Continuous challenge
After graduating from Sheffield University with an Honours Degree in Mechanical Engineering, I joined the Ministry of Defence and worked as a Professional Engineer for 8 years. I made the decision to move away from my technical discipline in the MOD and into the field of Project Management in private industry.
I find the management of software development projects continually challenging, but ultimately very rewarding. It’s very satisfying being able to see how our solutions deliver benefit to our clients, whether to meet strategic business needs, or for the resolution of specific issues.
High calibre
I joined VEGA in 1990, providing project management support for 2 years to DRA (Defence Research Agency) Farnborough on the ESA (European Space Agency) Earth Resources Satellite project, followed by a 2-year assignment at Inmarsat in London.
Following my assignment in London, I transferred back to Welwyn Garden City, to manage some of VEGA’s emulation and training projects. My previous projects have included the Avionics Systems Trainer for the Royal Air Force and the F16 Avionics Technician Training Package for the Dutch and Norwegian Air Forces.
I am currently a project manager in the Defence Systems area, managing the development and delivery of the Counter Battery Radar (COBRA) Computer Based Training system for Thales (UK). COBRA is a multi-national project, which will be rolled out to the UK, German, and French armed forces in 2004.
Something common to all of the projects that I have been involved with in VEGA is the high calibre and motivation of the people I work with; this makes my life as a project manager a great deal easier than it could be. I know I am working with people that I can depend on.
People company
For me, a couple of VEGA’s important features are its size and structure. Firstly, the company is of such a size that most people know each other; this makes for a friendly environment and you also know who to speak to if you need expertise in a specific area. Secondly, you know that the performance of you and your team can have a significant impact on the overall performance of the Company, which is a sobering and motivating thought!
By its very nature, we have always been a ‘People Company’. VEGA’s continued success therefore relies on the recruitment and retention of bright, highly motivated people, with the will to succeed. Progression within VEGA is very much based on merit, so an individual’s destiny is largely in their own hands. And, with projects typically lasting from 3 months to 2 years, VEGA provides an environment where people can experience a complete project lifecycle within a relatively short space of time.
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