Matt Gaynor at ITN

Navigating the World of Networking: A Conversation with Matt Gaynor

We’re excited to share another insightful episode of the Route to Networking Podcast. In this episode, host George Barnes had the pleasure of speaking with the inspiring Matt Gaynor, an IP Engineer at ITN, Independent Television News.  They are a major UK-based news and multimedia production company. Best known for producing news programmes for ITV, Channel 4, and Channel 5, ITN has a long history of delivering high-quality, independent journalism. In addition to news, ITN produces documentaries, sports content, and corporate productions, leveraging cutting-edge broadcasting technology to bring stories to life. ITN's extensive infrastructure relies on a strong networking backbone to ensure seamless live broadcasts and media production, which is where Matt’s skills are essential!

George sat down with Matt to talk through his networking journey, the challenges of breaking into the industry, and where he sees the future of networking heading.

A Passion for Technology from an Early Age

Matt’s journey into networking began with a childhood curiosity for technology. Receiving his first Raspberry Pi in 2012 sparked a fascination that led him to experiment with Linux, home networks, and virtual machines. Over the years, he expanded his home lab, diving deep into networking concepts, which set the foundation for his future career.

While at school, Matt was part of the STEM club, where he worked on projects like building drones. This hands-on approach, combined with A-level studies in computer science, maths, and physics, solidified his decision to pursue networking as a career.

Choosing the Right Path: University and Industry Experience

Finding the right university for networking wasn’t easy, as most institutions focus on broader computer science courses. After thorough research, Matt chose the University of Portsmouth, which stood out due to its strong networking labs and facilities.

A pivotal moment in his career was securing a placement year at Cisco, which he describes as “the best decision of my professional career.” Working in Solutions Validation Services (SVS), Matt gained hands-on experience with high-end network testing, working with real-world infrastructure used by major enterprises. His placement not only provided industry experience but also secured him a graduate role at Cisco after university. His biggest advice for students? “Do a placement year—it makes a huge difference.”

Facing Setbacks: The Reality of Industry Layoffs

After securing a full-time role at Cisco, Matt faced an unexpected challenge - company-wide layoffs impacted his team. Despite the initial shock, he took a proactive approach, using his remaining time at Cisco to earn the CCNP Core certification and leverage his network to find a new role.

Matt reached out to industry connections and to George here at Hamilton Barnes, which led him to his current position at ITN. His story is a testament to resilience, the importance of professional networking, being passionate and how setbacks can often lead to better opportunities.

A Career at ITN: The Intersection of Networking and Broadcasting

At ITN, Matt works as an IP Network Engineer, helping to maintain the company’s high-capacity 100Gbps network that supports live broadcasting. ITN’s operations rely on SMPTE 2110, a set of standards that enable uncompressed video transport over IP networks.

His role involves managing the media and corporate networks, providing high-speed connectivity for field teams, overseeing remote broadcasting infrastructure, and implementing network monitoring solutions. Matt shares how ITN’s news coverage, including major events like elections, depends on real-time, reliable network infrastructure, making his work crucial to keeping broadcasts running smoothly.

The Evolution of Networking and Emerging Technologies

Looking ahead, Matt sees VXLAN as a game-changer for network flexibility, allowing seamless connectivity between different locations without infrastructure changes. He also highlights the potential of streaming telemetry for real-time network monitoring, though challenges remain in implementation.

Regarding AI in networking, Matt remains a little sceptical for now, with thoughts there is a lot more development needed for AI to fully understand networking, but acknowledges its potential for automating first-line support and improving network efficiency.

Advice for Aspiring Network Engineers

For young professionals looking to enter networking, Matt emphasises the importance of starting early by exploring home labs and experimenting with networking concepts. He highlights how certifications such as the CCNA can open doors, while the CCNP helps set professionals apart. He also discusses the value of both university and apprenticeship paths, explaining that the right choice depends on individual learning styles. Most importantly, he stresses that networking is key—building industry connections and leveraging them can make a huge difference when job hunting.

Final Thoughts and Quick Fire Round

To wrap up the episode, Matt takes part in our quick-fire round, answering questions about his favourite networking certifications, the role he’d love to try for a day, and even a tech-related joke. But we won’t spoil the answers here—you’ll have to listen to the full episode to find out!

Matt’s journey highlights the importance of passion, persistence, and adaptability in the networking industry. Whether you’re a student, an aspiring network engineer, or a seasoned professional, his insights offer valuable lessons for navigating this ever-evolving field.

Learn more about and listen to the full episode now on The Route To Networking Podcast!

Connect with Matt:

🔗 LinkedIn: Matt Gaynor
🛜 Website: https://matt.gaynor.tech/