Meet Miles: A Curiosity for People, Tech, and Everything in Between
Hi, I’m Miles, and I’m here to introduce myself in the only way I know how, honestly, with a bit of humour, and probably with a few tangents along the way! My journey has taken me from Essex to Exeter, from politics to technology, and from chaotic family water fights to the world of AI and digital transformation.
At the heart of it all, I’ve always been fascinated by people, how they think, how they organise, and how technology has transformed the way we interact. So, here’s a bit about me, how I got here, and why I find the work we do at Yopla so exciting.
Growing Up: London, Essex, and a Feral Cat Problem
I grew up between London and Essex. My early years were spent in London, where my parents worked, my Dad in finance at Merrill Lynch and my Mum in software, developing trading platforms for banks. When I was about three, we moved out to Southminster, a small village an hour from London, where I spent most of my childhood.
I had what I’d describe as a classic countryside upbringing, plenty of space, family gatherings, and some questionable pet choices! Our first attempt at pets was two cats, which quickly decided that civilisation wasn’t for them. After making our shed their permanent home and developing some feral tendencies, we made the executive decision to try a dog, instead! Thankfully, our next pet, Milly, a cocker spaniel, was much more agreeable.
A Childhood of Water Fights and Cricket Matches
Some of my best memories involve chaotic family gatherings where my dad’s side of the family, five siblings, plus their kids, would all come together. Our garden would transform into a battlefield, with makeshift water parks, oversized cricket matches, and a general disregard for health and safety.
From History to Politics to Tech
I went to St Peter’s School, which I loved, particularly for the sports and the local golf clubs. Academically, I took English, History, Geography, and an Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) where I dove headfirst into the Russian Revolution. It was all thanks to A People’s Tragedy by Orlando Figes, a 1,000-page deep dive into Russian history that my grandfather put in front of me, and I was hooked.
That fascination with history, people, and political systems led me to study Politics and Middle Eastern Studies at Exeter. I was especially drawn to Middle Eastern politics - how societies function, how power shifts, and how information is controlled. Looking back, I probably should have just focused on that rather than mixing in international relations, but at the time, I thought it would make me more employable.
It was at Exeter that I had my first proper job, working on the shop floor at Moss Bros. A world away from history and politics, but a solid lesson in understanding people - what they want, what they don’t say out loud, and how small interactions shape the bigger picture.
The Moment Technology Clicked
I’d always been aware of technology - my mum worked in software development, after all - but it wasn’t until I studied the Arab Spring uprisings that I truly appreciated its power. Seeing how entire revolutions were organised through online platforms, using tech to mobilise movements across multiple countries, was mind-blowing.
It made me realise that technology isn’t just about code and infrastructure—it’s about people. It’s about how they communicate, make decisions, and, in some cases, change the course of history.
That’s where my interest in technology really took hold.
Hidden Talents, Favourite Things, and Strange Food Choices
If I had a hidden talent, it would probably be making people laugh in public at completely inappropriate times. My friends and I have a habit of making bizarre jokes and filming ridiculous videos just for the fun of it. If you’ve ever seen a group of people laughing way too much on a train while everyone else looks unimpressed - that’s probably us.
Outside of that, I used to sketch and paint a little, something I picked up from my dad. I’ve not done it in years, but I keep telling myself I’ll go back to it.
As for my favourites, my all-time favourite film is Trading Places. My dad and I quote it back and forth to each other all the time, usually to defuse an argument. Favourite book? I tend to read non-fiction, so it’s between A People’s Tragedy and The Code of Putinism, light bedtime reading, obviously.
Weirdest food? I’ve eaten a lot of strange things, so it’s hard to pick one. But if I ever get to Morocco, I’d love to try stuffed sheep’s head. Apparently, it tastes like brain. That should be interesting.
A Life Lesson: Never Judge a Book by Its Cover
If there’s one thing I’ve learned over the years, it’s this: never judge people too quickly. Some of the most interesting people I’ve ever met have been the ones others might overlook. They’ve taught me that curiosity and conversation can open doors you didn’t even know existed.
Why Yopla?
So, what brought me to Yopla? A few things.
First, the team. The energy, the way people work together, and the constant opportunity to learn, it’s something special. Second, the work itself. There’s something about technology that’s endlessly interesting because it never stays the same. You can never know everything, which means there’s always something new to dive into.
One of the things that really stands out to me is how technology can take tedious, time-consuming tasks and turn them into something seamless. I once had an internship where I had to transcribe meetings manually - painstakingly typing out every word. If I’d known then what I know now, I’d have let AI tools like Grain do the heavy lifting in seconds.
That’s what excites me about technology, it makes life easier, not just in theory, but in practice.
Advice for Anyone Starting Out in Tech
Keep an open mind. Listen to others, get different perspectives, and don’t be afraid to challenge your own assumptions. But also, at some point, make a decision. Overthinking leads to inaction. If you’ve done the research, had the conversations, and weighed up your options, make the call and move forward.
The Future of Tech and What Excites Me
If I had to sum up where technology is going in one sentence, it would be: What used to take three hours, we can now do in three clicks.
Automation and AI are making processes faster, smarter, and more efficient. When I talk to clients, I love showing them just how much time they can save with the right tools. That’s what excites me, the idea that we’re helping organisations cut through the noise and get things done in a way that wasn’t possible before.
Final Thoughts
So, that’s me! A mix of history, politics, technology, and the occasional terrible joke. I’m fascinated by people and how technology shapes the way we work, think, and connect.
If you ever want to chat about digital transformation, AI, or whether stuffed sheep’s head is a good idea, I’m happy to oblige. Until then, I’ll be here at Yopla, learning something new every day.
