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Matthew Thomson, Director, EMEA Product Specialists, Databricks

Matthew Thomson, Director, EMEA Product Specialists, Databricks

What has been your path to power?

After completing a degree in Physics, I decided to continue studying and completed a PhD in Astrophysics, researching how galaxies evolve and form stars in the distant universe. This is where I was introduced to data science, and absolutely loved how statistical and analytical methods could solve these astrophysical problems. But I didn’t want an academic career, and instead looked to apply the data science methods I’d learnt to solve real-world problems. So I joined a consultancy firm, and it was there that I added a passion for technology to my love of data, statistics and analytics. In particular I saw how machine learning could be transformational in solving a huge variety of problems across industries. I particularly enjoyed solving customers’ problems and demonstrating how technology can help drive business value.

I had been following the Apache Spark project for some years, and helped run the London Apache Spark Meetup group, so when Databricks opened an office in London this was an obvious move for me. It was my first time working at a startup and I really enjoyed the pace with which the company moved, evolved and was laser-focused on solving the world’s toughest problems with data and AI. Starting as an individual contributor I quickly moved into a people leadership role to help define how we deliver professional services projects and to grow the most talented team of people I have ever worked with. I am now focused on ensuring that our customers use Databricks in the best way possible, and that Databricks continues to evolve to solve our customers toughest problems.

What impact has the pandemic had on demand from your clients?

It has varied across our customers. Some customers, especially those in travel and hospitality, have been greatly impacted by the pandemic. Some customers saw it as a chance to invest in improving their infrastructure and so demand went up, others were just trying to keep afloat and so reduced their spend on transformational projects. But overall we’ve seen a much higher demand since the pandemic, for example, the Databricks collaborative workspace environment really helps customers work in a remote setting. But I think the biggest change is that the pandemic has driven customers to need to adapt to new ways of working and operating generally, and data has been a core part of that. Many have taken this to time to assess how to get the best out of their data and become more data driven, hence becoming more efficient and more successful.

Do you get a seat at your clients’ strategic discussions? If not, what will it take to get you there?

Yes. Databricks is key to customers’ transformation to the modern data lakehouse paradigm and staying at the cutting edge of data and AI technology. We are finding that more and more customers are understanding the need to migrate away from outdated legacy architectures and get more from their data to drive business value, whether that’s saving 22 million tonnes of carbon in the case of our customer Rolls Royce, or in SEGA Europe being able to track key metrics for more personalised communications and interactions with players. Customers like these are understanding that getting a handle on data and AI is a business imperative. and can lead to strong real-world outcomes.

What are your key areas of focus for the business in 2022?

I will be focusing on how customers can build data science and machine learning applications on top of their data lakehouse, to get the most out of their data and to ensure that their projects are deployed to production effectively and efficiently. I will be starting a new team of product specialists in EMEA and making sure that new Databricks products are built to best support customer needs.

How do you apply your leadership skills a) within your own business and b) on behalf of your clients?

I have a strong point of view around how to solve data science and machine learning problems both from a people and process perspective, as well as from a technology perspective. I formed that view from working to solve these problems in real-world situations and often in highly regulated environments. But it’s one that constantly evolves over time. I stay on top of new technologies and techniques as they emerge, and that helps to build a simple solution for customers. I also ensure that I can then bring that viewpoint to conversations, both internally at Databricks and with our customers. But I am also a highly collaborative person, I like to work in teams to jointly solve problems.

What key skills or attributes do you consider have contributed to your success in this role?

I think it’s my ability to adapt to new situations and to be flexible in a constantly changing environment. Also, I always focus on what is practical and pragmatic to do and deploy on any given project, and on what’s going to add the most value for our customers, rather than getting bogged down in trying to plan for every eventuality. An iterative approach to solving problems is one I have always found the most effective.

How did you develop – and continue to develop – these skills or attributes?

Mostly through learning from mentors and managers across my career. I’ve also learnt technical skills throughout my career, mostly learning on the job, participating in community events to stay abreast of what’s happening in the industry and identifying what new skills can help in my current role.

How do you ensure that your proposition keeps pace with your clients’ goals and requirements so that you are leading rather than lagging behind their demands?

It’s a constant but welcome challenge! One of our core values at Databricks is being “customer and partner obsessed” and this is something we live and breathe on a daily basis in the customer-facing technical teams. We are constantly looking to understand what our customers’ problems are and how we can innovate to solve those problems. One of our core products, Delta Lake, was originally built to solve a specific use-case, now it is the foundation of the data lakehouse.

Matthew Thomson
has been included in:

100 Enablers 2022 (EMEA)

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Matthew Thomson, Director, EMEA Product Specialists, Databricks

Join our membership network of over 250 global senior data and AI leaders.

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Join our membership network of over 250
global senior data and AI leaders.