Matt Atkinson exudes enthusiasm for his job as Chief Innovation Officer at Waymark. When talking to him, it quickly becomes clear that his focus is on cutting-edge tech: “As long as it’s digital, we’ll play with it!”

Waymark (which until its recent rebrand, was known as Waymark IT), was founded by David Brophy a decade ago as a bespoke software development company. While complex software development is still a core part of their offering, the company has broadened its scope, and redefined itself as a digital transformation specialist. Increasingly, its 20 employees focus on digital strategy, as well as delivery.

“We consult with our clients to help build digital strategy and ensure we understand the client vision. We spend a lot of time understanding the business, and that understanding forms part of a digital roadmap. It’s not always about technology – we focus on people, experiences and processes first and foremost.”

— Matt Atkinson

But still, the company’s focus on technology is perhaps its defining feature. “We unashamedly love tech, and we do tons of R&D. We always try to stay ahead of the curve, and have great relationships with firms focused on new tech.”

Matt’s role means that he has to constantly stay on top of developments in technology. He collaborates with organisations such as the Centre for Process Innovation, a hub that helps companies to develop, prove and commercialise new products and processes.

Although Waymark has delivered solutions into sectors as diverse as Construction, Manufacturing and Energy, the company made a strategic decision, a year ago, to focus on healthcare. This was a decision made by the whole team: “The team voted to work in healthcare even though it wasn’t our greatest revenue generator,” Matt explains. “There was a discussion about how Waymark could help make a positive difference to people’s lives by applying our trailblazing methodologies and digital know-how.”

Healthcare technology is an exciting field for a tech-focused company like Waymark to work in. “We’re doing a lot of work with the Academic Health Science Network, which looks at innovation within the NHS. We’re working on a backlog of things that they’ve brought to us. There are so many interesting use cases in health: How do we improve the user experience? How do we create Just In Time healthcare, and get rid of the backlog in the NHS? How can we make the clinical experience less stressful?”

Asked which project he’s most proud of, Matt mentions one designed to improve mammography. “The patient needs to be in exactly the right position. Nurses get RSIs from helping them move into place. So we’ve pioneered some intelligent concepts to help the patient to move themselves into the optimum position.”

The Waymark culture encourages involvement in social causes. Matt is an ambassador for the Digital Poverty Alliance. “We look for solutions to difficult social problems. I’ve been involved in a project to get homeless people back to work. We looked at a case where someone visits the GP, but they have no phone, no fixed abode. How do they pick up messages from the NHS? So we’re exploring the potential of using cashpoint machines as a tool for people to pick up messages from their doctor.”

Techno-optimism is a part of the Waymark culture. Team members have been involved with a project related to suicide prevention, and another examining the use of virtual reality to help children with autism. “We enjoy business success, but you learn it’s about more than making money. Knowing you’re creating some good, being part of the solution… that’s important.”