Direct from our directors: Andy Leask

It’s back. ‘Direct from our directors’ returns with Andy Leask, co-founder of Rodgers Leask, in the hot seat.

A Chartered Engineer, Fellow of both the Institution of Civil Engineers and Institution of Structural Engineers, a Chartered Director and Fellow of the Institute of Directors, Andy’s outstanding contribution to civil engineering was recognised in 2020 when he received the William Kemp Award.

Since co-founding Rodgers Leask with John Rodgers in 1984, Andy’s role within the business has developed and he now represents us in an ambassadorial role, helping to raise our profile within the construction industry. In addition to providing third party review services on challenging projects such Hinkley Point C, Andy mentors our younger engineers – acting as one of our supervising civil engineers in the graduate training scheme.

Why did you choose a career in engineering?

My interest in construction and civil engineering began in Edinburgh. My dad was from Edinburgh, and we used to spend all our school holidays there. I used to go and sit with my family and watch them building the first road bridge over the Firth of Forth and I just loved it.

What are you most proud of in your career to date?

The project I’m most proud of would be the Great Western Hotel at Paddington Station. It had the hand of Brunel on it and that connection to Brunel, such a famous engineer globally, is fantastic.

What has been the biggest challenge of your career to date?

My biggest challenge wasn’t an engineering challenge, it was financial. In 2008 we lost 25% of our order book immediately and 50% within a month. We had to act quickly and be agile, finding ways of coping and keeping the business going. Fortunately, we did, we succeeded and we’re still here.

What keeps you excited about the engineering industry?

Civil engineering is exciting. It’s an industry that’s interesting and we can see what we’ve done. So go for innovation, push the limits. Don’t just sit back and assume that what we’ve always done is the best way. Look for new ways and use your imagination.

What’s your favourite book and film?

My favourite book, this is really sad, is the Civil Engineers Handbook from 1895, which my son bought me, and I really treasure it. My favourite film is The Bodyguard.

What is the best piece of advice you have received?

The best advice I’ve had in my career came from Lord Bilimoria. He was the founder of Cobra Beer, and he said to me, you’ve got to train your people to be the best they can be. They might leave, but if you don’t train them, they might stay. Which is worse?

Is there anything you wish you knew or participated in at the start of your career?

I’m naturally a shy person and I wish I had embraced coaching and mentoring for myself and other people at an earlier age because I think I missed out on a bit and I could have developed quicker. So, I want younger engineers to recognise that and get on board with mentoring as soon as possible.

What is the single best change you have seen throughout your career?

The biggest changes I’ve seen in my career have been around digital. When I first started, a site engineer would spend two days with a seven-figure log table just to do a day’s setting out. Now, one man can do it on his own, it’s all transferred digitally. And with computer design, we did everything with slide rules and log tables in the early days and it’s so different now.

What do you think your best quality is?

I feel my best quality is to be able to do the big picture. I can see a problem and I can see the answer. I’m not a particularly detailed person; I don’t want to do the stuff in between. I can coach somebody else how to do it, but I just want to do the big picture.

What do you do in your spare time?

My spare time is spent playing badminton and golf and making things. I love making things, particularly with wood – like wooden toys and bigger things. I get so much satisfaction and its therapy for me.

What three items are you taking to a deserted island?

I’d like to take an axe, a book on how to survive on a desert island and a telescope.

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