Meet Owen, our new Contract Manager Software Trainer

Welcoming Owen Francis as he joins Team Sypro to provide essential training on our Contract Manager Software.

Meet Owen, our new Contract Manager Software Trainer

A man who knows the road between Hull and York better than most, Owen Francis joins Sypro as its new software trainer. With a passion for podcasts and all things musical, Owen’s a one-man band aiming to have all the company’s training requirements met. 

 

  1. What does a Sypro software trainer do?
    I am responsible for providing training on the Contract Management software and offering support through refresher training.

 

  1. Is your role focussed on new clients or existing ones?
    As part of the customer services team, it will be my duty to ensure that all our clients have all their training requirements met.

 

  1. Previously, you were in the education sector so why the job change?
    My daily commute for the last 20 years was arduous, to say the least! When I returned to work after lockdown, I realised just how daunting the trip was. It was no easy decision to leave my previous role, but two weeks in and I’m already loving the cycle to and from work. My poor old car, Rebecca, as my daughter has named her, is now semi-retired.

 

  1. How many miles did you clock up?
    Hull to York and back? It was just short of 100 miles a day. I’ve covered about 400,000 miles in the last 20 years.

 

  1. What’s your journey like these days?
    Hull has a vast network of cycle paths that I’m taking full advantage of. I have an American beach cruiser that is built for just sauntering along. I ride at a nice steady pace whilst catching up on podcasts – it’s absolute heaven!

 

  1. What’s the best thing about working closer to home?
    It’s considerably less stressful! On average, I am saving about £250 a month in fuel, I’ve gained an extra two hours a day. I’m also getting about 50-minutes of much-needed exercise a day, and I couldn’t be happier.

 

  1. How do you unwind after a hard day at the office?
    I’ve always loved writing, recording and producing music. It’s quite a skill to play several instruments badly!

 

  1. What has the relaxing of lockdown meant to you and your family?
    It means I have no excuse to lose weight. I know a lot of people took the time to accomplish great things during lockdown… apart from shaving my head for charity, I just got fatter.

 

  1. What podcasts do you listen to?
    The Adam Buxton Podcast is my favourite! I also like the Louis Theroux Grounded podcast and Hip Hop Saved My Life with Romesh Ranganathan. I also dip into Distraction Pieces with Scroobius Pip, Richard Herring’s Leicester Square Theatre Podcast and The Handsome Rambler with Hannibal Buress.

 

  1. Is there a budding rockstar in you?
    My mid-life master plan (crisis) is already in full effect as I play bass guitar in a band. At some point in the future, we may even dare to play in front of actual human beings.

 

Good luck with the job Owen.