What a December so far! We’ve had some snow across the UK, putting us into that Christmas mood, a series of new customers with some exciting projects on the go and now two new starters to the company. We’re happy to welcome our latest member of the data team, Tom Bomer.

Hello and welcome to the Firemind team Tom! It’s great to have you with us. To our viewers, could you please tell us a little about yourself and your professional background?

After I finished school I went to Manchester Metropolitan University where I studied Economics. I then saved some money and did a bit of travelling for a year. In September 2021 I started my MSc in Data Science (DS) and AI at Queen Mary University.

How did you find out about us and what made you decide to apply for a role with Firemind?

I met Phodi, co-founder of a recruitment company called Fetcha, at a careers fair at Queen Mary University. Fetcha works closely with Firemind. I then heard from Phodi a few weeks later and was put on an interview the same afternoon, it all happened very quickly!

Which areas of our business interested you the most?

I was most interested in the AI/Machine Learning and Data & Analytics areas of the business. After speaking to Charlie and Ahmed, the co-founders, I was excited about the growth Firemind has had and the high potential it has for the future.

What will be your main goals/objectives whilst working at Firemind?

My main goal is to learn as much as I possibly can. My focus is on data science, but I am also open to learning about cloud engineering and solutions architectures.

What are some highlights of the job over the last few days?

The people! Everyone has been so friendly. I joined just in time for the Christmas party so that was a good way to kickstart the social side of my time at Firemind.

Which aspects of the job are you most excited about?

Getting to know people better; and getting stuck into projects. I learn most effectively by doing, which involves making mistakes and learning from them quickly.

What do you hope to achieve within your first 12 months here?

Passing my probation is the primary aim! If and when I do that I will sit down and plan my objectives for the next six months… one step at a time.

Outside of work, what do you get up to? Tell us about your hobbies.

I like getting comfortable with a good book, a cup of tea and some cake – it’s the simple things. I love being amongst nature or exploring cities with my camera. And I try to stay fit by playing football and going to gym classes.

What’s your favourite song on your playlist right now?

Hmm, probably Carbonated by Mount Kimbie.

Any fun nicknames we should know about?

Tom Bo*er, I think that’s self-explanatory…

If you could only chose one dish to eat every meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Dragon sushi roll, or a spaghetti bolognese.

What is at the top of your bucket list?

I’d love to travel around Japan and other parts of Asia.

What is one skill you would really love to learn?

I’d like to get better at chess!

How do you wind down after work?

With some fresh air, a glass of wine or beer (with a friend) and some warmth – be it in the sunshine or by the fireplace.

We’re growing from strength to strength, expanding our diverse and specialised team to enable us to work faster, smarter and have more fun along the way!

Visit our Careers page for further details about the Firemind culture.