Nigel Brookes-Thomas - Crafting a legacy of quality: One test artefact at a time

In this episode of Leading With Quality, Rosie Sherry chats with Nigel Brookes-Thomas, Principal Quality Engineer at the DVLA (Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency, UK). With over 20 years at the organisation, Nigel has seen IT shift from outsourced contracts to an in-sourced, engineering-led culture where quality sits alongside software, data, and cloud as a first-class discipline.

They explore what it means to “use the engineer word with meaning,” why testing artefacts can outlive the systems they validate, and how Nigel fosters a community of quality specialists in a matrixed organisation. Nigel shares how building tools in-house has given his teams control of their destiny, why human thinking remains vital alongside automation, and how he balances leading with creating space for people to learn through trying, failing, and sharing.

You’ll hear about:

• Why quality deserves equal footing with other engineering disciplines
• The value of testing artefacts as living documentation and history
• Balancing automation with human-led exploration in a 50/50 split
• The challenges of hiring testers who can think critically in today’s AI-shaped job market
• Why leadership often feels like “stumbling in the dark” and why that’s okay

If you’re curious about building sustainable quality practices in large organisations, creating tools that fit your context, and leading with humility while empowering others, this conversation is packed with insights and inspiration.