We’re back with our Touch base with Team BSE series, this year focusing on our leaders and national team.
Meet Andrew Fraser, our Chief Executive Officer.
Leading BSE for 29 years, from a small Sydney based services consultant to a fixed presence in 5 states/ territories and teams who work regularly all across Australia. Andrew is first and foremost a mechanical engineer with well-established knowledge of all building services, and a passion for sustainable solutions.
1. What is your background story?
There is really 2 parts to this – BSE’s background and my own professional background. To start with the context of my own: I completed a mechanical engineering degree and while studying started as a cadet, then a project manager for a commercial air conditioning provider. From the very beginning I was able to learn the install of systems, be on sites and working with builders.
And I still credit that experience with providing a foundation of buildability for services, it’s the practical implications of an engineer’s work.
After graduating I started as a graduate for a large consultancy, and given my experience the transition was straightforward, I didn’t have the steep learning curve other graduates had of moulding the theoretical knowledge into solutions for clients. Ever since then, I have thoroughly enjoyed providing creative and practical results for clients, it’s incredibly rewarding. Progressing, as engineers do, I completed a Masters of Building Services which provided a thorough mutli-disciplinary focus, something which is so necessary in our offering.
For BSE, myself and family have always been involved in businesses, common dinner table discussions covered approaches that worked, and others that didn’t. With knowledge and support, it was a natural progression of my own career to want to partner and engage with clients in a more direct way. We built relationships with clients and delivered on the scope priorities they had. As organic growth happened, it was a priority keep growing to allow us to provide opportunities to team members to grow. People are the absolute core of consulting. Similarly, our geographic growth was driven by clients wanting to partner with a BSE local team that aligned with our central vision and values. Honestly, there were a couple of false starts and lessons learnt along the way like any business person knows. It took us time and the right person in Cameron Webb to partner with and drive further growth. Our success in Brisbane provided us with confidence to continue into other areas. In the blink of an eye, it’s almost 30 years later!
2. Did you choose engineering, or did it choose you?
I did choose engineering. Growing up with a fundamental passion for all things technical, my plan was always aviation or engineering. So I chose engineering knowing it could provide a foundation to either. And as we talked about earlier – the skills I learnt during the degree and then as a cadet in commercial HVAC provided a clear direction for life after study. Engineering, particularly services, is so practical we interact with it (with or without knowing it), every day at home, the office, throughout life.
I still have a keen interest in aviation, the last few years provided some delays, but it’s a passion on the side.
3. How do you feel services engineers add value to projects?
Services are the practicalities of a space or building. Our skills, our knowledge, our approach - we always act for the client, for their best interest, no hidden agenda other than to provide and support the best solution for the space or building. We’re really focused on the best outcome rather than simply reducing install costs at the expense of operating costs. Our value is making sure our solutions work, they are functional, practical and aren’t obscenely expensive – short and long term.
4. What gets you out of bed in the morning?
New opportunities.
For our business, and the sector more broadly. Change happens so quickly, solutions and requirements are dynamic, there is always something to keep it interesting. What would have worked 10 years ago, doesn’t now.
And my team knows I’m passionate about the electrify everything approach, providing proactive solutions in current designs that make our buildings and spaces as future ready as possible is exciting!
5. Pineapple on pizza: yes or no?
Yes – on the right pizza, ham and pineapple only – not on other types.
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