Meet our Director of Technology
I recently caught up with our Director of Technology, James Conway, to find out more about his career journey at tombola and what exciting things are to come within our Tech teams.
Almost 10 years ago, James joined tombola as a Lead Developer and has since progressed into the role of Director of Technology at tombola. James has played a pivotal role in shaping our Tech teams.
But enough about what I think... let's hear from James.
How long have you worked at tombola?
I joined tombola nearly 10 years ago in July 2014 as a Lead Developer in the old project team. Since then, I helped set up tombola Arcade with our (now) Head of Game studio, I looked after the bingo technology division and finally took on the Technology Director role in June 2022.
What attracted you to tombola?
I was always interested in technology, before joining tombola I worked in various technology businesses from utilities to marketing services, from data to gaming. I even spent five years as a betting shop manager so I guess you can say I was always destined to work in this industry.
I am unbelievably privileged to have the role I have in tombola, I can see the real potential of our Tech teams and the massive opportunity that presents them being part of an organisation like Flutter. The teams are unbelievably passionate about powering the growth of tombola and Flutter - that makes my job a lot easier. I've stayed at tombola for so long because of the people, the teams and the mission to become the worlds biggest bingo brand!
What's your biggest highlight from your time at tombola?
There are so many! It was an amazingly exciting time helping launch and grow a whole new brand - tombola arcade - and then see that brand sponsor one of TVs biggest shows, I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! Another one is the journey of tombola joining Flutter. Flutter has so many recognisable brand and working hard to make sure tombola was in a position to leverage the expertise in Flutter whilst also standing on it's own two feet and adding values back to the other brands has been unbelievably rewarding.
What's to come that you're really excited about?
This is an unbelievably exciting time for our Tech teams, we have lots of opportunities on the table for us; growing the tombola brand into new territories, developing games and products for other Flutter brands, we have always had ambitious global growth as an aspiration – now it’s a real possibility.
What inspires you at tombola?
I know this sounds cliched but it’s the teams I work with. There is some unbelievable talent and expertise in our business and a lot of it grown up-here in the North East. I’m passionate about, and proud of, the North East as a technology hub – it’s definitely punching above its weight and I’m determined to do my bit here.