Team Spotlight – Chris Pritchard’s journey through technology
Curiosity has been a constant throughout Chris Pritchard’s career, from building PCs and educational computer programs as a child to leading Transvault’s Support team today.
Originally from Swansea, Chris graduated with a BSc (Hons) in Computer Networking, but his interest in technology started much earlier.
“I have always had an interest in technology, from an early age building PCs and educational computer programs for my local school. It felt like the natural path to follow and I am glad I did.”
We caught up with Chris about his unexpected route to Transvault, the challenges behind email archive migration and a Kilimanjaro climb with a personal purpose.
An Early Interest in Technology
For Chris, technology appealed because of what it could help people achieve.
“I got into tech because I’ve always been interested in how technology can solve real-world problems and make things more efficient.”
That interest eventually led him to Transvault, where the opportunity to develop his skills alongside an experienced technical team immediately appealed.
“Joining Transvault felt like a great opportunity to build my skills, work with talented people and contribute to meaningful projects. I was excited by the chance to learn, take on new challenges and grow my career in the tech industry.”
His route there was not quite planned.
After his role with a previous organisation was made redundant, Chris had intended to take some time away from work and travel, but an opportunity at Transvault changed his plans.
“I was lucky enough to have my previous role made redundant. My intention at that point was to lay low, take a bit of time out and focus on travelling. Whilst I did a bit of that, the opportunity was introduced to me and I couldn’t say no.”
From Technical Roles to Leadership
Chris credits a succession of supportive managers with helping him make the move from hands-on technical work into management.
“My role connects with my personal values through my curiosity, love of exploring new things and passion for improving processes. I enjoy understanding how things work, finding ways to make processes more efficient and seeing repetitive tasks become automated.”
He also values having the freedom to take ownership of a problem and work through it.
These aspects of my role keep me motivated and give me opportunities to learn, innovate and make a meaningful impact.”
The team around him plays an equally important part. He says being part of a relatively small but highly skilled team makes turning up every day a positive experience.
And predictability is rarely part of the job.
“No two days are the same and no two projects are the same. This variation keeps me on my toes and keeps me engrossed.”
Discovering How Complex Archive Migration Really Is
One of Chris’s biggest lessons since joining Transvault has been discovering just how much sits behind an enterprise email archive migration.
“Email archive migrations are actually more complicated than most people assume. In practice there are numerous hurdles to overcome. Those hurdles can range from customer milestones and ageing infrastructure to non-conformant email archives, bespoke requirements and changes involving suppliers or vendors.It is an environment where technical knowledge is important, but so is the ability to keep learning as each project presents a different set of circumstances.”
Staying Curious
That experience explains Chris’s advice for anyone beginning a career in Services, IT or Support.
“Be inquisitive. Never be afraid to ask questions, challenge the way things are done or explore why a process works the way it does.”
For Chris, knowing every answer from day one has never been the expectation. The ability to investigate a problem and learn from it is far more valuable.
“There are always opportunities to learn and improve. Stay curious, take ownership and look for ways to prevent problems from happening again.”
Life Outside Work
Chris is an early riser who likes to start the day outdoors.
“My ideal morning starts with a run or a walk. It helps me clear my head and think through the priorities for the day. That’s closely followed by lots of coffee!”
His love of getting out and about extends beyond his morning routine. Travel and adventure are how he likes to spend his free time.
“Getting outside your own bubble is one of the best ways to broaden your perspective. I enjoy exploring new places, meeting people and experiencing different cultures. It can really challenge the way you think.”
That willingness to look at things differently carries into his work, too.
“I like understanding how things work and exploring new ideas. Whether I’m travelling or working through a problem, I’m always curious to find out more.”
Taking on Kilimanjaro
Chris’s love of adventure recently took him to Mount Kilimanjaro. Alongside the physical challenge, there was a personal reason for taking it on: raising awareness of a charity on behalf of his father, who has ataxia.
“It felt like the perfect opportunity to challenge myself, experience something completely different and raise awareness for a cause close to my family. I was drawn to the adventure of being somewhere new, meeting people along the way and finding out how far I could push myself.”
That determination was tested most on summit night.
“The climb was relentless. It was pitch black, with nothing but our headlamps to guide us, and you couldn’t see the end. With so little oxygen, even a small step felt like a huge effort. I kept having to stop and catch my breath.
“Staying focused on the goal and putting one foot in front of the other helped me keep going.”
But when Chris looks back, it’s the people he remembers most.
“The camaraderie was incredible. It wasn’t just your own team supporting you. People you passed were offering snacks and egging you on. We were all on the same journey, facing the same challenges.”
Bringing the Mountain Back to Work
That sense of camaraderie is something Chris recognises in working life, too.
“On the mountain, everyone was working towards the same goal. You encouraged each other through the difficult stretches and shared the excitement when you made progress.
“I think the same applies at work. Knowing the people around you are there to help, and taking time to celebrate what you’ve achieved together, makes a real difference.”
Looking Ahead
Chris’s operational focus remains closely connected to Transvault’s established migration technology, while the expansion of the company’s product portfolio is opening up a new area that he is keen to explore.
“It’s exciting to have something new to explore. With Intelligent Ally, we have an opportunity to help organisations in the industries we already work with manage their use of AI.”
For someone whose career has been shaped by curiosity, problem-solving and a willingness to explore unfamiliar territory, having something new to learn is exactly where Chris wants to be.
And whether the next challenge involves enterprise technology or another mountain, his approach remains remarkably consistent: stay curious, keep moving and bring the people around you along for the journey.