How did you start your career with Spirax-Sarco Engineering?
I’m originally from Greece, I moved to the UK to study engineering at Imperial College London. My graduation coincided with Spirax-Sarco Engineering setting up their now award-winning Graduate Development Programme, and I was lucky enough to secure a place in its pilot year.

What do you like most about your job?
I love the variety and challenge of my role. I have plenty of opportunity to think creatively and develop myself in a number of tasks and disciplines. I work in a cross-functional team and interact with people from different cultures with diverse experience, further increasing my opportunity to learn.

How has your role evolved since you joined?
During my time on the Graduate Development Programme, I worked in different parts of the business, this included R&D, Product Design, Manufacturing, Sales and I did a placement in our USA operating company. When I completed the programme, I joined our international emerging markets sales team in a technical support function. I then progressed to a Market Development Executive position, looking after our business in a number of emerging markets.

In 2018, I was given the opportunity to act as general manager of our operations in Kenya on an interim basis.

What has been the proudest moment in your career?
They say pride comes before a fall, but if I may say, the moments that have made me most happy were those where I have received recognition from colleagues more experienced than me, who I respect and have learnt a great deal from.

How would you describe the culture at Spirax-Sarco Engineering?
We are an ethical company that strives to do well, whilst helping to improve the environmental sustainability of the industrial sector. Our global culture is underpinned by our core values, i.e. the safety of our people, focus on our customers, excellence, mutual respect and collaborative spirit, and integrity in our actions. Of course, each business unit and country also have their own micro-cultures, enriching our work life and making it more interesting and livelier.

How much opportunity is there for personal development at Spirax-Sarco Engineering?Spirax-Sarco Engineering is a knowledge-intensive company, so people development is a strategic imperative. It follows that we have numerous opportunities and programs for continuous learning. Combined with the size of the company and international job opportunities, I believe there is significant scope for personal development in Spirax-Sarco Engineering.