Education: BSc Computer Science, University of Southampton - 2009

Joined OpenBet: July 2009

What I do:
I work as part of a small team developing high transaction website solutions for one of our biggest customers. My initial work was on small projects like developing reports and admin screens, but I have quickly progressed onto more complex tasks like integrating payment methods. I am about to embark on a six-month overseas assignment working in a team delivering an OpenBet solution to one of our new customers.

What I like:
What impresses me most about OpenBet is the tremendous working environment. Not only are the facilities superb but the people I work with - both peers and managers - always strive to support each other.

I am not just part of an anonymous back-office team. I get regular contact with the customer whose project I am working on, which is not something I was expecting so early in my career but is standard practice here.

My three-week induction taught me the fundamentals of the business and introduced me to the technical tools I would be using. I liked the way it did not go on for months and months, as I wanted to involved in some real work. I was thrilled to be given the opportunity to work overseas after only nine months with the company. OpenBet truly is a high pressure, high reward environment.

Why OpenBet:
I came here because I wanted to join a fast growing company. During my interview I learnt about the OpenBet's ‘promote from within' mindset and it was very appealing to someone like me, just leaving University.

My interviewer had been with the company less than three years and was already in a management role, responsible for a team of eight developers.

With many of my colleagues being a similar age to me, it is no wonder we socialise together outside office hours. Enjoying where you work is about both the tasks you do and the company of the people you work with. We have that here at OpenBet.

Education: BSc Mathematics with Computing, University of Warwick - 2006

Joined OpenBet: July 2006 as a Graduate Software Developer

What I do:

I joined as a developer with a view to progressing into an analysis and design role once I had established a good understanding of the OpenBet product. The expansion of the company created that opportunity and I was promoted in November 2008.

The main function of my Solutions Architect role is two-fold. Firstly, I work with senior customer decision makers to gain an understanding of their business requirements; and secondly I translate those requirements into designs from which the software development teams can create the solution.

What I like:

I am given a large amount of autonomy and with that comes a large degree of responsibility.
I recently spent a month abroad for a number of meetings with a prospective customer and government officials to ensure they understood our products and that we could meet their requirements.

The variety within my role is outstanding too - with more customers coming on stream all the time, often overseas, there are plenty of opportunities to do something different. My role gives me a real insight into how these businesses operate and it is very satisfying to see a solution I have architected being deployed to the web for use by tens of thousands of people.

OpenBet has a ‘dress down' culture and provided you excel at your role and work hard, the company is flexible about working hours too.


Why OpenBet:

I was attracted by the prospect of working with like-minded, hard working people and developing skills in cutting edge, high volume internet solutions.

I did not see myself as a run-of-the-mill developer. I knew if I worked hard here I would get noticed and achieve promotion, and that's exactly what happened. Had I wanted to pursue Technical Management as a career then that avenue was available too.

The fact the company is London-based was important to me, too. The West London location provides an excellent commute and the recent move to the new office facility is the icing on the cake.

Education: BSc Computer Science, University of Manchester - 2001

Joined OpenBet: July 2001 as a Graduate Software Developer

What I do:
I manage a group of around 30 Technical Leads and Developers. I am responsible for reviewing their work output and managing their personal development.

I am the Technical Authority for the solutions delivered to a number of our customers, which means that I am the first point of call for all technical issues. I review program code and PIDs (Project Initiation Documents) to ensure accuracy and completeness. If something goes wrong when a solution is deployed, the buck stops with me. It's a lot of responsibility but I am surrounded by a team of great people who always pull together.

What I like:
The people here are amazing, that is why I have stayed so long. Added to that, the flexible working hours and the superb recreational facilities and games room in our new office make it easy to chill out before, during or after a hard day's work.

The company is growing fast and that means new opportunities for personal growth are constantly presenting themselves. I enjoy a challenge and with so much going on here I am never short of something new to try.

Why OpenBet:
Two words: Career progression. I have achieved three promotions in my time here: from Graduate developer to Solutions Architect, to Technical Lead, and most recently to Senior Technical Lead. My progress is a testament to the ‘promote from within' culture of the company.

When I joined, the industry was in its infancy, but now we are responsible for developing some of the fastest websites in the world. The skills and experience our developers assimilate are right there at the bleeding edge of 21st Century e-commerce technology.

Education: BSc Computer Science, University of Essex - 2006; MSc Software Engineering, University of Southampton - 2009

Joined OpenBet: January 2010

What I do:

I work on the Content side of the business in the Delivery Team, consolidating game code then installing and configuring it on customer websites. I work on database upgrades and support issues associated with customers moving to new versions of our games.

What I like:

I enjoy the variety of work, it is different to what I was expecting in an entry-level role. Already, I have learnt new technologies I had not covered at college, which I have found both exciting and challenging. The great support I receive from my managers and peers contribute to an environment in which I can learn and progress my career.

I love the customer contact elements of the role and working in the delivery team means that I get plenty of it. Even though I have only been with the company a short time, my managers trust me to carry the right message to customers. That is the sort of early exposure to responsibility that was discussed at my interview and I have definitely found it to be the reality here at OpenBet.

The office is a very friendly environment and I settled in quickly. Developers are arranged in small teams and it is great that the vast majority of them are all under one roof rather than scattered around the country, making for a more collaborative atmosphere.


Why OpenBet:
I chose to join OpenBet because I wanted to work on cutting edge web solutions as it dovetailed well with my university qualifications.

My interviewer explained the company culture and work ethic and it sounded a compelling story. It was not easy to get through the interview process though, and when you are here you realise why - there are so many bright people in the business and you need to be at the top of your game.

I am in the early stages of my career and I wanted to join a company where I would have the flexibility to try different things, not be pigeonholed into a single role. OpenBet offered me the chance of that variety.