What do you do
The last decade has been varied! I’ve bounced around from platoon command roles, where I have led multi-discipline trades to provide an operational output, to leading an armoured engineer maintenance workshop to, now, managing the delivery of spares, policy and documentation on a large fleet of operational support vehicles.
I also provide technical leadership, train and mentor engineers, and translate complex engineering analysis into practical decisions that balance technical, operational and commercial needs.
What inspired you to be an engineer?
I’ve always loved seeing how things work and solving problems. I have a real passion for improving systems and having a logical thought process really helps with this. Engineers make the world better and there’s not much that can be done without them.
Why did you become a Chartered Engineer with the IMechE?
Ever since I decided to pursue engineering, I had the goal of achieving Chartership. For me it is the recognition of a standardised competence, and an internationally recognised achievement.
Even though my academics led me down the electronic engineering route, my experience in the Army, working with vehicles and equipment, meant that the IMechE was a natural choice. I also found that whenever I spoke to members in the IMechE, they were welcoming, encouraging and friendly.
How has being a Chartered Engineer helped your career?
When I achieved my CEng, I immediately felt a greater level of respect from those I worked with, more senior officers and people in industry. They no longer saw me as ‘just’ an Army Officer but recognised my engineering competence as a skillset itself. It provided me with a weight behind my decision making and gave them confidence in my ability. It’s not only that though, I felt more confident in what I was doing and in how I approached problems.
What are your top member benefits?
The resources that we have access to are really good. Whether that’s some of the webinars that are put on, the technical lectures or the online career development software - it’s all really good. Aside from that, I think the other people within IMechE are probably the best member benefit. Meeting people that are like-minded - in some ways - talk your language and have a shared vision of improving things is a really undervalued benefit. I’d really recommend attending some events, they can be really great.
What are your career aspirations?
I want to keep moving forward, keep progressing and furthering my support to the engineering community. I’m now at the end of my Army career and moving on. Whilst my career has taken me slightly away from the in-depth technical work, it’s given me fantastic experience in engineering leadership and management - this has been invaluable. I’ll continue with this and now do what I can to raise awareness for the benefits that engineering & engineering leadership bring.
Find out more about becoming a Chartered Engineer.