Fujitsu’s graduate scheme in 2007, an amazing opportunity and entry into the world of working on big tech projects.
I’ve been fortunate to work with some really amazing people on a variety of technical challenges, largely centering on how to get the most of data”.
What are the biggest changes you have seen in the technology sector over the last ten years since you’ve been with Naimuri?
“We’ve really opened up the industry by making it more accessible, and removing barriers of entry to attract new ways of thinking and a more diverse talent pool.
For example, you used to need a degree or relevant experience as a minimum - A BSc in Computer Science was typical.
But, over the last 10 years, there’s been a welcome realisation that we can invest in people at an earlier age straight from schools and colleges, not just university.
The impact of apprenticeships and coaching through learning as methods of getting talent into industry, has led to different demographics and age ranges entering the workplace - from completely different places and backgrounds, than might have previously been the case.
At Naimuri, hiring and growing people from different sectors, roles and careers brings something different to our culture, improving both us and the wider industry for the better. We have people from a variety of paths helping us for the better; straight out of school apprentices, university leavers educated in linguistics and various career changes such as a croupier, a teacher and physical engineer.”
Which emerging technology (ies) are you most excited about the prospect of?
“Artificial Intelligence (AI).
“Even though it's been around for a long time, the way it’s exploded recently, and the amount of energy and potential emanating from that space, still makes it feel like it’s come out of nowhere.
It’s exciting and I’ve certainly not seen a comparable pace of change in the last 15 years of working in IT.
“It’s also interesting to see how different companies and sectors are changing their thinking and how they operate to get value out of AI. There is an energy of change at the moment as companies large and small are searching for how to make this new frontier fit in for them.
“Whilst I’d love to know where AI really is going, that’s the joy of it - to see where it does go, particularly when considering what the impact of Quantum Computing will bring. It is a whole new frontier of technology, which I believe will have more of a dramatic impact than anything we have seen from AI thus far.”
Naimuri supports customers in government, law enforcement and defence. How has this sector evolved over this time?
“Good question! I’d say each of the three sectors are on their own unique journey when it comes to evolving with data and defining what data intelligence means to them.
However, that said, we are seeing a shift across all three sectors, not just in the use of suppliers, but in bringing in Subject Matter Experts (SME) to build ecosystems that harness the best talent in the country. Partnerships over transactions have become a key part of working, driving collaboration and innovation in all three sectors.
There is also a growing recognition of the opportunities and challenges presented by the evolving world of cloud technology. It’s not just about adapting to these changes, but also embracing the potential they offer. Industry is far ahead of the sectors and there is a lot of catching up to do, equally the cloud vendors are evolving what and how they offer services to these customers”.
Are there any technologies which you think are overhyped? Why?
“Coming from the Head of Technology this may sound odd but, sometimes I think Technology in general can be overhyped. It's all too easy to focus solely on the technology itself, rather than the wants and needs of the users. We should be starting with the desires and requirements of the entire user community, and then finding ways to integrate the technologies that truly add value.
For as long as I have been in the industry, I’ve seen people discover new technologies and try to force them into the space without understanding the benefits, if any, for the end user.
To potentially misquote Steve Jobs ‘You've got to start with the customer experience and work backwards to the technology.’”
How does Naimuri stay ahead of the competitors and continue to innovate and create ground-breaking technology solutions?
Another good question! Naimuri’s approach relates to the previous answer, as we always focus on the end user, and finding the right innovation and technology that best serves their needs - rather than just pushing forward in a single space.
At Naimuri, we strategically explore several areas to broaden our capabilities, grow our expertise, and highlight the strengths of our people across different communities.
By working collaboratively, that's where the true innovation happens - bringing together those small, unique contributions to create the ‘secret sauce’ that aligns with the ultimate goal of delivering value to the end user.
What is one unique initiative that you’ve employed over the last 12 months that you’re really proud of?
“I’ve spent a lot of time reflecting on knowledge sharing and communication, both within Naimuri and across the broader industry. In many cases, we’re constantly exchanging information, but we often overlook how we structure, manage, and organise that knowledge - for both our future selves and those we’ve never met who will need it.
I’m incredibly proud of the work Naimuri has done in developing what we call ‘the handbook’, our company’s knowledge base and single source of truth.
It’s more than just a technological solution; it’s a cultural shift.
The entire company has embraced the ‘handbook first’ approach to seek out and share knowledge. It’s becoming a foundational tool that not only supports our day-to-day operations but also ensures that future generations of Naimuri employees have access to organised, easily digestible information”.
What is the biggest issue that you’re helping customers with at the moment?
“Helping organisations unlock the full potential of their data, whilst ensuring it’s protected within a complex framework that prioritises privacy, security, and legislation.
Our goal is to provide long-term solutions that benefit as many sectors as possible, rather than just offering a one time fix.
From a customer perspective, we’ve identified three key challenges when it comes to data:
- ‘The unknown unknowns’ - Many organisations have vast amounts of data but struggle to identify what’s valuable and how to extract actionable insights from it.
- Compliance and Governance - Balancing legal requirements with the need to be efficient and effective is sometimes difficult, especially when faced with strict data protection regulations.
- Time Constraints - Customers need solutions that deliver results quickly, which is why we prioritise rapid implementation. We create prototypes in a week and working concepts in 6 weeks. Waiting 3 years for a solution is no longer an option.
What makes an effective tech strategy?
“The challenge of communicating to large audiences is that messages need to be simplified as the number of listeners increases.
“When it comes to technology strategy for a company the size of Naimuri, the strategy must be clear and easily understood by everyone. Whilst different teams might apply their own interpretations, the core message has to resonate quickly and universally across the company.
A strategy needs to be a theory, it tests the unknowns, can be tweaked and adjusted as more is learnt but ultimately aims to achieve an objective.
“However, no strategy holds value unless there's a path to implement it - Without a roadmap for execution, strategies are just dreams without a foundation”.
How do you align your technology use to meet business goals?
“There are many exciting technologies out there with potential applications, but it’s crucial to evaluate them against the broader vision of the company and where we’re heading.
We also have to consider the specific challenges faced by the organisations we work with - A key question is whether a new technology adds real value in addressing those challenges.
At the same time, we must weigh the cost of introducing a new technology against using solutions we’re already familiar with. It’s about finding balance, and ensuring the benefits of adopting something new are worth the effort it takes for people to learn and apply new technologies effectively to achieve business goals”.
What has been your greatest career achievement?
"Being part of the journey to grow Naimuri from a company of 25 people with no office, no customers and no reputation to where we are today; roughly 200 amazing people, 3 locations and many success stories. It has been a huge learning experience of continuous improvement for myself, I had a number of opportunities over this time that wouldn’t normally happen in an established company. Being able to reflect back now and see where the many small and large efforts have got Naimuri to is certainly a career highlight for me."
Naimuri will be celebrating its tenth birthday next year. What are your plans for the business as it enters a new decade?
“These are exciting times… Looking back, I never imagined when we started the company ten years ago that we’d be where we are today - At the beginning, it was hard to think beyond the first month, then the first year, then the first five years. The journey over the past decade has been incredible.
“As we look ahead to the next ten years, the possibilities stretch my imagination beyond belief.
“We’ve always had the goal of making a lasting impact on Manchester, and a key part of that is bringing in and nurturing the next generation of talent. Over the next decade, we have the opportunity to positively influence and educate so many people, and help shape them into future leaders that will drive real change.”
