Welcome to our latest meet the team blog.

Today we introduce Tim Ward who joined Bedford in 2021 as Customer Success Consultant but has since become our Enablement Lead. In his spare time, Tim likes to travel, so far, he has travelled to 25 countries. He also has a passion for food whether that’s cooking at home or going out to a restaurant.

What made you consider joining Bedford?

I’d known Bedford for some years after being one of their early Anaplan clients.  Over the years I’d kept in touch with Neil (our Exec Chairman) and really like the Anaplan product and the Bedford approach. Prior to joining Bedford, I worked as Chief Financial Officer in the SME construction space, cash management is always key in that industry and in the run up to the pandemic and during it I was having to deal with difficult situations again and again, can I pay the salaries this month? Can I afford to invest in this new contract? Which supplier do I pay first?  On one particularly difficult day I saw on LinkedIn that Bedford were looking to expand and thought that it sounded interesting, was something that I would really enjoy and would be a welcome change.

What are you most proud of?

It’s difficult to say, I was brought up to take pride in doing the best that I can whatever I am doing. The motto that hangs in the Jack Daniels distillery in Tennessee rings true for me and sums up how I have tried to approach my working life: ‘Every day we make it, we’ll make it the best we can’. Strive to do things as well as you can, always look to develop yourself – but remember it’s a team effort and we only succeed as a group if we challenge, help and support each other.

What’s your favourite part of working at Bedford?

I enjoy structuring data and using it to give insight to business decisions. I get to do that all day every day at Bedford, so whilst there are challenges, like there are anywhere, working here feels like a holiday pretty much every day.

Describe Bedford in three words

If I had to describe Bedford in 3 words, they would be Leaders, Trusted and Supportive.

What’s the company like? How would you describe the team culture?

The Anaplan model builder community seems to attract likeminded people and Bedford are great at making sure their team will fit together. Being in a meeting or at the pub with other Bedfordites feels like being at home, we are all bright, analytical, and detailed focused but above all we are all genuine and nice people.

What is the biggest challenge that someone in this position would face?

I think the biggest challenge for any person in a consultant role is dealing with changing project requirements, so communication is key between the project team and the customer. We have a great support network at Bedford to help us through any challenges. 

What did you wish you knew before joining Bedford?

Nothing, only that I wish I had been brave enough to make the jump years ago.

What’s the most important skill that someone will need to succeed as a consultant?

I’d say it’s less about hard skills and more about attitude, if you try to live the Bedford values then you’re setting yourself up for success. It helps to have a mind that likes processing data and models, be good at time management (my failing) and be able to communicate well with clients but above all it’s by living the values that you’ll succeed and have fun. 

What have you learned in the last six months?

My Anaplan skills have definitely ramped up and I’ve learned that I am better with people than I’d realised.

Why do you stay at Bedford?

I like the work and the people. There’s such a positive atmosphere at Bedford.

Stay tuned for our next meet the team blog. We’re hiring! For more information on our open roles visit our careers page.