Paul Turner is one of Cosmic's newest members of staff, so we asked him some questions about himself so you can get to know him a little bit better.
1. What do you do here at Cosmic?
I’m the Schools IT Manager at Cosmic and look after our newly launched Schools IT Service
2. What’s your favourite part about the job, and what are you most excited about doing?
I would say my favourite part of the job is getting out and meeting with our clients. Coming to Cosmic from the school environment, I can understand the pressures and financial demands placed on our schools in the 21st century. Supporting schools in their digital strategy can help make their journey a whole less daunting and I think that’s where I’m really keen to get stuck in.
3. What do you like most about Cosmic?
For me, it was definitely the social enterprise aspects of Cosmic that first drew me to the company. I think the community projects carried out by Cosmic are what really sets it apart from every other digital agency out there. Their digital inclusion programmes benefitting our local communities here in the South West are something I think they should be really proud of. Another great thing I like about Cosmic is how friendly and welcoming everybody has been since I joined the company. On my first day with Cosmic, walking through the door here at the Business Centre I was greeted by a big welcoming hug – cementing straight away for me just how unique a company Cosmic really is.
4. What is the most interesting thing about you or that you have done?
Crikey! I’d probably say that I used to play ‘Caixa de Guerra’ (a type of snare drum) in a samba bloco. We used to play at some pretty crazy events such as the Battle of Flowers Carnival in Jersey and at the closing ceremony for the 2012 Olympics in Weymouth.
5. Are you Apple or Android?
Now that’s a tricky one! Over the years I’ve switched and changed from iOS to Android to Windows Phone and back again! I think each mobile OS has its strengths and its weaknesses, so for me It’s hard to commit to one over another. Working in technology, I do like the freedom and customisability Android allows its users, so for this reason I tend to always gravitate back to the ‘Green bot’ in the end… via the odd orchard or two.
6. What are your hobbies or interests?
I’m a bit of a theatre fan and love getting stuck into a good script. Getting involved with community productions is something I’ve come to really enjoy over the years, both for the thrill of the show but mainly the camaraderie that comes from working so closely with a cast for months at a time. When I’m not learning lines I like to study foreign languages – understanding how language develops and evolves in different parts of the world is something that has always fascinated me.