Profile

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Tom Kingham

    • About Me

      🌐 I build the Cloud and make sure it never switches off

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      I work for a Data Center operator. A Data Center is a very large, secure building containing thousands of servers that store and process data for cloud service providers, like Google and Amazon Web Services. 🏢💻👨‍💻

       

      These buildings basically are the Cloud, and without them you wouldn’t be able to stream Netflix, Instagram, or Fortnight, or join a Zoom call. Something else that is essential for streaming is the fiber network (cables carrying data) that sit under the sea, cities and countryside connecting every corner of the globe. ☁ 🌍🌐

       

      I help ensure that these data centres are designed to operate in the most energy efficient way and be as sustainable as possible whilst ensuring that they never switch off or overheat. 🔥
      I am a Mechanical and Electrical Engineer and I specialist in energy efficient cooling systems. The aim of my work is to keep the internet running without compromising the environment. 🦸‍♂️

       

    • My pronouns are

      he/him

    • My Work

      Cloud builder

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      I am responsible for designing, building and operating the data centres that are home to the Cloud. Everything that runs on the internet (iPhone, iCloud, Fortnite, Netflix, Zoom…) passes through these buildings. Imagine if your game stopped working all of a sudden, or if Netflix stopped in the middle of your favourite TV series… well that could well be as a result of the data centre. My aim is to never let that happen so you can always watch your favourite TV whenever you like

    • My Typical Day: Some days I will be in Paris, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Dublin or Madrid and others I will be at home in London. My work allows me to travel the world so no day is ever the same

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      On my normal day, I work from home. I start my day with a bike ride and then sit down to a Zoom call at around 8.30am with my team. My day is filled with a lot of conversations on Teams or on the phone and answering emails. I take a break at around 6pm when I will spend time with my young children and put them to bed. Sometimes I will have phone calls later in the evening with my colleagues in America.

    Curriculum Vitae

    • Education:

      Abingdon School, Nottingham University and London South Bank University

    • Qualifications:

      GCSE: 3A*, 6A, 2B. AS Level: B. A2 Level A, B, D. BEng Mechanical Engineering, MSc Building Services Engineering

    • Work History:

      Barman, Building Labourer, Butler, Engineering design consultant, Engineer

    • Current Job:

      Director, Engineering Europe.

    • My Interview

      • What's the best thing you've done in your career?

        I spent time working in Australia and South Africa

        What was your favourite subject at school?

        Physics

        What did you want to be after you left school?

        A Tractor Driver

        Were you ever in trouble at school?

        Yes - I found it hard to understand how what I was learning would relate to anything useful

        If you weren't doing this job, what would you choose instead?

        Farmer

        What's your favourite food?

        Vietnamese

        What is the most fun thing you've done?

        Skydiving in Brisbane, Australia

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