A pragmatic, commercially astute engineer with a liking of people and a lateral approach to problem solving.
I was always impressed by large scale infrastructure schemes - Oh! and my professional rugby career was curtailed before it really began!
Heralding from the ruggedly beautiful coastline of North Devon, there were far too many distractions for an impressionable lad and so GCSEs were a decidedly unimpressive affair. Did better with A Levels and finally understood what academia was all about with a good MEng degree from University of Nottingham, whilst maintaining an extensive social and sports itinerary.
Travelled to Australia to play rugby and worked for the Queensland Government Strategic Roads Department in order to pay for physiotherapy bills and tape. Returned to the UK and sought professional rugby contracts before injury dictated that a 'proper job' was required. Nottingham based BWB was the perfect choice!
Enter the fresh-faced transport graduate! Completion of a part-time MSc in Transport Planning and Traffic Engineering (getting good at these exams by now!) saw rapid promotion and the opportunity of establishing a Birmingham transport team. A flair for business development led to a multi-disciplinary regional role and subsequent inclusion within the BWB MBO team. After 3 years, with BWB's capability in the second City growing rapidly and liver and kidneys duly sacrificed, promotion to Group Director - Transport & Infrastructure. Cue - exciting times!!!
The £45M town centre redevelopment of Harlow in Essex. It was the first large Transport Assessment I had managed after only 18 months at BWB. We had a real battle with the local highway authority and I spent many hours in the University library reviewing the research behind various design guidance criteria to support our position. The successful outcome gave me the confidence to challenge even the most firmly held views.
Watching rugby at 30x normal speed to pick out the best bits (thank you Sky+), coaching and even playing on occasions. Lifting heavy things, as my son would say - gym work to you and I. Family and friends and getting stuck-in to building stuff!!
Probably still deciding on my new company car!
