Here at CDS, we’re incredibly proud of our 170-strong team – after all, they’re the ones who make all the comms magic happen.
That’s why, every month, we’re giving our blog readers the chance to get to know each member of the CDS family, in our employee Q&A series.
Next up in the hot seat it’s account director, Ed Hardman. With just 10 minutes on the clock, let’s go…
1. Sum up your role at CDS in one sentence:
I’m an account director and responsible for ensuring client satisfaction and high-quality project delivery – a key focus of mine is also revenue generation for the business.
2. What’s your favourite thing about your job?
The variety of clients that CDS works with. While they span various sizes and sectors, they all have a commonality – they do incredible things for citizens throughout society.
I enjoy working on projects that make a genuine, positive impact on the general public. A great example of this is Single Online Home – the most significant advent in policing since the 999 service – and it was a privilege to be a part of this.
Learn more about migrating a nationally important platform
Also, the teamwork and camaraderie are fantastic. All the departments within CDS work well together – nothing is done in isolation – and this is how we engineer success for our clients.
3. How did you become account director?
I started out reading a degree in administrative management at the University of Lincoln. From there, I worked in a marketing agency before moving into a sales role within the construction sector.
I joined the CDS team as a bid writer over 18 years ago and progressed down the sales and account management route – and the rest is history!
4. What drew you towards choosing CDS as an employer?
CDS enables strategic change that makes a positive difference to health, wealth and safety in the UK – this resonates with me personally. The company drew me in with its work with incredible organisations across the country.
5. Describe the CDS ethos in just three words:
Helpful, caring, and collaborative.
6. What’s been your favourite project so far and why?
Single Online Home (SOH) was a highlight. This project saw us deliver a platform for all UK police stations, enabling them to provide nationally consistent, locally branded services in one ‘digital police station’. The technology also allows members of the public to report non-emergency crimes to the police securely – and this was especially crucial throughout the pandemic.
I’ve also worked with the Met Police on an interactive intranet solution – to aid communication and growth – and with the Environment Agency on developing a national flood warning system, both of which were very rewarding projects.
7. And, which brand would you love to work on a digital project with?
With a background in the public sector and safety, it has to be The National Crime Agency.
8. Complete this sentence: For businesses, employing an effective digital strategy means…
…gaining closer proximity to their clients and customers.
9. For a bit of fun, if CDS were a variety of biscuit, which would it be and why?
A garibaldi – it’s robust and resilient.
10. Finally, if you could give one piece of advice to your 10-year-old self, what would it be?
Try as hard as possible, and you will get there.