From the Front Line to the Forefront

At Capita, where millions of camera images are processed daily to enforce road user charges, system performance isn’t just a technical concern – it’s a public service.

For Jim Hall, Subject Matter Expert and Team Lead managing nine Application Support Specialists, the challenge is constant: maintaining operational excellence today, while preparing for the automation-first world of tomorrow.

When Capita began transitioning to a DevOps model, Jim made a strategic decision: to future-proof his team through Corndel’s Level 4 DevOps Programme, part of the AI and Data Academy.

Developing practical skills, delivering real impact

The results were immediate. The team’s new capability in managing DevOps pipelines and cloud infrastructure didn’t just stay theoretical – it reshaped the way they worked.

Lee Varnham, one of the team members on the programme, had experience in scripting but had never used Python before. “At first it was a steep learning curve,” he admits. “Then it clicked. I started writing automation tools that genuinely made our workflows more efficient. I wouldn’t have done that before Corndel.”

From automating patching processes to enhancing deployment systems, Lee and his colleagues applied new skills from day one – achieving measurable business impact and creating tools that improved performance across the board.

A culture of collaboration and shared learning

A crucial factor in this success was the culture Jim fostered – collaborative, inclusive and resilient. Each team member had a counterpart, ensuring no one was irreplaceable and everyone had support.

“We didn’t see any dip in performance,” Jim says. “The team stood up to the challenge. We gave learners the time they needed, and everyone benefited from that shared commitment.”

Together, the three learners led a shared DevOps project – pitching their idea to the CTO, gaining approval, and delivering a live tool that had been underperforming. The outcome: increased efficiency, greater confidence, and a scalable solution for the future.

Confidence, capability and career growth

For Lee, the experience was transformative.

“It gave me confidence to try new things and approach challenges differently,” he reflects. “I was putting in extra hours just because I enjoyed it so much.”

That enthusiasm translated into career momentum. Lee has since enrolled in Corndel’s AI Engineering Programme – a natural next step in his development.

“It’s a whole new world, but the next logical one,” he says. “And I wouldn’t have had the nerve or the skills to go for it without Corndel’s support.”

Building confidence, capability and commercial success

Corndel’s DevOps Programme hasn’t just developed a few individuals at Capita – it’s reshaped a team, built future leadership, and laid the foundation for long-term digital transformation.

“I want all nine of my team on this programme,” Jim concludes. “If they leave for better roles afterwards, great – they’ll have grown here. While they’re with us, they’re making us better. And that’s what matters.”

Corndel is your Professional Development Partner, delivering business-relevant programmes and Academies in AI, Data and Leadership. Through one-to-one coaching, partnerships with Imperial Executive Education and Microsoft, and a focus on real-world impact, we help people and organisations think bigger – and achieve more.