Simon Tait BSc Electronic Engineering, 1984

Principal at Capgemini Consulting

What was your first job?
Member of professional staff, Logica.

My degree helped to develop my ability to model and conceptualise which is essential to much architecture and design work.

What is your current role and what does it entail?

I'm currently the Principal at Capgemini Consulting. The role involves giving advice to CIOs on strategy and operations, scoping and planning of assignments and major projects and programme management of business and technology transformation programmes, such as a Capgemini programme to general Euro 200m additional sales through India and a programme to improve online account opening for corporate customers for a UK bank. I have developed my management consulting skills and knowledge of IT strategy, architecture, business transformation and leadership. I also have line management responsibility for managing consultants, responsibility for developing consulting offers for IT strategy, IT operating model and IT programme delivery and for recruitment.

What has been your favourite job since graduation?
My favourite job has been my current job because of the variety of work and opportunity to work in different locations such as Switzerland, France, Germany, US and India.

What have been the turning points in your career?
Joining a software engineering start up and being acquired by Deloitte Consulting because this introduced me to management consulting per se.

What are you most proud of?
The personal project I did on computer music and articles I published.

What advice would you give to students?
Talk to Alumni about possibilities and their view of the industry because it is always changing. Don't pigeon hole yourself! I am also a music composer and classical pianist (amateur).

How did your university education prepare you for your career?
I obtained a good degree from a good school. Also, my degree helped to develop my ability to model and conceptualise which is essential to much architecture and design work.

Are you involved with the university as an alumnus?
Yes, I attended a reception at the IET. I read Hartley news! I would like to help Alumni in their career choices.