Our Associate Consultant, Joe Donnelly, has quickly become one of the standout figures in the Corecom Tech Academy, known for his calm leadership, technical depth, and ability to keep teams moving forward under pressure.
As Automation Owner on a key client project, Joe supervises two teams (6 engineers total) and has shown consistently high results from his hard work.
We sat down with Joe to talk about his journey, his achievements, and what drives him.
What’s your background and what made you want to transition into tech?
I originally studied Business Economics with Accountancy and went on to complete a Master’s in Global Investment Management, which led me into financial services roles at NatWest (Personal Banking) and Citi (Analyst).
After several years in banking, including 18 months in a senior foreign exchange operations position, I completed a Full‑Stack Development Diploma, became ISTQB certified, and found that software and automation combined everything I enjoyed – analytical thinking, structured logic, and the chance to build solutions that make a real impact.
Transitioning into tech has been the most rewarding step in my career so far.
Tell us a bit about your role and what you do day‑to‑day.
I currently operate as an Automation Owner across two teams. My day‑to‑day involves supporting the three engineers I supervise, making sure they have everything they need to progress their tickets, and liaising with client teams to verify our test scope. I also manage handovers with the day team, run leftover regressions, and handle any test fixes that come through. It’s a busy role, but I enjoy the responsibility.
You’ve had some major achievements over the last year – what are you most proud of?
Over the last year, I’ve independently completed 120 test tickets, covering full end‑to‑end UI and API scenarios. I’m proud of that because it shows the trust the team and the client have in me and the consistency of my work. It’s a big step in my early tech career, and I’m excited to see what’s next!
What soft skills have been important to you during your Academy journey?
On one of my projects, I currently lead a four-person team, managing mainly development work, managerial duties, and defining the team strategy.
Across the teams I’m managing, I try to create an environment where people feel supported and confident in what they’re doing. For this, communication is a huge part of my role, so I make sure I’m always approachable and ready to help solve anything that could potentially slow the team down.
What additional skills have helped you succeed in automation?
Attention to detail is huge in automation – small mistakes can cause big issues. I’ve also developed strong problem‑solving skills and a good understanding of how to structure tests effectively. But honestly, leadership and communication have been just as important. Being able to guide others and keep the team aligned makes a massive difference.
How has the Academy supported your development into these senior roles?
The Academy gave me the foundation and, more importantly, the opportunity to take on responsibility early in my career.
Through hands-on project work and exposure to real client environments, I was able to develop both my technical skills and my understanding of how delivery teams operate. Just as importantly, I was trusted to take ownership – whether that was improving automation practices on my project or leading a data focused initiative on the side.
That combination of structured learning and real responsibility accelerated my growth, allowing me to move beyond purely technical contributions and begin developing as a technical leader within my teams.
“I didn’t just transition into tech through the Academy – I accelerated into a role where I could lead, not just learn.“
Joe Donnelly
Automation Owner
What’s next for you?
Over the next two to three years, my ambition is to grow into a technical leadership role where I can help shape how teams approach quality engineering and test automation.
In particular, I am interested in leading the design and evolution of automation frameworks, improving testing strategies for complex systems, and helping teams adopt practices that make testing more reliable, maintainable, and valuable to delivery outcomes.
I enjoy working at the intersection of technical problem-solving and team collaboration, and I would like to continue developing in roles where I can support both the technical direction and the effectiveness of the team.
Joe’s story is a brilliant example of what can happen when talent, determination, and the right opportunities align.
From becoming ISTQB‑certified to leading teams and driving automation improvements, Joe is already making a big impact in client teams – and we’re excited to see what he does next.
Our incredible Associate Consultants are continuing to shape the future of tech. Meet more of them here.
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