find out more about the Cool breeze team
Gary
With over 25 years of IT experience, Gary’s enthusiasm for IT, and life in general, is infectious. He left a local authority job after 25 years with a determination to change people’s views of IT. He started Cool Breeze in 2015 with little experience of how small businesses work, but a clear idea of what it would look like.
Initially working from home Gary then moved to a small office in Leamington and then in 2021 to The Old Stables at Blackdown Mill.
In his spare time Gary likes any type of exercise that gets the heart going – so a good long cycle ride or run. He also enjoys playing football, mountain walks or more recently open water swimming. A good box set helps him to relax at home and he loves travelling to new and familiar places.
FAVOURTIE MUSIC: Pink Floyd and anything from Laurel Canyon in the late 60’s early 70’s
FOOD HEAVEN: Anything his wife, who is an amazing cook, makes for him.
FOOD HELL: Small portions and cauliflower
WOULD LOVE TO: Do a big cycle challenge like Land’s End to John O Groats
Ian
Ian joined Cool Breeze team at the beginning of May 2021. He had been running his own IT business in Manchester for three years until his wife’s job brought them to Leamington Spa in 2018, where she took up her post as vicar of St Marks Church.
What first attracted Ian to work for Cool Breeze? When Ian first came to speak to Gary, they both talked about how important customer care was. Looking after customers first and foremost came before the IT and this resonated. Ian says ‘I had a list of things that I wanted from the business I worked for. I didn’t tick any of those things but the way Gary talked about the importance of putting customers first, I just knew that this was the right job for me’
When he is not working Ian relaxes by doing TaiChi, getting out on his bike and walking. He always has at least three reading items on the go at any one time – a novel, a gardening or wildlife book and a technical book/manual.
FAVOURITE MUSIC: Ian’s taste in music is as diverse as his reading! From Baroque, Telemann, Vivaldi to his son’s playlist when driving and Gary’s playlist in the office.
FOOD HEAVEN: His mums’ bread and butter pudding, his wife’s home-made chilli and his own version of Chicken Balti.
FOOD HELL: Anything that reminds him of school, and top of that list brussel sprouts, tapioca pudding and lump, watery mashed potato!!
WOULD LOVE TO: Ian has always wanted to be a caller for a barn dance and join with his banjo
Neil
Neil joined Cool Breeze in January 2023. And he comes with great credentials – a long-time friend of Gary and retired police officer, Neil retired from Warwickshire Police at the end of 2021 after 30 years.
He was looking for something, but not sure exactly what, to fill his time. Not happy with the idea of being at home he immediately started his search for a job, but it wasn’t long before Gary, seeing potential, offered him a job with Cool Breeze as a Technical Partner.
Neil had some IT and technical experience, as a Digital Forensic analyst that involved him carrying out examinations on mobile phones to track criminal activity. But nothing prepared him for the sheer range of different enquiries that he deals with daily at Cool Breeze. He gets great satisfaction from taking time to listen and understand the problem and then explain how they need to be solved quickly and efficiently.
In his spare time Neil likes walking, skiing, football (playing and watching) and DIY.
FAVOURITE MUSIC: He has a ‘diverse’ music taste – Queen. Oasis. Noel Gallagher. The 80’s
FOOD HEAVEN: Fillet steak
FOOD HELL: Prawn flavoured crisps
WOULD LOVE TO: Do a sky dive
Caroline
Caroline joined Cool Breeze in the early days of 2018 soon after Gary first started the business. Initially as a business mentor and then becoming more involved in the day to day, non-technical side of the business. On a typical day she will be writing articles, updating the website, and supporting the team and Gary.
Caroline’s background is business support and training coming when she worked for Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber and Business Link. She has been running her own business as a mentor and training consultant now for over 20 years. She brings a wide range of expertise in business strategy, marketing and coaching in her support for the CB team.
In her spare time, she loves walking, sailing, open water swimming, skiing, and being near the sea (now add in body boarding, sea kayaking, and snorkelling!!). She has a camper van and a caravan based in North Wales and will often be working remotely from her beachside venue.
FAVOURITE MUSIC: Diverse and eclectic. From piano concertos and opera to rock, soul, and musicals. Also loves going to small, intimate venues to see live bands like Steve Ajao Blues Band. She loves Spotify and discovering artists that she has never even heard of before!
FOOD HEAVEN: Scallops lightly fried with garlic fresh from the sea followed by banoffee pie. Anything that is seasonal, fresh, and local.
FOOD HELL: Badly cooked, tasteless mass-produced food with no thought or love in its creation.