For the latest edition of our ‘meet the team’ series, we spoke to Ian Thomas, Head of IT at Bevan Buckland. With 25 years at the firm, Ian Thomas has been the driving force behind IT systems and innovation. In this feature, Ian shares how his early introduction to IT through his family shaped his career, what a typical day in his role looks like, and the projects he finds most rewarding.
Q: Please tell me a bit about yourself.
I live with my partner Julie and our cat Zarra. Outside of work, I try to make the most of my free time by getting outdoors and enjoying the beautiful surroundings near where we live. I enjoy walking the cliff paths, stand-up paddleboarding and skateboarding. I run Mumbles Skatepark Association and worked with the council to get the new skatepark built on the promenade at Llwynderw. In the winter months, you’ll find me in the garage restoring my Land Rover Defender.
Q: How did you first get into IT?
My grandfather served as a radio operator during the Second World War, stationed in Scotland, where he was involved in intercepting communications for Bletchley Park. Following the war, he established a business selling radios, expanding into televisions during the 1960s.
When he retired in the mid-1980s, my dad took over the business and was approached to start selling computers. We were the first independent computer shop in South Wales and the first IBM, Sage and Epson dealers in the area. I began working in the business immediately after finishing school.
Q: How long have you been at Bevan Buckland, and what’s your current role?
My current role is Head of IT. I looked after the computer network in Bevan Buckland for several years whilst working for the family business. My father retired, and the business was sold at the same time Bevan Buckland was looking to bring an IT role in-house. It was a natural transition for me, as I already knew all the staff and offices, and that was 25 years ago!
Q: What does a typical day look like in your role?
I check my emails and Microsoft Teams messages whilst having breakfast before heading into the office, so I already have a good idea what lies ahead.
Once I arrive, anyone experiencing IT problems, I tell them to apply all updates and reboot, whilst I grab myself a coffee. A typical day involves troubleshooting any IT issues, patching, ordering and installing new equipment and attending IT review meetings with our IT partners.
Q: What do you find most interesting/rewarding about your work?
I enjoy being involved in projects. For example, I’ve contributed to initiatives such as business continuity planning, and the complete migration of our IT infrastructure to the cloud.
In a business where staff work to chargeable time, ensuring that systems remain reliable across all offices with maximum uptime is critical. Being part of projects that deliver this level of stability and efficiency is rewarding.
Q: What keeps you at Bevan Buckland?
That’s an easy one — it’s the people. Having been with the firm for such a long time, the Partners feel more like friends than superiors, which makes the working environment both welcoming and collaborative. Over the years, it’s been exciting to witness the firm’s continued growth and success, year on year, and to feel that I’m part of that journey. They offer a range of employee benefits, support a healthy work–life balance, and are a great employer.
Q: What skills are the most crucial to succeeding in this career?
The IT industry is changing rapidly, and advances in AI are set to speed up that evolution even further. If you have a genuine interest in IT and a passion for learning new technologies, the career will come to you.
