Meet your IT Superhero...

We're delighted to announce that Toby Brown is the winner of this year's IT Superheroes. We'd also like to congratulate our runners up, Chris Lowden and Robert Howard.

In September, Firebrand Training and ComputerWeekly.com launched a competition to look for the men and women with the power to fight the stereotypical image of the geeky IT pro. IT specialists with the proven ability to achieve excellent results in both the professional and personal spheres.

Toby, who works for Italian achitectural lightening company iGuzzini, told ComputerWeekly.com that he was proud to be voted our IT superhero and he hoped his video captured the spirit of the competition. "I tried to show the things that happen in our daily lives that rely on software and computers . IT is not all code and cold pizza, there are a lot of great things we do with it too."

Toby wins an iPod Touch and up to £6k's of IT training with Firebrand Training.

Congratulations!

All at Firebrand Training

Toby Brown

What are your achievements in the IT industry?

Recently joined a company in a real mess, with three months to move to a new £20million office. Had to assess, stabilise, then move the IT infrastructure, then stabilise post move and now working on improvements.

Also run web and various bits in spare time, as well as running a successful supporters website that even gets me on TV and radio quite often! I moved to London when I was 18 and worked in stock market systems, then law, then digi marketing, then on my own. I now combine all skills learned and I’m always looking to learn more. Now about to roll out a new ERP system, 18 months behind schedule, by Dec 5th!

Why are you passionate about IT and how do you show this?

Everything relies on it. It's like the old joke about the bloke in the bar not wanting to talk politics, then realising that encompasses every subject! IT is the same now, it is so ingrained in all parts of life and it's potential is incredible, I try not to talk in boring terms, but enthusiastically about what we can do!

Why should you be chosen as an IT Superhero?

Because I'm not your typical IT guy and I have saved so many companies and helped many too. I have not been beaten by a project yet and every company I've worked for has been impressed with what I do. Job aside, I'm a mild mannered bl**dy nice bloke too, just no glasses to mask my real identity.

P.S. Pick me or I'll fly there and unplug your servers :-)

P.P.S. I wouldn't really, I'd only feel inclined to boot them up again.

Christopher John Lowden

What are your achievements in the IT industry?

The successful development and implementation of two totally independent IT projects during the last five and a half years in my current position. An electronic data interface between a hundred mobile Oracle inventory server systems and a static UK based asset tracking ingress server system saving thousands of man hours and swivel chair input action in the deployed environment.

Much more recently, a complete logistic systems deployment kit which brings together five independent IT systems onto a single laptop platform and packs into a single deployable rugged case with all its peripheral requirements. The storage case opens up into a complete mobile office with seat, desk, peripherals and an online guide to aid the successful configuration of the equipment set. The storage and transportation of the equipment set are a quarter of the original equipment requirements.

I have continued to study and improve my skill set attending IT training courses throughout this period of development and found the time to travel from Oxford to Staffs University Stoke-on-Trent Technology Campus one day a week to complete my part time Bsc (hons) in applied computing. So far I have achieved distinction and merit module passes and hope to complete the course later in 2009.

In 2006 I received a certificate signed by the Prime Minister of Australia for my efforts as the Team England Logistics Manager at the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games.

Why are you passionate about IT and how do you show this?

I love my Job working on Logistic IT systems because of the places it can take me and the interesting people it places me in contact with. These people can be anyone from Tony and Cherie Blair, top world-class athletes to primary school children in Pune India.

Not only do I give 101% of my time and ability to the Ministry of Defence but I also have a voluntary position as the Commonwealth Games Team England Logistics Manager which also takes me all over the world to different countries and cultures. I take on anything and everything they throw at me from transport, clothing to technical secure Wi-Fi connectivity problems. I have been trusted to repair top world-class athlete's personal laptops and data as well as fit them out with shorts and t-shirts. I love my Job so much; I recently turned down an IT contracting position with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, which would have grossed over £8,000 a month in salary.

As a serving Warrant Officer in the military I earn less than half that amount currently however, job satisfaction feeds my passion for what I do currently and I don't want it to end.

Why should you be chosen as an IT Superhero?

I feel that my current position fits your IT "Superhero", especially when I'm on temporary duty in Afghanistan and Iraq setting up satellite communication links, repairing, upgrading existing equipment in the logistics role under mortar fire. In these harsh conditions I share my stories of when I was a physical training instructor with logistic troops and discuss army boxing, skiing, charity events, and expeditions we got to do from time to time, like cycling across America for sick children.

I explain, that because of what I do, it places me in positions such as having lunch with Tony and Cherie Blair at the Commonwealth Games, introducing England's top athletes and what difficulties we have had with logistics. This chit chat lifts their spirits and gives them the strength to continue with their jobs, knowing I do it because I enjoy it more than anything I've done previously. Logistic IT systems are essential for successful operations, and saving lives, humanitarian or war fighting. The supply chain would not be what it is today without IT and the "Geeks" that maintain it, every successful task leaves me with an overwhelming feeling of satisfaction. Is this the IT "Superhero" you're looking for?

Robert Howard

What are your achievements in the IT industry?

I have been in the IT industry for around 18 years. I have also run my own business for four years, giving small businesses a great service at a sensible price.

I also passed my CCNA/CCDA last year with Firebrand, which was self funded. My family had no holiday that year to cover the course and it was worth every penny.

I have worked hard in the IT industry for years to gain the knowledge and professionalism I have today.

Why are you passionate about IT and how do you show this?

I love IT and always have done, I spend most of my free time learning, testing and playing with new software and hardwear when other men are down the pub.

I will always love IT and will keep learning and gaining more knowledge. It all started when I got my first spectrum when I was a boy and it had me hooked.

Why should you be chosen as an IT Superhero?

I should be chosen as an IT hero as I am doing all this for my family to better their lives and to improve IT.

I would love to be the next Bill Gates and do as much for this industry as he has and more if I can.

Please pick me as your IT Superhero and I will stop the trojans attacking.