Q&A with Harry Ingle Programme Manager

At BCW Group we encourage developments and progression within the company.  A few months ago, we celebrated the promotion of Harry, into the role as Programme Manager.  We thought it was a great idea to see how he was progressing now he is a few months into the role.

Interview with:

Harry Ingle – Programme Manger

Jen Whittaker – Marketing Manger

1. Talk to me about your time at BCW

• Answer: I’ve worked at BCW since August 2022 and thoroughly enjoy working here. We have a fantastic team and have a valuable input into key projects with large automotive OEM’s. I started as a project engineer and have recently moved into Programme management, manging projects centrally within the business.

2. Have you always worked in Engineering

• Answer: I started in Engineering straight from school in 2012, having served my time as an engineering apprentice, I’d been out of the sector for a couple of years but glad to be back in a manufacturing environment.

3. What have been the most surprising challenges you've encountered in your new role as a programme manager?

• Answer: I wouldn’t say anything has surprised me as such, but we are working on an enormous project at the moment with a global OEM within the automotive industry for the development of their electrification programme, which is exciting.

4. Can you share any key insights or lessons you've learned during your first three months in this position?

• Answer: I am always learning; this is probably what I enjoy most about my role. Having an involvement over the whole programme provides me with insight into each function and how it supports the main objective. This is invaluable as I embed myself into the role.

5. How do you prioritise tasks and projects now compared to when you were in your previous role? 

• Answer: This hasn’t changed since my previous role of Project Engineer, the list has just grown somewhat, it is about allocating time and resources in an efficient manner and using smoothing/levelling tools to support task allocation. Due to the nature of the automotive industry, priorities can change daily, this is a challenge for sure, but a challenge I embrace and certainly ensures there is never a dull day.

6. Looking ahead, what do you see as the biggest opportunities for growth and development within your program engineering team?

• Answer: My goal for the department is to grow and develop a team to co-ordinate and manage all projects & programmes within the business, refining our processes and striving to continuously improve how we operate to increase productivity and efficiency. We have recently promoted Suhan, a machine operator at BCW, who will join the Programme Management team in May as a Project CAD Engineer, supporting the team whilst developing his own skillset. I look forward to working with Suhan and seeing him grow within the role.

Watch this space for a future interview with Suhan.

We followed up the interview with comments from Chris Prior, Managing Director BCW Engineering who supported Harry’s promotion and went on to say, “Harry joined the BCW Engineering Leadership Team (ELT) in January as the Programme Manager for a newly formed department, one which was felt to be missing in the structure at the time. He has brought an immediate impact in terms of timely decision making, communication and his own out of the box thinking. Never shy to challenge the status Quo or agree for the sake of agreement he brings an ability to question that we are getting the right things done on time and to budget whilst being extremely customer focused in his approach. Well done Harry – keep up the good work.”