In The Spotlight – Chris Rygalski

    Christopher Rygalski
    4th September 2024
    Home » Blog Posts » In The Spotlight – Chris Rygalski

    Our In the Spotlight series lets you get to know some of our team better. That might be their hobbies, favourite book or what they would take to a desert island with them. This time we’re talking to Chris who is our IT Manager.

    Q: What is your role at SW and how did you get into a career in the said job role?
    A: I am an IT Manager, I have graduated from Leeds Beckett Uni back in 2016 in Computing & Networking and have always been interested in technology.
    Apart from that, I was always the “tech support” for family and friends from a very young age and could figure things out rather quickly and I thought why not make a career out of it!
    Q: If applicable what did you do before SW?
    A: I worked as an IT Technician and IT Infrastructure Engineer.
    Q: What are we likely to find you doing on a day-to-day basis?
    A:  I am responsible for planning, coordinating, implementing and maintaining technology-related projects in the company. I am also the main point of escalation for any technological issues.
    Most of my work is done “behind the curtains” so to speak. Very often it involves back-end infrastructure changes that aren’t going to be immediately noticeable by our users.
    Q: What kind of problem might you solve on a typical day / week?
    A: It varies wildly – From very simple IT equipment ordering or writing documentation through managing various software licence renewals and finishing on making network changes to improve efficiency or security.
    Q: What’s the most rewarding part of your job?
    A:  Being able to see my projects come into fruition and be utilized by my colleagues.
    Q: Tell us what makes SW different…
    A:  I very much enjoy the positive atmosphere that’s here at SW. I feel like I can talk to anybody and we’ll always find a common topic.
    There’s also a positive enforcement on work/life balance and the company is flexible on their WFH policies.
    Q: What three words do you think (hope!) your colleagues would use to describe you?
    A: Helpful, Determined and Efficient
    Q: What are we most likely to find you doing when you’re not at work? /Hobbies?
    A:  I like reading books, cooking, watching movies, spending time with my other half and playing video games.
    As of recently I’m also trying to keep active by biking and going to the gym.
    Q: What’s your favourite spot in Yorkshire and why?
    A:  Bridlington as a town and North Landing beach were incredible sights
    Q: What’s your party trick?
    A:  Not a party trick per se but I can spend my money incredibly fast when left unsupervised!
    Q: Favourite chocolate/sweet/food etc?
    A:  I’m a massive fan of burgers of all varieties!
    Q: Favourite book/podcast/tv show/film?
    A:  Lord of the Rings trilogy
    Q: Name something off your bucket list?
    A: I’d like to visit Australia / New Zealand some day.
    Q: Favourite/dream holiday destination?
    A: Has to be any of the Greek Islands
    Q: Role model/inspiration?
    A: Henry Cavill
    Q: If you were stuck on a desert island what 3 objects would you take?
    A: 3 different 5-star holiday resorts!
    …but in all seriousness probably a fire starter, knife and a first aid kit
    Q: Tell us a surprising/fun fact about yourself
    A: I have had a knee replacement recently which has gone very well so I’m technically a cyborg!
    Q: If you could learn a new skill what would it be?
    A:  Probably a new language like Mandarin.
    Q: What is your favourite quote?
    A: “A society grows great when old men plant trees whose shade they know they shall never sit in.”
    Q: What was your first record/concert/cd/music download?
    A:  Michael Jackson – Beat It

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