Over the years, we have built an incredible team of highly trained engineers and administrators. Each member brings unique expertise and strengths to every project, and we take pride in delivering exceptional service together.
In the third instalment of our Meet the Team series, we’d like to introduce you to Matt, our operations manager. Learn more about Matt, his role, and why he encourages anyone interested in site engineering to get involved.
Tell us a little about yourself
I am Matt Raven. I am a father of four children aged 9-18. I am currently in the process of renovating a Victorian cottage (four years in and still going). I’d like to tell you that my hobbies are travelling, snowboarding and relaxing, but the reality is that most of my time away from work is spent either working on the house or taking the kids to football, horse riding, netball, cricket and rugby. However, once the house is done, I plan to get back on the pistes and see a bit more of the world.
What is your role title, and what do you do?
I am the Operations Manager, and my role involves liaising with our engineers and clients. I allocate jobs to our engineers, who all have different levels of experience and areas of expertise, so getting the right person for the right job is crucial.
I work with our clients to plan for future project requirements and also provide engineers at short notice should the need arise.
I support our engineers with technical and sometimes practical help and make sure they have everything they need to do their job as efficiently as possible. This can be anything from equipment or advice through to lending an ear if they need to get something off their chest. Having a good relationship with lots of different people is key in my role.
How long have you worked as a site engineer?
I have worked as a site engineer for 20 years.
What made you want to pursue this career?
I always knew I wanted to do a job that involved using my head and my hands. I worked offshore in my twenties, but I couldn’t get used to being away half the year. I left that career and went travelling for a year with a view to deciding what I wanted to do while I was away.
When I got back, I saw an advert for a chainman position, so I applied and I got it. I worked with a really great engineer for my first year who was clever, funny, patient and really encouraged me to learn. I saw how much he enjoyed his work and that made me decide that this was the career for me.
What do you enjoy about your job?
I enjoy the people most, the relationships you have with both the workers on site and the management team. Engineering is one of the few jobs that spans both of these disciplines.
What is your favourite thing about your job?
My favourite thing about my job is the fact that no two projects are the same. Even if you are doing something you’ve done a dozen times before, the location is different, the people are different, and the technology will be evolving. I also like driving past projects I’ve worked on and telling my kids ‘I built that’.
Do any challenges come with your job?
Of course, not everything is plain sailing. My job can be very demanding; clients sometimes have expectations that can be very hard to meet, and engineers can have issues that require a lot of time and input to solve. Sometimes there is so much work coming in that it’s a real juggling act, but it definitely keeps you on your toes.
Do you have any favourite moments from your time as a site engineer? Or a favourite site/project you’ve worked on?
I think if I had to choose a favourite project, it would be Chapelfield Shopping Centre in Norwich. This is where my career began. I started as a chainman and had a great mentor, and I was so proud when I was given my own section to look after.
What would you say to someone considering a site engineering role?
Do it! It’s a great job. There are hard times, like when it’s snowing and you are being asked to set out road markings, or it’s raining and dark and you are having to position bolt sets, but it is very rewarding.
It requires a multitude of skills and I think one of the most important of these skills is being able to build relationships with your co-workers.
You need to be resilient, calm, able to use your initiative, very good at solving problems, innovative and adaptive. It really does have so many different aspects that not many careers can offer.
Expert site engineers at the ready
Matt is an integral part of the East Anglian Site Engineering Ltd team. His commitment, hard work and enthusiasm for his role and this industry make him invaluable to us and our clients.
Our team is made up of expertly skilled professionals, each highly competent in the diverse duties of site engineers. We always deliver a high standard of professionalism and efficiency on every project, ensuring smooth operations with little to no downtime or delays.
If you’re interested in our services, give us call us on 01603 211808 or fill out our simple online form to get in touch.
