Name:
Richard Knight
Job title: Project Manager/Consultant
Qualifications: BSc Computer Science, MSc Operation Management,
Prince2 Practitioner
Getting there: I’ve pretty much worked through the ranks
from helpdesk, system administrator to operation manager. It’s a good
way of gaining experience in all the roles that make up the overall service
and even if it seems mundane at times, I think you always get a perspective
from each department that will help you later.
Best bits: I must admit regardless of all the time in airports
and time away from home the travel has been good fun. My wife and I relocated
to London before we had family and I spent a year working for Sky TV. We loved
getting to know London and had an amazing time. More recently, I was on an assignment
in the States with some colleagues I worked with years ago. We often asked ourselves
“how did we end up working in New York from Westhill?” Anything
seemed possible after that. I think most people are happier when you’re
past the planning stage and building something together. I really enjoy that
stage when the momentum’s up and things start falling into place. That’s
the appeal of project working for me.
Worst bits: As I’m sure a lot of people in the oil and
gas industry know, being away from your children when they are young isn’t
the best but there have been times where my family have been able to travel
with me and that’s been great. Prosource.it has been good to me in that
respect and I’m enjoying being back in Aberdeen at the moment for my second
daughter's early years.
Claim to fame: I was presented with a Rolex watch at Christmas
“to celebrate 10 years working together” from Prosource.it. I didn’t
see that coming – it was a generous gesture that I am proud of and not
something that’s done in companies often these days. Having been in the
company from the early days, I have worked within the hub of most of our client
base and have been part of a host of innovative and exciting projects. Spending
time with clients from different industries, from media to confectionery and
energy has kept things fresh and my Operations Management studies have always
kept me interested in how people go about their business.
Advice to others: Trust your own intuition and don’t
listen to negative chat.