Inside IMS: Scott Sharples

Jumping straight into role, Scott explains that being a Configuration Analyst is all about ensuring stores are configured correctly and signed off ready to go live for our customers. The Configuration team play a crucial role in day-to-day operations, liaising directly with Support, DevOps, Developers and Engineers to ensure everything runs smoothly behind the scenes.

 Scott joined IMS in 2017, building on his strong technical background from his previous role as a Technical Support Customer Advisor – and he hasn’t slowed down since.

"I first started with the mammoth task of signing off over 5000 sites for one of our largest clients, then helping to maintain their estate. Since then, I’ve worked on many customer sign-offs whilst also helping to train new configuration team members on IMS and refrigeration systems."

 Scott’s role can be full on, but he thrives under the pressure. After developing his SQL and Excel skills, Scott created a smarter, faster way of working using SQL select statements and Excel formulas to automate parts of the IMS sign-off process. The result? Sign-off times reduced from months to weeks and a very impressed customer. This approach has since been implemented across multiple customers, speeding up estate signoffs and improving accuracy across the board.

 The role certainly keeps Scott on his toes, as he explains just how important attention to detail is. Even the smallest mistake can have a significant impact, which is why focus and attention to detail are such a vital part of the job.

Today, Scott is working on a major customer project where the team take calls directly from engineers on sites. This enables them to orchestrate store signoffs in real time and highlight any issues immediately. This helps to reduce the number of revisits to sites and provides a more accurate picture of the estate.

 But configuration is just one string on Scott’s bow. He is probably most widely known at IMS as the Head of Fun – and the Head of Food. When Scott’s not deep in data and configurations, he is usually helping to bring people together. Known for his sociable nature, Scott has always played a huge part in building a positive, light-hearted, and fun office culture. From helping to organise activity days and office quizzes and bake sales, he champions office culture and boosts morale by keeping things enjoyable for everyone.

"I also organised our staff helping at a local food bank on multiple occasions and helped to raise money for MIND mental health charity wherever possible. I kept up to date with fire safety training and offered advice and education to staff and management to reduce risk in the workplace."

In short: if Scott’s involved, people are smiling... and stomachs are full as he NEVER turns up empty handed and is best known for his bacon and chorizo sausage rolls

"My favourite go-to meal would have to be a from scratch chicken courgette curry with samosas and naan…but I'm best known for my bacon and chorizo sausage rolls!"

 When Scott logs off for the day, and hangs up his apron, he doesn’t exactly slow down...

His main passion is off-road motorcycling, where he serves as New Members Officer and Admin for his local Trail Riders Fellowship (TRF). He supports new riders, manages social media, organises group rides across the UK, and educates others on conserving green lanes and byways.

And that’s just the start. Scott also enjoys:

·       Hiking and camping in national parks

·       Kayaking local rivers with friends

·       Cooking and baking for anyone willing to eat it

He even owns a Canadian offset smoker and spends Christmas making smoked cheeses and chutneys for friends, family, and colleagues – with plans to turn it into a small business after retirement (in many, many moons of course).

And if that doesn’t sound enough to fill your plate, Scott’s love for adventure has taken him all over the world and has occasionally found him in some nail-biting situations…
"I was in Vietnam in 2020 when Covid happened. We ended up being moved by the Vietnamese government to a tropical disease’s hospital for testing and then into a 5* hotel for the remainder of our stay until we could fly back to the UK. Once in Dubai, our flight home to the UK got cancelled 3 times but fortunately in the end it went ahead, and I arrived back on UK soil just as the UK lockdown went into effect – one of the last planes back into the UK, very scary!"

This didn’t put him off though and Scott ended up going back in 2023 to Vietnam for a month, completing over 3,000 miles travelling on a motorcycle from the south of Vietnam all the way up and around the north of Vietnam. Next on his list is a return trip in 2026, where he plans to catch-up with friends he made on his last visit before heading on to explore Thailand and its beautiful islands.

If you’re not already impressed — or at least feeling second-hand tired — Scott still has a few hidden talents up his sleeve.

As a teenager, he attended a performing arts school and was considered a triple threat – able to sing, dance, and act. He’s performed in numerous shows, with his favourite role being Bill Sikes in Oliver!

Oh, and yes, he can do the splits.
The office stage is ready whenever you are, Scott…