Amazing Starts With: Darren

Name: Darren

Role: Draw Engineer

Location: Watford, HQ

Time at Camelot: 2+ years

What’s your Camelot story?

I joined the Draw Team at Camelot over two and a half years ago and I’ve enjoyed my time here. It’s a very unique role which is exciting and important to the business.

What does your current role entail?

I am a Draw Engineer along with my colleague Tony. Our primary function is to keep the Lotto and Thunderball machines and balls certified and in good working order. We carry out machine servicing, repairs when necessary and push the button on draw night. The machines are hand built to a very high quality so it is unlikely that they will break down, but if anything was to ever go wrong, we are on hand to get them up and running as quickly as possible. We also look after the facility at Pinewood Studio and work closely with the Broadcast Team.

What skills help you succeed in this role?

I have a mechanical and electrical service background, working for some well-known companies including Bosch, Hitachi and Coca-Cola. Years spent in this industry has set me up well to support the Draw team in this role.

What’s the most exciting thing about working at Camelot?

Every week I’m part of the team that produces the Thunderball and Lotto draw at the world famous Pinewood Studios. When I first started, the Draw was on live TV and I remember my first time standing in front of the cameras - it was very scary but exciting too! I don't think I’ll ever live down wearing the famous white gloves with my friends and family though!

What makes you proud to work for Camelot?

Definitely the Good Causes that benefit from National Lottery funding! I’m proud to be part of a business that supports nationwide projects; from restoring old buildings, supplying better facilities in local communities and bringing home gold medals. It amazes me how much money is generated and given each week (on average it's around £30 million per week!).

If you didn’t work at Camelot, what would be your dream job?

I’d love to work on a reef conservation project. A friend of mine introduced me to her cousin who works in Bali with the local community. I have a lot of diving experience and working with this type of project would be so rewarding and so fun!

What do you enjoy doing outside of work?

I play a lot of tennis with my two children and I have coached junior tennis in the past as a volunteer. I’ve also started playing Padel tennis which is a Spanish racket sport. It is pulling me away from the green grass of Wimbledon and on to the hard courts of Hyde Park.