Will Warner

What is your role at Ricardo?
My role at Ricardo includes directing projects, developing and managing people and key clients and being a member of the senior leadership team within our UK Water Team.  

What does your average day at Ricardo look like?
Though there is a degree of structure to my week, every day is different and a combination of planned and reactive activities which makes my job really interesting. Key activities focus on a wide range of things including people management, client engagement, project direction, business development and bidding for new opportunities. A big part of my role involves getting the best out of people, including working with partners and encouraging and supporting our staff. I work from home much of the time using video conferencing, but importantly there is the chance to interact face-to-face with colleagues in our offices.   

What do you look forward to at work?
My team has grown significantly and I really enjoy seeing new people come in to the business and our existing people evolve and develop. This includes supporting them through career development, taking on new responsibilities and gaining promotion. Another aspect I really enjoy is developing partnerships and winning new work. 

What do you find most rewarding at work?/Are you proud to work at Ricardo?
Our breadth of technical capability never ceases to amaze me and it is such a people focused and positive organisation. This makes it both fun and solution focused, where together we achieve great things. The positive work environment is supported by a strong HR team and an excellent wellbeing programme. 

What was you or your team’s latest achievement and how was it celebrated?
There are many achievements that I am really proud of, including securing and delivering on very sizeable long-term water resource related infrastructure contracts. These include multi-million pound strategic resource option projects, which are driving greater availability and distribution of water in response to population increase and climate change.  

How have you developed your career at Ricardo? 
I came on board as an experienced manager but since joining have benefited from being involved in two exciting leadership training programmes, including a mini-MBA style residential course. In turn these have helped me to realise new opportunities, including developing strategies and plans to grow our water and environment business. 

How do you support career development opportunities for your team?
I work collaboratively with my team leaders to agree objectives and develop our staff, both professionally and personally. Ensuring that our staff have exciting careers and opportunities to develop is of central importance and we do this through collaborative development planning, training and promotion. 

What do you most enjoy about working with your team?
Seeing team members evolve and take on more responsibility is fantastically rewarding. We really try to give people the space, time and support to stretch themselves. I also enjoy the fantastic sense of humour that pervades and everyone’s willingness to pull together and achieve great things!

What opportunities do you have at Ricardo to share your knowledge or expertise?
As an experienced operational and client manager, I frequently coach and advise others on how to overcome difficult situations and challenges. This can include helping assess options and encourage individuals to determine the best possible way forward. I also provide insight into the water sector from a client’s perspective. 

What advice would you give to anyone considering a career like yours?
I would encourage anyone considering a role like mine to push hard to achieve, take on responsibility and keep learning. Being people focused and getting the best out of those around you helps too. Whatever the role in Ricardo it is a great place to work and develop your career.