Page 41 - Gi February 2019 - flipbook

front of an audience with years more Costain as part of its strategy to remember walking around the
experience than I. develop consultancy and technology. museum afterwards wondering how I
“Nonetheless, my boss Jonathan’s And after four years at Costain, Nigel was going to get the trophy on the
influence was better than my vague left to pursue his passion supporting plane home.”
excuses, so I entered. Looking back, mid-sized organisations to develop Just 25 at the time, Ben was working
winning the regional contest and, and grow. ■ as an Electrical and Instrumentation
later, the national competition was a (E&I) Projects Officer for SGN, but says
turning point for me. taking part in the YPPC had a “major
“The benefit was not in the winning BEN CLARKE impact” on his career afterwards.
or losing, nor from gaining greater “Not only did it lead directly to me
knowledge during the research of my THEN: E&I Projects Officer for SGN, accepting a job offer in a different part
paper, but was in the process. aged 25 of the gas industry, I also became
“I was given access to an institution NOW: Regional Accounts Manager deeply involved with IGEM, initially at
made up of people who deeply cared (Scotland) for PM PROjEN, aged 39 Section level, but ultimately serving
about supporting the development of seven years on Council, which was a
young people. This access and A BOUT OF ILL fantastic experience and also excellent
subsequent mentoring played a HEALTH meant for networking,” said Ben.
significant role in helping me to Ben almost Fourteen years on, Ben is now
develop my career.” missed his Regional Accounts Manager for an
After the competition, Nigel joined Section heat engineering consultancy firm working
the IGEM Young Persons Network and back in 2005. across multiple industries.
subsequently became YPN Chair. He Having spent He said: “The YPPC has had nothing
says being part of the IGEM YPN several weeks but a positive impact for me and I
opened up the IGEM professional off work in the run-up to the would strongly encourage anyone to
network and gave him the chance to competition, it was simply good take part. Win or lose, you will be glad
meet people from across the industry. fortune that he was well enough to you did.” ■
“I progressed from being a project take part when the time came.
engineer into project management, It was a good thing too, as he ended
which I absolutely loved,” said Nigel. up going on to win the national final, YOU HAVE TO BE
“The role broadened my perspective held at Birmingham’s National IN IT TO WIN IT
and helped me gain a much stronger Motorcycle Museum.
awareness of the importance of the He said: “I had been encouraged to
supply chain and the value it can bring do a presentation to the Scottish There’s still time to enter this
when engaged and incentivised Section the previous summer, so it year’s YPPC. If you want to be in
correctly.” seemed a small step to rewrite it and with a chance of claiming the top
After eight years in the gas industry enter the YPPC. prize, visit www.igem.org.uk to
spent managing a number of high “My main memory of the evening find out more. Notify IGEM of
pressure gas and electric construction was my increasing nervousness as I your intention to enter or send
projects, Nigel left to manage the waited my turn to present. However, it your abstract to ypn@igem.org.
construction of a new build nuclear- dissipated as soon as I got the first uk. The deadline for entries is 28
powered attack submarine for the slide out of the way.” February.
Royal Navy. “Winning was a bit of a blur. I
Four years later, he returned to the
gas industry as Chief Executive of a
small project management
consultancy, AB Rhead & Associates.
Later renamed Rhead Group, the
business grew across the energy and
defence sectors and expanded into the
Middle East, Australia and Singapore.
“During my ten years at Rhead, I had
the privilege of working with some
incredible people who had a shared
passion for building a business that
competed with the traditional greats.
“The experience was remarkable and
the notorious Rhead annual party
grew from 20-30 in a room to 600 or
so. We had a strong belief in
celebrating success as a team, which
included the partners recognising that
most of us worked away from home
during the week.”
In 2015, Rhead was bought by Ben Clarke wins in 2005

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