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Meet the Team - Ken Panter - IT Engineer
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It's hard to miss Ken when he walks into the office. At six foot seven he towers over the rest of us and has an infectious laugh which endears him to everyone. Ken is one of our IT engineers based at Cheltenham.
In this article we let him tell you a bit more about himself.
Ken by Ken
"Hi all, for some bizarre reason this months profile is on me. If you've ever logged a call for IT hardware or software support, it is likely that we have spoken. Some of you will have met me, but for those who have not, I will be the tall 6 ft 7 guy ducking as he enters the room.
I joined the PSU IT engineering team back in April 2005. My background in IT started over 20 years ago when I worked for a software company based in Slough. Following that, I spent 13 years working for another IT company in Hemel Hempstead; but my desire was always to get back to Cheltenham, my home town.
The qualities I like to think I bring to the job are politeness, charm and a degree of expertise. But if all that fails, I have a great bunch of guys around me and if one of them doesn't know the answer, it’s not worth knowing.
What do you all do at PSU I hear you cry out, the systems are so reliable. Why do they need an engineering team? Well, as with all good things, processes may fall over and problems can occur. That’s where we come in. As soon as you log a call with the 'quite' diminutive Leanne, it appears on our computer screens and Blackberries, we will either give you call, connect to your network remotely, or visit you at your site to resolve the problem. Easy when you think about it.
Even whilst working away for so many years, I would return nearly every weekend to play football or cricket, depending on the season. Despite age creeping up on me, I still play cricket for a local team, but have had to give up the football.
I have been privileged to have helped St. Stephens Cricket Club as chairman, treasurer, captain of the 1st XI team and player over the last 28 years. St. Stephens is one of the oldest cricket clubs in Cheltenham having been found in 1884.
The quick minded amongst you will realise that I started playing cricket there when I was thirteen; a wee nipper (well that’s a lie as I was never a wee nipper). I have always been tall but back then I was a lot fitter.
Out of work I have no great talents like Kate who sings, Jonny who goes on Russian expeditions and Leanne who can take parties to the next level. To relax during the week I play texas hold’em poker with a group of friends, socialise down the pub and have started swimming most mornings. Weekend evenings are the time to totally relax (providing we are not working) and Cheltenham is my stomping ground.
When I go on holiday I either like to get away to somewhere hot where I can scuba dive and soak up those warm rays, or go somewhere like Orlando Florida where I can behave like a big kid, or finally go somewhere cold with lots of snow so I can Ski, yes, I Ski.
Ken pictured with his niece whilst on a ski-ing holiday
I started Skiing 3 years ago and I love it. I never thought I would, but was hooked after the first few lessons. I have even started snow boarding lessons at Milton Keynes snow dome. I have to admit that someone my size trying to snowboard does look funny (sorry no pictures of that you will have to make up your own using your imaginations.)
I have been lucky enough to have travelled extensively during my life to places such as South Africa, Mauritius, Jamica, Malta, Egypt, Italy and many more.
In the coming years I would like to get to places such as Australia, New Zealand, Thailand and Japan. There are so many cultures to experience and places I still have to see.
I lived in Malta for 4 years when I was young. What a great time; loads of sun, sandy beaches, clear blue sea to swim in and a fantastic history. Don’t get me started as I could tell you all about the Knight’s of St John. I'll just finish with a quotation by Grandmaster Jean de la Valette who said in 1565 AD, "Servire infirmis supremum imperium" which translates as "the service to the sick is the supreme command." Fitting really as I work in IT! ...... OK, OK.... you got me started.
Life just keeps getting better! Enjoy it!
