Ross Oakley is managing director of North East civil and structural engineers RWO. The firm employs 30 people across its Newcastle and Leeds operations and provides services including pre- planning work to detailed design.

What was your first job (and how much did it pay)?

It was at a Kwik Save store, around 25 years ago. I earned a few pounds an hour, I think. I remember it was long hours, lots of shelf stacking and having to get up far too early for the Saturday morning start. It certainly taught me a lot about hard work at a young age.

What is the best advice or support you’ve been given in business?

I have been lucky enough to meet and receive advice from many people in my career. I guess I’ve learnt the importance of really listening to the views and opinions of others. Even if at the time the advice doesn’t fit the situation, take it on board, as you never know when it will be useful.

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What are the main changes you’ve seen in your business/sector, and what are the challenges you’re facing?

Covid has of course had a huge impact, necessitating changes across our operations. In the absence of face-to-face meetings, we’ve had to find unusual ways to support our clients and share information with them in different formats. The skills shortage also continues to be challenging - finding the right people has always been difficult, but at the moment it seems harder than ever.

How has the pandemic changed the way you work?

Flexible working practices have become the norm for almost everyone and our employees have experienced home working, benefitting from investment in comms tech to stay I touch. We have also implemented changes in the way internal resources are managed, which have been beneficial.

Who is your role model in business?

There’s no-one in particular who stands out. However, I have enjoyed the wit and wisdom of various people from all walks of live at some point in my life, drawing on their thoughts and experiences as we have established RWO.

What would your dream job be?

If you had asked 10-year-old me, I would have answered running a business, so I guess I am doing it. I always wanted to be my own boss, running my own business someday, but I had no idea at the time what that would be.

What advice would you give to someone starting out a career in your sector?

Be patient and don’t expect to know everything overnight. Civil and structural engineers have a lot to learn, so it’s important to take your time to understand as much as possible and gain from other people’s experiences. Never be afraid to ask lots of questions.

What makes the North East a good place to do business?

The North East has always been a terrific place to do business with great opportunities to network, meet new people and build lifelong friendships. It’s also a tough, resilient place, where communities come together when times are hard.

How important is it for business to play a role in society?

It’s important for businesses to give back. Companies like ours provide jobs and income for local people, equipping them with beneficial skills and experiences that can help them to be successful inside and outside of the workplace. I think it’s also important for businesses to give back to local communities and support them as much as possible.

Outside of work, what are you really good at?

I really enjoy hiking and exploring the great outdoors and spending time with the family. I haven’t found what I am really good at yet but it is fair to say DIY has been ruled out! And there is of course, experiencing life’s ups and downs with Newcastle United - although I’m not so sure how good for your health that is!

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