Bhishma Patel, is 26 years old and he recently started his own education technology business in Birmingham called the School of Code. Bhishma studied Computer Science at the University of Birmingham, which is where he met his business partner Christopher Meah. Studying computing gave him a strong foundation to enter the working world (coding/programming skills are more in demand than ever) and he managed to secure a graduate job in banking in the City of London. After 4 years of working for a corporate Bhishma made the decision to pursue something he found more fulfilling and started on the School of Code journey.
When he is not putting hours in to the business you’ll find him spending time with family and friends - or trying to keep fit. He recently started taking amateur acting classes and would highly recommend them; they’re amazing fun and a great way to build confidence and meet new people.
1) What is your current position?
I am the CTO (Chief Technical Officer) and a co-founder of the School of Code, a tech startup that aims to get more and different types of people in to coding. We have built an online, multiplayer platform which allows anyone to log on and learn how make their own websites or apps.
2) What are your proudest achievements?
Using our business as a conduit to bring about positive, social change. So far we have delivered classes to homeless people in partnership with Crisis, kids and their parents alongside the BBC and we are currently working with Code Your Future to teach refugees.
3) What inspires you?
I believe that education can truly inspire and empower, it is unfortunate that some don’t always have access to that education. There is a wonderful clip from the documentary, Life In A Day, where an 11-year old shoe shiner looks forward to getting home and reading Wikipedia, that is truly inspiring.
4) What has been the biggest obstacle in your career?
My biggest obstacle has been myself. In business it is really important to be self-aware and adapt behaviours that are hindering progress or affecting team dynamics. This should be done regularly but can be stressful and emotionally draining so I can sometimes put it off and can get stuck in old ways.
5) Who has been the biggest influence on your career to date?
My parents. They both started with nothing to their name but through sheer hard work and determination (and access to free education) they were able to study as pharmacists and eventually open their own local pharmacy.
6) What is the best aspect about your current role?
Being able explore opportunities. There are many exciting ways that our business could move forward, with new ideas and innovations presenting themselves every day. Not being confined to a box and having the freedom to pursue the different paths is great.
7) And the worst?
Making tough decisions. Having a wide selection of potential opportunities but a limited capacity to explore them means that some things just can’t be done. Deciding what to do and what not to can be very tough because it is sometimes hard to justify one route over the other, and can leave you thinking ‘what if’.
8) What are your long term goals?
To grow the School of Code across the UK and beyond. To increase the reach of the School of Code so that we give as many people as possible the opportunity to pursue their ambitions in technology – be that working for a tech company, starting their own business, or simply exploring their creative side.
9) If you were the Prime Minister, what one aspect would you change?
Reform education. The world has experienced unprecedented and accelerated innovation during the internet age yet our education system has yet to catch up. The iPhone was invented less than 10 years ago yet smartphones have changed every aspects of our lives, what will the world look like when our kids grow up in 10-20 years’ time?
10) If you were marooned on a desert island, which historical figure would you like to spend your time with and why?
Mahatma Gandhi. My grandfather founded the Mahatma Gandhi Foundations in the UK and Uganda and I have grown up with a fascination and respect for Gandhi’s actions and achievements. He has taught me that anyone, no matter who, can make an impact. I would also like to spend time with Winston Churchill for my admiration of his leadership and courage during the darkest times in history.
