Unifier Spotlight
Unifiers, a diverse and passionate team, are vital to Unity’s success. With varied backgrounds and skillsets, we unite to achieve our common goal: success. We harness our collective expertise to innovate and empower our customers. In our newsletter and on our website, we aim to spotlight a different member of the team, so that you can get to know all of our wonderful unifiers.
Michael Long
What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?
Sports Journalism, exploring the world while following your favourite sports.
Tell me about your background and how you came to this role?
I have never been through further education; I’ve had a plumbing apprenticeship when I was 16 and went straight to trade college but I have always had an interest in the world of tech. The business I was working for had went out of business and I found a great opportunity to work in a growing IT team at a local solicitor. Fast forward 14 years and here I am.
What is one thing you wish people knew about your job?
IT & technology isn’t everything with a plug, it’s a complex, bespoke solution for each different business. We have the expertise & knowledge to apply these best solutions. Almost like an architect and a builder rolled into one.
Chris Thomas
What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?
I would of like to attempt being an electrician or even a plumber.
Tell me about your background and how you came to this role?
After leaving school I did an apprenticeship where I found my first job working for a company partnership with the council, after being made redundant I moved onto working in education as an IT technician for several years, after a brief job change into mobile phone repairs, I started at Unity.
What is one thing you wish people knew about your job?
Fixes can sometime never be explained in technology, especially with a restart.
Dale Waring
Are there any upcoming projects you’re excited about?
Yeah, we’re currently working on our customer portal with a brand-new quoting engine and online ordering facility, the possibilities are endless and will help kick the business on to the next level of that, I am sure.
What helpful resources do you rely on in your job role that you rely on?
The task bar in outlook is an absolute god send, I tell everybody in the office never ask me to do something in person I need emailing so I can flag it.
Share an interesting or lesser-known fact about yourself that people would find surprising or amusing.
I’ve scored a penalty at the Riverside past Ex-Premier League Goalkeeper Marlon Beresford, I celebrated by doing the robot and Former Boro, Forest and England Player Colin Cooper complimented me on my dancing, and I turned into an absolute fan girl.
I have video proof of the penalty if anyone is interested…
Stephen Harrington
What is your favourite saying?
I always liked a famous quote by Abraham Lincoln’s “it is better to remain silent and be thought of a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt.”
Are there any upcoming projects that you are excited about?
We are also working on our marketing strategy and plans for that which I really want us to have in place too. We all have defined goals that we want to achieve to help drive the business forwards.
What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?
I’d have loved to have been a professional athlete, a footballer or cricketer ideally. Unfortunately, I lack the natural talent for that! Failing that I’d like to have done something creative yet challenging…. something like an architect or an author.
Heather Brinsley
What is your favourite word?
Toodles!
What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?
Maths Teacher or Fire Fighter.
If heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the pearly gates?
Your dogs are waiting for you.
Gavin Scotchbrook
What is your favourite word?
Morning.
What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?
A chef because I have a great passion for cooking.
If heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the pearly gates?
You did more good than bad Gavin so come on in.