We’re back with our Touch base with Team BSE series, this year focusing on our leaders and national team.
Meet Godfrey Frederick, our Director - National Strategic Partnerships.
Our master connector, Godfrey focuses on true partnership between BSE, our clients and the industry and is an essential part of our success. Bringing extensive experience from Australian, UK, America and Asia, across technical industries, Godfrey balances enhancing relationships with existing clients and growing BSE in new directions. As a key team member for our recent geographic and technical growth Godfrey works externally and internally in the business and also consistently ranks as one of our top table-tennis players!
1. What is your background story?
It’s a somewhat long story which I’ll attempt to condense. After starting in engineering in the manufacturing sector (controls and metering mostly), I progressed through the ranks and was also able to focus on quality processes in order for the business to gain preferred supplier status.
Overtime my skills moved me towards external roles, where I was able to translate the hyper-technical offering to clients and be the conduit back to our technical teams for continual improvement and new product opportunities. The realisation that I was better at talking about engineering rather than doing actual engineering was a pivotal professional moment. I did this work across UK, Asia and America and, working with tech innovators in Silicon Valley was very much a highlight!
Eventually I found my calling having made the switch to property and construction for a large consulting engineering firm back in the UK and was eventually invited to join the Australian team. This was an adventure that I wanted to explore with my family. I definitely feel that property and construction being a much more social industry, aligns with my skill set in a way research and development technology never really did. I’ll spend the rest of my career in this sector!
2. Did you choose engineering, or did it choose you?
Dad worked in engineering, one brother was an engineer in the British Armed Forces and another brother was a mechanical engineer and tool maker – so I was exposed to it. That probably didn’t translate to a burning passion to be an engineer, but it was a logical start to my working life.
3. How do you feel services engineers add value to projects?
The good ones or the bad ones? Good services engineers provide the fundamentals to make buildings work. Architects have the fun designing fabulous buildings but, services engineers make them functional for work and life. A good services engineer also adds value through good communication, greasing the cogs so to speak. They understand their side of the project, are always willing to help and advise on areas outside the specific scope to impact the overall project. They’ll bring a can-do attitude that provides solutions and get the project complete. It’s a lot of personality and technical skill that the project needs. Good value for prudent fees.
4. What gets you out of bed in the morning?
People! I’m a connector, communicator, networker, so the thought of who I’m meeting today, what conversations am I going to have, what challenges are there for me to help with solutions – either technical or personal. I am not someone who enjoys sitting in front of a computer typing emails. I want to get out and meet people and find out how they tick, and ensure they understand the same of me. Knowing I’m going get out there and meet people and talk to people is exciting (whether that be with coffee or wine!).
5. Pineapple on pizza: yes or no?
Hell no!
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