Director of Integration Services Ian Bryant relocated to Shropshire from Hampshire with his wife and three children over a year ago.
I joined Capgemini four years ago after 15 years in mainstream IT and telecoms global outsourcing environments, including a short spell in a business start up. I initially came on board with responsibility for commercial negotiations within Capgemini telecommunications and media networks, before moving into their mainstream outsourcing business with specific focus on public sector development. During the early part of 2004 I became aware of the opportunity within the Capgemini ASPIRE business. This opportunity presented me with a chance to utilise my existing operational management skills, and also apply the commercial knowledge I had gained working as both customer and supplier in outsourced environments. It was a significant step for me, professionally and personally, and one that would involve relocating my family from Hampshire.
In all honesty, Shropshire was a pleasant surprise. My knowledge of the area wasn’t extensive, and there are a number of misconceptions that I had about Telford itself. In fact, rather than a primarily industrial area as I had expected, Shropshire is actually a very rural setting that still has good transport links to other areas of the UK. My family has adapted to the move particularly well. The education facilities here are superb, with strongly performing schools that really encourage family values. Where we have chosen to live, the children get a great balance of space and closeness to the facilities they need to pursue their hobbies and interests. As a family we have been able to access a much better quality of life, and buy a lovely country house for far less than the equivalent in Hampshire. I also benefit from just a 25-minute drive through the countryside to work. This has been a great move for me. I get the opportunity to work on the largest commodity – based outsourcing contract in the market, for a company with an open culture that promotes self empowerment and career development, and my family are happy and are looking forward to our future in Shropshire.
