Jim Brooks is an Executive Account Director at Inspired Testing, a Dynamic Technologies group company. In this role he’s responsible for building relationships with key clients globally. He heads up the Delivery and Account Management team, which serves several functions from assuring delivery of services to clients and account managing the commercial engagements to supporting the deployed Inspired Testing people.
“My role involves supporting the team to evolve and mature the function – ultimately growing the business through excellent client relationships and engagement,” says Brooks. He also contributes to sales by identifying new business opportunities and taking clients through the process from engagement to delivery.
Brooks works remotely from Clyst St George, a village on the outskirts of Exeter in southwestern England, travelling to client sites and Inspired Testing’s offices for face-to-face time when needed. This enables him to balance his work and personal life. “I’m enjoying the tail end of my children’s childhoods; I want to make sure that I can sufficiently prioritise my family and friends who I count on for my own wellbeing. I enjoy my time with them and seek out adventures to bind us all closer together for the years ahead.”
Drawn to Inspired Testing organically, Brooks was impressed by what he saw. “I was working in competition with Inspired Testing, but I always enjoyed my interactions with the Inspired leadership team and was impressed by their social media presence and quality of content. When an opportunity arose to engage directly, I immediately resonated with the culture, the business challenges and the buzz of how we respond to those challenges. I felt that my experience and learnings gained through working on the leadership team of another testing organisation as they grew exponentially lent itself well to where Inspired Testing is on their journey, and that my contributions would be valued and benefit the business and our people.”
A driven and motivated team player and leader by example, Brooks has the short- and long-term success of the business in mind. He says, “I want to improve the effectiveness and wellbeing of the Delivery and Account Management Team by ensuring that they have sustainable and scalable ways to work that enable them to focus on their professional growth and the growth of the business and our people.” He adds, “I’d also like to build on my contribution to the leadership, helping to navigate the inevitable growth pains that will come, while also fostering a sense of fun and enjoyment that will energise our people to succeed in solving those challenges.”
He believes in the value of Inspired Testing, their talent, and their way of working, and says, “Having South Africa as the engine room for our services offers European clients an attractive price point, highly skilled and articulate talent, and a closer cultural and time zone fit. Our ability to leverage this talent, augmented by onsite and remote talent from India, Mauritius and Argentina, means that we strike a balance between cost, quality, and time.”
Brooks is comfortable with the Dynamic Technologies culture. He says, “Diversity by inclusion means that Inspired Testing recognises that talent can be found anywhere, and that everyone has something to contribute. It suggests that we’re open to all and that we nurture an inclusive environment where all can be heard and succeed.” He adds, “I have lived in Hong Kong, Qatar, Kuwait, Japan, South Africa, and Scotland. I love that I work closely with a multicultural team with different backgrounds, skills and challenges but with common business goals.”
Describing himself as patient, encouraging and outgoing, Brooks says, “I’m optimistic and fun; I’m naturally trusting of people and open and expressive of myself. I’m an out-of-the-box thinker, creative and always ready to try something new. I’m not afraid to fail. If I’m not failing, I’m not trying hard enough, and I like to encourage my team to not be afraid of failing either.”
Much of Brooks’ success in his role is because of his genuine interest in people. He says, “I’m a social creature, and I love to be with family and friends. I enjoy being on the water, fishing or playing with boats and exploring the coastline. I love golf and all kinds of bat and ball games, depending on the season. I coach kids at my village cricket club, and I support my local rugby team, the Exeter Chiefs. In my quiet time I love to cook and bake bread for my family and friends. I enjoy films, especially sci-fi, and I read an awful lot of fiction.”