Meet Steve Smith: The Microsoft Expert Powering Modern Workplaces

Our "Meet the Team" series on LinkedIn is your opportunity to get to know key team members at Westcoast Cloud. In this blog, learn more about Steven Smith , our Modern Workplace Technical Specialist and a true Microsoft Teams guru— who was also one of the early team members at Westcoast Cloud!

Tell us about your career so far

I’ve been part of the IT and telecommunications world for over 20 years, working in technical and IT helpdesk roles for organisations like the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, NCP, and more recently, telco providers and Westcoast Cloud.

It’s been an incredible journey watching the industry evolve. I started with hands-on PC hardware assembly, helped transition phone systems to the cloud, and now we’re in an AI-driven era with tools like Microsoft Copilot redefining what the modern workplace can achieve. It’s been so exciting to see how these innovations transform the way we work—and I feel lucky to be part of it!

What made you choose a career in IT?

I discovered my passion for computing in school, programming on BBC and Acorn computers. That interest led me to college, where I studied for a National Diploma in Information Technology.

I love working in technical support because my passion is problem-solving – my colleagues describe me as a ‘complete finisher’ because of my dedication to finding solutions to complex technical issues!

 Describe your career journey with Westcoast Cloud

I’ve been with Westcoast Cloud for nearly seven years now, joining in the early days when there were just 10 of us working out of a small serviced office. It’s been an incredible experience being part of the company’s growth story.

I started on the technical helpdesk, assisting our partners with technical queries. From there, I was promoted to team leader, and now I’m a Modern Workplace Technical Specialist.

Tell us more about your role

As part of the Modern Workplace team, I specialise in communications and phone systems, with a focus on Microsoft Teams.

Each day brings a new challenge, from addressing commercial usage and licensing enquiries to guiding partners through complex migrations of communication and phone systems. My work is deeply consultative—I start by asking detailed questions about current systems and usage patterns to understand their unique needs. From there, I provide tailored advice on best practices for phone system configurations and migrations.

What sets our Modern Workplace team apart is our breadth of expertise and our collaborative culture. Whether it’s sales, security, or technical know-how, we pool our knowledge to deliver the best possible support for our partners.

What do you think partners value most about working with Westcoast Cloud?

It’s all about the value-added services we offer—like our training events and marketing support. We focus on building strong, personalised relationships with our partners and always go the extra mile to help them succeed.

Finally, what do you enjoy doing outside of work?

I absolutely love holidaying in Gran Canaria—it’s my go-to destination, and I’ve even convinced a few colleagues to visit and fall in love with it too! I’m also a huge fan of Volkswagen cars. My first car was a classic VW Breadvan, and now I’m the proud owner of a VW Golf GTI. There’s just something special about driving a VW!