MEng Mechanical Engineering, Warwick University - 2003

Having graduated from  Warwick in 2003 with a 2:1 MEng in Mechanical Engineering, I moved on to teach Science in a London secondary school on the ‘Teach First’ programme for two years … that was before deciding what I really wanted to do was to try a career in industry!

I started with Solaglas Contracting North in 2005 in the Estimating Department and spent the first year getting to grips with the aluminium and glazing industry - a lot to learn in a very short time! I became familiar with the systems we offer, the different types of glass we use, the estimating software and pricing process, as well as getting involved in the more commercial side of value engineering and agreeing contract terms. In the first 8 months alone I won over £1m worth of business for the business. It’s a fantastic thing to start a job where you are expected to pull your weight and make a real contribution in a very short space of time.

I then moved on to Project Management and was tasked with launching Bradford's Specialist works business. The business plan was written late summer in 2006 and Specialist Works launched with its own P&L from the start of 2007 … with me as Sales person, Estimator and Project Manager!!! As a Project Manager I was responsible for the next stage of the projects - managing the design stages, materials procurement, fabrication and on-site installation of a range of glazing projects, regularly several at a time, ranging from a value of £2k to £100k.

I was promoted to Specialist Works Manager in October 2007. I now have full responsibility for growing a brand new business from scratch, a business which in its 1st year turned over just over 900k and has a plan to grow to £2-3m over the next three of years. We also now have a full grown specialist works team - an Office Coordinator, a Project / Site Supervisor and two Glaziers …. All reporting direct to me!

I am really enjoying my time at Solaglas and have felt from day one you get exactly what is promised - a real chance to do a proper job. You are challenged from the very beginning with the expectation you will grasp every opportunity provided. The more willing you are, the more opportunities there are … and I must have been willing, as not only have I benefited from the standard development programme, I have also been privileged enough to attend the Saint-Gobain New Managers course for 2 weeks in Boston (USA not Lincolnshire!) and the week long Saint-Gobain Business Managers course in Belgium.

If you enjoy a challenge and are looking for something with real responsibility in a short space of time, Solaglas definitely fits the bill!