Job title: Principal Consultant
Employer: Maze Fire Consulting
Please describe your current role.
I am a Principal Consultant working at a newly formed consultancy. My role is quite varied because we are a consultancy that provides fire engineering and fire consultancy services to all sectors of the built environment.
I am part of the management team which involves planning the future workload and direction of the company. As a principal consultant my time will be split between site work, report writing, managing projects and reviewing work – either other people’s reports or fee proposals. I also support our junior consultants.
Can you describe a typical working day?
One of the things I enjoy is that there is no typical day. I work remotely so my “office days” will usually begin with the gym and/or the school run before getting to my desk at about 08:30. I may have a day where I am buried in report writing all day or I could be in and out of client meetings. Alternatively, I may have a day on-site to become familiar with a new project, reviewing external walls or carrying out fire risk assessments. I try to limit my site days so that I am rarely away from home for more than one night a week. I enjoy working on-site so travel is a part of my job which must be embraced.
Are there any challenges or unusual aspects to your role?
In the fire safety industry we are constantly challenged to ensure that our knowledge is at the forefront of the current developments so that our clients receive the best advice possible. Keeping abreast of all the latest developments whilst achieving deadlines can create time pressure but fortunately, I enjoy maintaining my knowledge. It can also be a challenge to know when you have reached the extent of your knowledge and have the confidence to take advice from a colleague.
What do you find most enjoyable about your job?
I enjoy getting onsite and meeting clients. I am very happy when I have to work out how the fire safety elements of a building were designed, which normally occurs when the fire safety strategy is unavailable. As part of this, I love taking junior consultants out to sites to give them first-hand experience of the built environment.
Is there a great professional achievement you would like to tell us about?
Without a doubt, completing my MEng at the University of Central Lancashire whilst working full-time is my greatest professional achievement. It was a real family project because it required the support of everyone at home as I was much less available during that period. I’m happy to say that my career has been catapulted forward due to my studies and work ethic, so the study period feels like a very worthy investment in my career and family’s future.
What contributed to your decision to become professionally registered?
From early on in my studies at UCLan I have had the goal of becoming a Chartered Engineer. This contributed to the decision to transfer from the BEng course to theintegrated MEng which is accredited by the IFE and Engineering Council towards CEng professional registration. I also knew from my time in the fire service that it is difficult for clients to decipher who has the necessary competence to complete their requirements. The obvious way to demonstrate your competence is to put yourself through an external assessment process to achieve registration. I applied for EngTech as soon as I left the fire service and then IEng once I received my degree certificate. In addition to professional competency, I also recognise the importance that being professionally registered has on the code, conduct and standards of those operating in the industry. I am proud to work for a company that places such emphasis on these values.
In what ways has registration benefitted your career?
The obvious benefit is that my clients and peers can demonstrably see that I have been assessed by industry professionals and that I have demonstrated suitable competence to be registered as IEng. This gives me more confidence, especially when meeting industry professionals for the first time.
How does your employer benefit from your professional registration?
There are clear business benefits from professional registration, none more so than being eligible to apply for the EWS1 PII scheme which has a minimum requirement of IEng registration. More clients are asking how many Incorporated or Chartered Engineers we employ when we are invited to tender for projects. My registration as IEng gives the company a significant boost in the process.
What advice would you give to someone considering professional registration?
I have used the registration process as a career ladder tool over the last few years. Having regular goals has kept me focussed on the type of projects I’m working on and also the CPD opportunities I seek out. Anyone in the early part of their career should look to apply for professional registration as soon as they are able. Don’t wait until you are on the wrong side of 40 with three kids like me as life only gets busier!