Does an engineering company manager need to be an engineer? Definitely not, says Claire Davies.
Engineering companies, particularly SMEs, often end up being run by the engineers who founded them. But are engineering skills really the most appropriate for leading engineering companies? We asked Claire Davies, managing director at Egis UK – originally a civil engineering company that she describes as a collective of architects, scientists, economists, consultants, engineers and operational experts. With a degree in chemistry and a PhD in geochemistry, Davies says that a background in engineering isn’t necessary to lead an engineering company.
Q Claire, you don’t have an engineering background. Does a skill-set in leadership apply to any organisation?
I want to provide the best environment possible for our talented teams to thrive, enabling them to deliver exceptional outcomes for our clients and meaningful, lasting impact to communities. My role is very strategic and involves understanding...