ICI

Steve Hawes
Product Design & Manufacturing Engineering, Loughborough University
Joined ICI Paints: 2006
Currently a Operations Engineer in Paints UK

Where did you first hear about a graduate career with ICI?
Graduate recruitment website

How would you sum up ICI?
Looking to grow, expand and improve

What have your experiences been to date?
Managing projects, implementing change

What have your training experiences entailed?
To date, I have attended one of the European Graduate Development Programme modules - the ICI World Forum. This was an excellent networking event where I got to meet other graduates from around the world that had recently joined ICI.

In addition, a number of senior managers attended the event to talk about the current vision and direction of ICI. I certainly learnt a lot from this conference. Since joining ICI, I have also attended a Project Management course which has been really useful in my day to day job.

What are the main challenges you have faced and how have you overcome them?
Gaining respect from more experienced peers by proving my capability and earning respect through my actions.

What have been the most and least satisfying challenges to date?
Most: Leading a team of engineers when overhauling a key line over the course of four days, and getting it working again on time!

Least: Tackling a computer systems implementation, which went horribly wrong, and working with the supplier whose program it was to get everything fixed as soon as possible, to placate the many users!

What do you like and dislike about your role/working for ICI?
I like the responsibility, and the fact that you are given the opportunity to do major things early on. I dislike the need to micromanage when dealing with suppliers/contractors, but that is just something you learn is necessary to meet targets and to get things done.

What are your interests away from work?
I like going to the gym, football, triathlon, cars, films, going out

Has ICI helped you pursue your interests?
Yes, so far it definitely has.

What's next for you?
Possibly a cross-functional move to marketing for a bit, or trying out some planning

What are the next steps in your career at ICI?
As above, followed hopefully by shift, line, production, site and further management

Can ICI help you achieve your goals?
I believe so.