Two decades at Sogeti with
Colin, the beginning of a long
journey

Can you tell us a bit about yourself?

My journey began in Dublin, where I studied IT application development at Griffith College. Before joining Sogeti, my career had already taken me across Europe and the United States – from working as an Oracle consultant in Ireland to working at a NATO agency in Munich, Germany, transitioning to SAP consulting and even spending a year in Budapest supporting the setup of a shared service centre. I have also worked in UCD, Guinness, Diageo and Avid technologies to name but a few.

Can you summarize your professional evolution at Sogeti and the roles you have held during your journey?

It’s been quite a journey over these past two decades. I joined Sogeti back in 2006 as a SAP functional consultant but the company has provided me with remarkable growth opportunities since then. I have been fortunate enough to lead the SAP consulting practice, taken on engagement management roles, handle program management and oversee transitions. Today, as Operations Manager, I bridge the gap between our clients’ needs and our talented consultants ensuring both sides thrive in their respective environments.

What do you find most fulfilling about your role and why have you chosen to build a long-term career at Sogeti?

What’s particularly satisfying about my journey is the transition from my technical IT background to focusing on management and people development. This transition has been both challenging and immensely rewarding. Although I will always claim to be a techy “at heart”. The best thing about Sogeti is the variety. As Operations Manager, I wear multiple hats, including staffing manager and involvement on the pre-saes activity. There truly is never a dull moment! This variety of responsibilities keeps me engaged and continues to provide new learning opportunities, even after all these years. I have also enjoyed seeing people where I have been involved in the hiring process, go on to progress in the industry whether it be in Sogeti or elsewhere.

What market trends do you observe with customers and in business analysis today?

One observation I have consistently made is that different clients often have significantly diverse perceptions about certain roles such as Business Analyst. The types of activities and deliverables they expect can vary significantly. Consequently, our Business Analysts must demonstrate flexibility and adapt to the specific requirements of each client. Additionally, there is a growing trend among clients to seek consultants who not only possess relevant experience but must also hold specific professional/technical qualifications. This aligns with Sogeti’s policy of ensuring that consultants obtain at least one new qualification per year.

What is the most memorable moment you have had at Sogeti? We know there’s probably many!

One of my most cherished memories at Sogeti comes from my early days here; We were working on a bid for a large SAP project, spending late nights in the office fuelled by pizza and determination. I remember driving the physical paper proposal documents (yes it was that long ago!) into town to deliver at the client and the exhilaration when we won that significant piece of work. These collaborative victories create bonds that last throughout your career.

What are your hobbies?

After challenging workdays, I unwind by spending time with my children at the park or swimming etc – a reminder of what’s truly important in life. As a proud Ireland football supporter I am a season ticket holder and have occasionally got to travel to away games (more in hope than expectations!)

You have been featured on RTÉ Radio 1 for your remarkable act of bravery in rescuing a woman and her dog from the Royal Canal. Can you share that incredible story?

It all happened so quickly that Saturday morning, during a morning walk along the canal when I spotted a unfortunate scene about a hundred meters ahead of a woman on a mobility scooter who had accidentally reversed into the water with her dog. In that moment, there wasn’t even time to think. I sprinted over, waded straight into the cold water, and managed to bring both Teresa and her dog safely to shore. I left shortly after, ensuring they were okay and that emergency services had arrived, not realising the full story until later when Teresa reached out to the radio station to express her gratitude. It was great to hear that Teresa and Toby the dog had suffered no lasting ill effects after their unplanned dip in the canal.

What an extraordinary act of courage, Colin. And we have learned this selflessness extends to other areas of your life as well. You are also a dedicated blood donor with quite a personal connection to the cause. Could you tell us a little bit more about that?

My relationship with blood donation began in childhood, actually. When I was 8 or 9 years old, I would run around the donation clinic while my father rolled up his sleeve to give blood. That early exposure planted an important seed. Later in life, working at organizations like UCD and Guinness that hosted regular blood drives made it convenient to become a donor myself.

I’m a regular at the D’Olier Street donation centre in Dublin and even organized a donation drive with my Sogeti colleagues during a project in Kerry.

I would urge everyone to consider becoming a blood donor. It takes so little from us—just an hour of time, a slight pinch, and a bit of recovery with tea and biscuits—but it can literally save someone’s life. Few things we do in our daily routines carry that kind of impact.

Describe Sogeti in three words

If I had to describe Sogeti in just three words, they would be: Friendly, Dedicated, and Innovative . These qualities permeate everything we do, from how we treat each other to how we serve our clients.