In 2026 Gareth is celebrating his 5th anniversary with us as our Head of Data Services, and if you ask him what he does, he won’t start with pipelines, platforms or processes. He’ll tell you about the outcomes. Because that’s what really matters.
Gareth leads and grows our Data capability while delivering complex analytical project work for clients. His focus is on building something sustainable inside Answer, while ensuring the work we deliver outside genuinely moves the dial.
It’s equal parts leadership and hands-on thinking.
How does Gareth start his day?
His mornings start early. Up at 06:45, followed by 30 minutes of meditation before the school run and a cup of tea. There’s something quietly powerful about that rhythm; reflection first, then responsibility, then delivery.
What does a typical day as a Head of Data Services look like?
A “typical” day doesn’t really exist. It’s usually a blend of client work and internal capability building. That might mean shaping analytical approaches, solving knotty data challenges, or helping grow the team and the practice itself. It’s as much about direction as it is about delivery.
Right now, Gareth is working with the MOD, helping enable secure and interoperable access to medical information across deployed and fixed Defence environments. It’s high-stakes, complex work, ensuring the right information can be accessed safely, wherever it’s needed. The kind of data challenge where clarity, rigour and pragmatism matter deeply.
What is the best part of Gareth’s day?
The most satisfying part of Gareth’s day is when the analysis pays off and everything suddenly clicks. That moment where patterns make sense, decisions become clearer, and progress accelerates. Anyone who works in data knows that feeling, the quiet triumph of insight.
When things get busy, Gareth reaches for brown noise through noise-cancelling headphones and another cup of tea. It’s a simple formula, but an effective one. Brown noise for focus. Jazz or IDM when there’s room to think more freely.
He’s currently developing his automation skills, looking at how more can be done efficiently, safely and at scale. In a world of ever-expanding data, smart automation isn’t optional. It’s essential.
What is the biggest misconception about being in data?
One misconception about his role? That people fully understand what it is. Data leadership often sits behind the scenes. The impact is visible; the mechanics less so. And perhaps that’s the point. When data is working well, it feels seamless.
What does ‘out of work’ Gareth look like?
Once the laptop closes, it’s family time. Childcare. Food. Read. Sleep. Repeat. A steady cadence that mirrors his calm, methodical approach to work.
Fuel-wise, it’s meditation, tea, and brown noise, a combination you don’t see on many job descriptions, but one that clearly works.
Five years in, Gareth continues to shape, strengthen and scale our Data capability while delivering meaningful outcomes for clients. Calm, analytical, outcome-focused, and always building something better.
Happy 5-year anniversary, Gareth 👏