Robert Heritage

I’m a mix of boundless creativity, a disruptive technology-obsessed ball of fire, with a big heart for human connection. I’ve been working in the IT industry for nearly three decades. That’s a lot of tea, troubleshooting, and learning how to keep calm during a major incident.

I was born and bred in the south-east of England, and spent most of my early working life at London Heathrow -where there were serious problems if things didn’t move fast enough! I’m married with four brilliant boys, who are basically my life’s loudest, most rewarding project. If you’re imagining chaos, you’d be spot on. But it’s the sort of chaos that people like to stop and watch.

Workwise, I’m a big advocate of intent-based leadership—empowering people to own their tasks and decisions rather than micromanaging them. I’ve been told I’m a “creator,” not just because I like to build everything from garden sheds to virtual cities in games, but because I thrive on creating systems, solutions, and teams that improve and evolve over time. I prioritise things based on their complexity and impact, and I’m good at spotting and swatting a creeping disaster before it gets noticed.

Outside work I’m a bit of a thrill-seeker and a creative tinkerer. I love downhill mountain biking – hurtling down the Welsh Valleys on two wheels, (or one) rock jumping and pedal pumping, is my version of meditation. I love gardening, too—nothing fancy, but I’m proud of the blackcurrants, strawberries, and globe artichokes I grow. I’m still in a cold war with my asparagus, though—it just refuses to cooperate. I’m also the kind of person who never throws away old potatoes; they go in the garden, and voilà, future dinner.

I’ve also travelled a fair bit and those experiences have given me a deep respect for different cultures, environments, and ways of thinking.

Music: Imagine Dragons, Two Door Cinema Club, and Empire of the Sun are some favourites. Films: Stardust, Oblivion, and The Notebook (yes, it made me cry – on a packed aeroplane – embarrasing story).

I’m deeply into AI, virtual reality, and I love the “what is reality, in reality?” debate. I’m open to the idea that life might be a simulation, and if it is, I’m here to hack it with cheat codes.

Personality-wise, I’m energetic, optimistic, and always curious. I’ve been called empathetic and warm, which I take as a compliment. That said, I’m also a bit of an overthinker, prone to procrastination if something doesn’t light me up. I’ve worked hard to rein in my impulsive and fiery side, which has tripped me up in the past, but I’ve learned a lot from those missteps.

I’m a creative, values-driven person who loves to connect with others, solve problems, and share ideas. I’m deeply invested in making the most of every moment, whether that’s building something tangible, mentoring a team, or just sitting in the garden watching the birds, bees and hedgehogs go about their business. Life’s a turbulent ride, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.