Chris Callaghan - Getting To Know You

He’s been here longer than most, so many of our customers will have already met Technical Consultant and Support Supremo Chris Callaghan. Chris has been a pivotal member of the support team for the past 11 years. His extensive experience and expertise are instrumental in handling complex technical challenges, providing project guidance, and delivering innovative solutions, making him an indispensable asset to RPC in our success and ongoing technical excellence.

Where are you based?  

I tend to split my time between home and the office these days. I only live a 10-minute drive from the office so it’s an easy commute either way! 

Tell us a bit about yourself

I was born and bred in Baildon, Bradford where I still live today with my wife, Keely. My parents, brother, his wife and my niece & nephew also still live in Baildon – we are lucky to have some of our close family living so close to us. 

How has your career path brought you to RPC?

Before RPC, I attended Staffordshire University to study both Sports Studies and Journalism. I guess I fancied the idea of being the next Jeff Stelling! When I returned to Yorkshire, I took on a few jobs here and there, including working in a bar and for Santander Bank. I was made aware of an IT Support opportunity at RPC through a family connection which seemed really interesting. Having gained both a GNVQ and an A Level in IT at school, I always had an interest in computers and software so it seemed like a perfect opportunity for me to see if I could turn that interest into something a little more. Here we are over a decade later!  

What attracted you to RPC? 

After University, I was looking for a career and something I could see myself doing for a long time and the opportunity at RPC seemed too good to miss. Being local, I already knew a bit about RPC through family and friends (and also their sponsoring of local charities & events). It was clear from the outset that it wasn’t like any other company I’d experienced or heard about – in a good way, of course. It’s a company that feels just like one big family and just one of many reasons why I am still here over 10 years later! 

What are you working on right now?

I’ve been working on a number of customer upgrades and migrations, as well as working on the RPC Support desk day-to-day as and when required. Currently, the main project I am focusing on is the upgrade of our RPC Hosting Primavera Cloud Service environment. With over 60 customers to migrate and upgrade it’s a complex task that myself and the rest of the support team are undertaking. We are bringing some interesting improvements to the service for our Hosting customers this year, which we are really excited about getting out to them by the end of 2023. 

What do you like best about your job? 

Each day is different and there is always a new challenge to tackle or overcome. The IT industry is ever-changing and evolving, which I believe keeps it interesting. It’s always exciting to see where things could lead to next, in both the industry but also what influence and opportunities that could have for RPC. 

What do you do in your spare time? 

I love playing guitar, watching my beloved football team Bradford City live, attending gigs, drinking New England Pale Ales and playing darts. 

When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? 

I was obsessed with being an Airline pilot. If we ever went on holiday as a kid my favourite part was actually getting on the plane, the take-off and landing.  

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given? 

Life is like a rollercoaster; you just have to ride it. 

What’s on your desk? 

A mug of coffee, an unread book called the Satsuma Complex by Bob Mortimer as well as an audio interface machine for whenever I get chance to record some guitar. 

How do you like your tea? 

Given the choice I prefer a strong Coffee, but if I’m having a cup of tea, it always has to be strong with a small dash of milk! 

Dog or cat? 

I’m allergic to cats so I’d have to definitely say dog!  

If your house was on fire, what 3 things would you save? 

My wife, my guitar and my Bradford City season ticket! 

What would your superpower be? 

Unsurprisingly, given I wanted to be a pilot when I was younger, I’d definitely love the ability to fly!