Phil Talbot

When did you join Matrix?
October 1998 – yes the 90’s

Job title:
Head of Technical Services

What does your job involve?
Where to start, if it has a plug on it... Looking after the network infrastructure across our head office, branch offices, and collocation facility. Design, planning, and implementation of all aspects of this infrastructure. I also look after most things related to Business Continuity, Security and ensuring we operate resilient, efficient and secure systems in all these environments.

I also work with our TAM department to ensure solutions are technically viable and provide a good user experience as well as streamlined backend.

What do you most enjoy about your job?
I enjoy being able to help drive the company’s progress from a technical perspective, and managing a team that implements all the things above.  I like being in control of my decisions (most of the time).

What is the most challenging aspect of it?
Juggling multiple projects, if only those pesky sales guys stopped selling clever solutions... Oh and website changes (that’s one for marketing).

Describe yourself in 3 words:
Cheeky, approachable, NOT_A_GEEK

What's the best journey you've taken?
In 2001 took a mini road-trip in California and Nevada, taking in San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego, Las Vegas.  We flew into San Fran, spent a few days and then made our way down the coastal road, which weaved and had some amazing views, we stopped at Carmel and Monterray overnight on the way, taking in a surfing competition (from the comfort of the beach).

What uninvented gadget does the world need?
The world peace stun gun...

Favourite Quotation:
“Work to live, don’t live to work (but make sure you do a good job though!)”
Phil Talbot 2010