Meet the Magnopians: Amy Poyner
Amy studied Multimedia Design at university, a degree that allowed her to wear many different hats on projects, ranging from Producer and Designer to Engineer and Tester. Hungry for real-world experience, she volunteered with the West Midlands Fire Service within their Learning & Development department. There, she supported content creation and the prototyping of a learning tool for safety procedures and badges.
Her professional journey then took her to a Communications & Event Agency. While she joined the Digital team as a Project Manager, she transitioned into Quality Assurance ten years ago and has never looked back. Seeking a fresh challenge beyond the traditional, Amy joined Magnopus nearly four years ago.
Tell us about your role at Magnopus!
As a QA Manager, I lead and manage our UK QA team, overseeing all QA activities and ensuring projects hit their quality goals. It’s about anticipating and identifying problems, recommending effective solutions, strategically adapting the QA approach to different project needs, and collaborating with other disciplines, clients, and end users to deliver on requirements.
What made you decide to pursue a career in this field?
Being inquisitive, not being satisfied with following the ‘happy path’. Striving to make solutions better for everyone.
What has been your proudest/standout moment while working at Magnopus?
Being part of the team that launched OKO and the Connected Spaces Platform (CSP) – our products that connect physical and digital spaces. Aside from this, I take great pride in seeing my team succeed – getting to play a small part in supporting their successes.
What’s your favourite thing to do when you’re not working?
All the sports! Reading, watching, and playing them! You’ll regularly find me on some sort of green surface, be that playing or coaching Hockey (Field Hockey, definitely not the kind on ice!), or playing Crown Green Bowls (there is nothing more inspiring or humbling than losing to an 80-year-old woman).
If you could have any other job in the world, what would it be?
It may seem random, but it would be a Chef. There are a lot of qualities that align with my actual role and discipline. Plus, I love trying new ingredients and cuisines.
Tell us something that would surprise us!
I’m extremely competitive, and I play to win! Also, in my youth, I played football with the most recent winner of Strictly Come Dancing.
If you could wake up in the body of another person (just for one day) who would it be and why?
Fred Again.. Mainly because so far I have been unsuccessful in getting to attend one of his gigs. So to experience the world as the maestro himself would be incredible. Otherwise, it would be my dog Edie Pug, as she lives like a queen!
How do you want to leave a mark on the world – personally or professionally?
I want my mark on the world to be defined by the way I listen. We live in a chaotic era where being heard can be rare, so I strive to be a constant, supportive presence for those around me. Whether I’m leading a team or supporting a friend, I hope to leave behind a legacy of empathy – ensuring that no one in my circle ever feels invisible or without an advocate.
Do you have a go-to karaoke song?
Karaoke is my worst nightmare; I would never subject anyone to hearing me sing.
How do you think your friends would describe you?
Teller of the truth. Lovably awkward. Sarcastic. Selfless.
