Andrew Normand is a chartered mechanical engineer and senior manager for Encora Energy. The firm provides project management, engineering, consultancy and operations management services to help commercial energy users, energy traders and financiers exploit opportunities related to the changing needs of the energy market.
What was your first job (and how much did it pay)?
I did the night shift at the local post office emptying mail bags from 10pm to 6am for £7/hr. That was great pay for a teenager in the 1990s, but it wasn’t the pay that made it memorable, it was the great team atmosphere as we worked together to achieve a common goal.
What is the best advice or support you’ve been given in business?
Getting out of your comfort zone makes that zone much bigger and broadens your horizons. Just do it and believe that you can make it work.
What are the main changes you’ve seen in your business/sector, and what are the challenges you’re facing?
I’ve been lucky enough to be involved in two major changes that are still evolving and creating exciting opportunities. One is the transition to a greener, more flexible system of energy generation, transfer and storage. The other is the arrival of the fourth industrial revolution – Industry 4.0 – which is changing how digital systems are revolutionising the way we work in this sector. This all makes for interesting work!
How has the pandemic changed the way you work?
The ability to make quick connections through video conferencing has been a fantastic benefit, but face-to-face meets are still a must for nurturing and strengthening those relationships. There’s a trade-off between ease of connection and depth of connections, and we must find a way to get the best of both worlds.
Who is your role model in business?
I’ve been lucky to have several great managers and leaders and I try to take inspiration from them all. People work in different ways and I try to pick the bits that work for me.
What would your dream job be?
I like what I do at the moment! We’ve got a great team with a great mix of experience and energy, and we’re working on fascinating things that make a clear difference to the world. I also get to achieve a great balance between my work and home life.
What advice would you give to someone starting out a career in your sector?
Get involved, be interested and make connections – and not just because you need something from them. Everything worthwhile that I’ve done has spawned from connections.
What makes the North East a good place to do business?
The North East is at the heart of big changes. The process industries are as important as ever and we have access to a growing offshore wind industry, great digital innovation and brilliant talent from our universities.
How important is it for business to play a role in society?
Business is always going to have a massive impact on lives, whether that’s on an individual basis or in wider society. Companies have a moral and social responsibility to recognise this.
Outside of work, what are you really good at?
I’ve been involved in a lot of hobbies over the years. I play the guitar to a reasonable standard, won competitions in ballroom dancing and have recently taken up Tai chi. I also enjoy raising a healthy and happy family.
READ NEXT:
