“I’ve never written a line of code in my tech career”

Amelia Bampton, 38, Regional Director of Codurance UK North, is on a mission to break down stereotypical entry barriers to tech after the pandemic caused many to consider a career change.

During an exemplary two decades in tech Amelia Bampton hasn’t so much as written one line of code.
The 38-year-old has lived and worked through the digital age – in multiple high profile jobs – for companies including Vodafone and JD Williams.

She’s now Regional Director of Codurance UK North, a £8 million turnover software consultancy that employs more than 100 people across its three European offices, London, Barcelona and Manchester.

As leader of the Manchester base Amelia often attributes thought to the city’s thriving tech ecosystem and its ripple effect potential.

“You don’t have to be a developer to have a great career in tech,” said Amelia. “I’ve never written a line of code in my tech career. I’ve had many different roles, enjoyed myself and continue to. And I like to think that I play a valuable part in any kind of technology delivery team or company.”

Mum-of-two Amelia, from Cheshire, joined Codurance from Chicago based company ThoughtWorks in July last year and has since hired a raft of new recruits.

That came after Codurance, which has a client base that includes ASOS, eClinicalWorks, Roche and Cazoo, the UK’s fastest growing unicorn, achieved company-wide year-on-year growth of 97%.

Despite the tech sector having come so far compared to when she started out Amelia says the industry has a way to go when it comes to breaking down stereotypical entry barriers.

“I was used to always being the only female on the team but I never questioned it, it was just the way the world was back in the early noughties,” said Amelia.

“There were so many imbalances, not just gender. Compare that to now and you start seeing how far we have come. But there’s always more that can be done.

“A big part of me enjoyed breaking the stereotype of being the only woman in the room so to speak.

“It’s since given me a platform to talk to younger people and those who join tech organisations, bootcamps and cohorts.”

She added: “In the past year the influx of people joining coding camp cohorts as well as those who are considering entering tech as a career change is remarkable.

“It makes me happy to see people believe that there are different avenues in and that you don’t have to follow that traditional university route.

“Taking advantage of the opportunity is important and I’m wanting to connect with organisations and companies in Manchester and beyond about how we best support the technology ecosystem. Because together we can break the cycle and stereotypes of entering technology as a career.

“The tech world of work is open to anyone, I genuinely believe there is a role for everyone, whether you are a graduate or wanting a career change. It’s exciting to continue to think about how we can harness some of those opportunities, particularly in a post pandemic world, a more face to face world.”

Codurance was founded in 2013 by Sandro Mancuso and Mashooq Badar following the pair’s launch of the London Software Craftsmanship Community – the first and largest of its kind in Europe – three years earlier.

The consultancy is a recognised industry leader in the use of quality practices and expertise, such as XP, Software Modernisation, Product Development and DevOps.

www.codurance.com