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So how does a future Young Consultant of the Year start his career?
“I started from a heavy engineering background. I went through a graduate training scheme with a firm called FKI and was involved in designing machinery and components, things like switch gear, motors and generators.
“As part of that work I got the opportunity to travel. I spent six months in the middle of Kentucky then a further six months near Vicenza in Italy. That was a fantastic experience and a big challenge. I had to pick up the language while studying for an MBA. So I learned a lot in terms of life skills, fitting in to new environments where the entire culture was very different.”
How did that lead to your current career?
“I worked hard during my placement but it was only when I got back to the UK and moved into building services and eventually Atkins that my career really started to take an upwards path.
“I got involved in so much going on around London, absorbing as much information as possible by going along to lectures and talks by ACE, the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) and the Construction Excellence Club. I was really spoiled for choice.
“For me there was a lot of hands-on, learn-as-you-go work and I met some fantastic people who have influenced me. I think people naturally want to pass on their knowledge and I have met some great characters, but they in turn need support to do it.
“I think there is a stark contrast when you compare that to some other professional industries who supplement the learning from academia. They take people on from all walks of life and give them on-the-job training with the very specific skills they need to do their job on a practical level.
“In design consultancy we need to apply similar principles in new and bespoke ways to the different projects we get. There are basic skills that the industry can train people with, but I don’t think any one body could achieve that alone. I think it has to be done in collaboration between professional bodies and the organisations we work for.
“I take a very active involvement with the young engineers in our organisation, and I am scheme co-ordinator for the CIBSE graduate training scheme. There is some great talent out there and we have to inspire them. They work hard because they are interested, so there is an opportunity to capitalise on that motivation, give them the best possible start to their careers and lift the standing of the sector by making sure core skills are in place.
And where does a Young Consultant of the Year take his career next?
“I would love to be somebody who is able to shape the engineering landscape and change the way in which we work. I want to make a real contribution in terms of engineering.”
“I look around and see certain influences with some fantastic people and role models both at my company and in the industry as a whole. I look at those people and think ‘that’s what I want’. While the business and commercial side is fantastic, it is pushing the boundaries and shaping the engineering landscape that inspires me.
“I work in the low energy and low carbon buildings sector and there is still so much to be done. I’ve had a lot of great opportunities to get involved in new and exciting work, and always look to develop it as far as I can. I enjoy being involved with the industry, ACE, CIBSE and others and take every opportunity to put myself out there and meet some fantastic groups of people that otherwise you don’t meet day to day.
“So I’m hopefully getting recognised for being good at what I do and I’m incredibly grateful to ACE and NCE for the award. I think this success has come from my passion for engineering and the support of the people around me.”
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