I had a part-time summer job in the Anglian Water laboratories while I was studying for a BSc in Chemistry.
After completing a Masters in Analytical Chemistry at the University of East Anglia, I joined a Graduate Development Programme in Operational Management.
First and foremost, the programme gave me a thorough understanding of the company. I worked in a lot of different areas, such as supply, wastewater collection, wastewater treatment, customer services, and engineering. Consequently, I learned a tremendous amount about how people work in different jobs and how things appear in different parts of the business.
The programme was about throwing you in right at the deep end, doing jobs on the front line. I had opportunities to pick up responsibilities sooner than I ever would have expected, and it wasn’t too long before I was running quite a big water supply system. You didn’t leave the programme knowing everything, but the most important thing you can learn is how to manage people and you finished up with a toolbag of management skills.
I liked the feel of the company, I liked the people, and I could see enough opportunities laid out in the future that whether I wanted to stay on wasn’t even a question. My first job was as a supply superintendent. Then I was a district manager, a customer service manager, and a water manager. After that I had a number of senior managerial positions in the Philippines, the US, and Europe. On returning to the UK, I had several successful years as Chief Operating Officer, being responsible for the whole of company operations. As of January 2010 I am pleased to take on the new challenge of Managing Director.
It’s a company that people are proud to work for. There’s a strong sense of team working, particularly in the operational sphere but also across the business. This company is vital to the area it serves, so I think someone who’s got a sense of the bigger picture and a strong social conscience will do well here. Also someone who’s got staying power and who doesn’t give up easily. In many jobs you can give up on a difficult problem, but here we can’t because what we do is essential. If you’re applying to Anglian Water, take time to research the company properly. If you understand what we’re about and you’re really committed, we want you to work for us.