Sometimes we forget the humans behind the tech in our ever busy world. DSF is fortunate enough to know some incredible tech leaders across the world and has the privilege of hearing them present at our events. That being said, our Speaker Spotlight sets the stage to get to know our speakers on a more personal level and connect them with our growing community. Read the mini interview below!

A bit about Amardeep

Amardeep Sirha is the Co-Founder and Head of Technology, at amarti – a leading UK-based technical consultancy. Amarti specialises in delivering powerful technical solutions for some of the markets leading organisations.
Amardeep works with companies to determine their technical shortcomings. She transforms these shortcomings into competitive advantages through targeted (and specialised) technical solutions. Her talent at delivering smooth technical projects has meant that she, and her teams, forge lasting partnerships with clients.

Now, as she sits at the helm of her own technical consultancy she strives to champion inclusivity, equity, and freedom of thought within the tech industry.
She hasn’t always been in this industry though. Her professional path forked many times before falling in love with tech. After obtaining a degree in Business Management & HR and post-grad in education, she took on a position as an Economics and Business teacher – teaching at schools within the UK and abroad. At a certain point she realised that teaching was not what she was meant to do. When she started at Sky, her passion for tech was born – and the rest, as they say, is HERstory.

Since breaking into the tech industry, Amardeep has become a powerhouse professional. She continues to cement herself, and amarti, as forces to be reckoned with.

How did you start out in your tech career?

I started out as a junior business analyst at Sky in Leeds after leaving a successful teaching career in economics and business. The journey was not easy and it took months and months to finally have an opportunity to work within the tech sector.

What are the signs of success in your field?

The main sign of success for me in technology is that I am delivering value to customers, that could be direct to the customer or via a client which is how we usually work.

What is the best and worst thing about your job role?

The best thing about my job role is the opportunity to work with so many different people in so many different industries. I am able to meet and learn from amazing people. The worst thing about my job role is sometimes not having enough time to do everything I want to do – quite often I neglect learning parts of my role and end up doing this in my spare time instead.

What can you advise someone just starting out to be successful?

Whats really important is to remember your goal and stick to it, and when its time, changing or adapting your goal too – especially if you have achieved it.

How do you switch off?

Cooking – my kitchen is my safe space and I keep it fully topped up so that if I am particularly stressed out I can pop in and make something quick to reset.

What advice would you give your younger self?

Don’t sweat the small stuff, don’t care for opinions, listen first, speak if you need to.

What is next for you?

I have just got married so whats coming next is making sure my marriage is the best it can possibly be.

If you could do anything now, what would you do? Why?

100% I would be a chef – I would need to learn a lot of course 🙂

What are your top 5 predictions in tech for the next 5 years?

  • The correct use of AI in our every day
  • More social media apps – not that I am a fan of this
  • More use of the VR within gaming and subsequently social media
  • Data driven modelling to ensure best use of data
  • Streamlined processes to cut out noise

Watch Amardeep’s session at the Data Science Festival here.

Thank you to all our wonderful speakers for taking part in our Speaker Spotlight!

Want to become a DSF Speaker? Apply here!