Celebrating Andrew Davies 35-year anniversary at OGL!

We caught up with Andrew to find out more about his time at OGL so far:

"You know that feeling when you blink and suddenly decades have passed? That's exactly how I feel looking back on my 35 years at OGL. From my first day as a wide-eyed Junior Developer to now leading our Profit4 Product Team, I've been fortunate enough to work with some truly amazing people who've helped and guided me along the way.

I'll never forget the day Debbie Barton took a chance on me – 35 years ago! Her belief in me at my first interview started everything, and I couldn't be more grateful. Getting to work with Debbie again these past couple of years has been absolutely fantastic. Over that time, I have also had the benefit of Sharon's amazing support helping me grow into my new role.

Back in my early days as a Developer, I was fortunate to gain experience and work with some great developers like Phil Hawkes, Sue Bullock, and Bruce Watson. What a team to learn from! And then there were Neil Morris and Kevin Crowe, who opened my eyes to the world of sales and life working with customers. I have to give a special mention to Kevin – he's been there to help me through some challenging times.

I started out as a Junior Developer, getting involved with all sorts of exciting projects – our Metal Finishing software along with Mick Hood, prof.IT, prof.ITplus, and later joining our web team. Don't get me wrong, I still get a buzz from the technical side of things (there's nothing quite like seeing your code spring to life!), but what really gets me excited is seeing how our work can make a real difference to our customers' businesses and drive our own success.

These past two years have been incredibly special. When Debbie and Sharon trusted me to lead the Profit4 Product Team, they gave me the chance to bring together everything I love about this job. I get to work with a brilliant team every day who are always challenging themselves and building a great product. I’m excited about what’s still to come.

I think the thing that makes OGL truly special, isn’t just the work we do – it's the people who do it. To anyone just starting their OGL journey – trust me, you're in the right place. The opportunities to grow here are endless if you grab them with both hands.

To everyone I've had the pleasure of working with over the years – thank you. You've made these past 35 years a great adventure.

And yes, I still can't quite believe it's been 35 years... where did the time go?!"

Andrew's manager, Sharon Moreno, commented: "Wow, where do we even start with Andrew? Celebrating 35 years of service is no small feat, and honestly, words don’t quite capture everything he’s achieved during his time here – but I’m going to give it a shot anyway!

Andrew's dedication and contribution to the company have been truly exceptional, and I’ve been fortunate to work alongside him throughout this incredible journey. What an amazing 35 years it has been! From his early days as a Software Developer working on our Prof.IT and prof.ITplus solutions, to his successful stint as a Web Developer, Andrew excelled in every role he took on. These accomplishments eventually led him to the Profit4 domain, where he has continued to thrive. Throughout it all, Andrew has consistently been at the forefront of innovation, driving progress and setting new standards.

One of Andrew’s greatest strengths has always been his ability to take an idea and turn it into something extraordinary. A perfect example? Our award-winning Finisher Software. It revolutionised operations in the powder coating, anodising, and metal finishing industries. The adventures we had with that product (and its customers!) are unforgettable, and even now, there are still a few companies out there running it, even though we no longer support it – a true testament to Andrew’s brilliance.

But where Andrew truly shines is in his current role as Head of Product Engineering, leading the charge on Profit4. His forward-thinking leadership and vision have shaped this product from concept to market success. And let’s not forget his incredible team – I know how proud he is of their work, but really, the credit also goes to Andrew’s unwavering drive and inspiration.

Debbie Barton wanted to add her congratulations on Andrew’s amazing achievements: “As some of you know, Andrew was the very first person I recruited when I started managing what was then the software department back in early 1990. Who would have known 35 years later we would still be working together!! Andrew’s qualities showed themselves very quickly and he became the primary commercial face of the programming department going out with both Kevin Crowe and Mike Cross all around the country, ensuring that we understood customer requirements as well as to existing customers looking at their potential requirements. But not only that, Andrew was someone you could go to for help if we had a customer issue, he was always extremely supportive and the customers liked and trusted him implicitly! As did we!!

Andrew’s skills have taken him all across the software company over the years and nobody could have been happier or prouder when he stepped up as the Head of Product Development after the acquisition 2.5 years ago and what a job he has done! He has the respect of his team as well as his fellow SLT managers, and not just that he’s a thoroughly nice person who you can have a laugh with!! Andrew what an asset you are to our business and an exemplary role model to others aspiring in their careers, I really cannot thank you enough for your contribution it’s so appreciated!”

Andrew, you’ve accomplished so much over the years, and it’s been an honour to watch you thrive. You’re not just a colleague; you’re an inspiration to everyone around you. Here’s to everything you’ve done, and everything yet to come. Congratulations on 35 remarkable years – long may it continue! 🎉"