the big interview
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Time for women to take a leading role in IT It is fair to say that Katerina Damcova, founding partner and managing director of Kingston-based IQ in IT likes to keep herself busy.
In addition to running the IT support services business she set up in 2009 with technical director Luke Whitelock, she is also the current president of the Kingston Chamber of Commerce. Katerina took over the role in 2020 and due to the pandemic is the only one to be elected via a virtual AGM! But before we look at her role within the Kingston Chamber, let’s just rewind to when she first developed an interest in IT and how her career has taken shape since.
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Brought up in the Czech Republic, Katerina’s grandfather was an electrician and from her early teens she developed a fascination with electronics. This led to an interest in computers and IT which in turn resulted in Katerina studying for a degree in information technology. She moved to the UK in 2005 and found work as an IT manager for a London-based firm. Just four years later and Katerina was setting up her own business in Kingston upon Thames.
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What was the motivation behind this? “The reason I started the business was because I wanted to provide a better service to customers than the company I was working for (at that time) was doing. “I always strive to do things better and provide my clients and my employees a best possible experience. Going the extra mile in supporting my clients as well as being a flexible and supportive employer is important for me in building long term relationships”.
