Career Path: Ben Pritchard

Ben Pritchard is a consultant specialising in commercial management, procurement and collaborative working at Invennt.

Jackie Whitelaw
28 April 2015

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Why did you decide to go into infrastructure?

Mainly by accident! ’ve always had an affinity towards the construction industry, not just because of my love of Lego and Meccano growing up, but also as my family run a small construction company that’s been going for over 100 years now. So construction is in the blood!;When I was considering moving away from the North Wales getting involved in Infrastructure was always a big draw. It’s an exciting part of the industry with a lot happening in London and across the UK. Being involved in infrastructure is exciting and gives you a real buzz about coming to work every day.

What did you study? How did that lead to this career?

I completed A levels in Maths, Physics, Business Studies and Economics before moving on to a degree in Economics and finance at York University. Truth be told my degree isn’t overly relevant to what I do now however it gave me an excellent base and a different viewpoint that I find invaluable at times. As well as being good with numbers which is always helpful, it has helped influence and shape me into a well-rounded individual that can take a step back and look at the big picture.

Who was your first employer and why?

My first job following University was Magnox Ltd in the Nuclear Decommissioning Sector. I was lucky enough during my time at university to secure some summer work within the commercial team at Trawsfynydd Power Station and I must have done something right during that placement as I was offered a job to come back to at the end of my degree.

Brief CV since

I spent nine years with Magnox taking a variety of roles within their commercial department. initially looking at commercial improvements I moved to support the business strategy team who were looking to develop a better way of delivering our portfolio of work. Once this was done we needed some supply chain partners to do it so I started procuring and managing long term frameworks for a variety of disciplines.

Did you have a career plan? How has reality panned out against that plan?

No! But I’ve been lucky enough to find some exciting opportunities throughout my career that I’ve grasped with both hands and they’ve worked out well for me so far! The reality is probably better with my involvement in Constructing Excellence as Co-chair of G4C giving me real opportunity to influence and be involved in shaping the future of the industry which is something that I would never have planned for, certainly not this early in my career.

What is special about where you are?

I’ve only recently joined Invennt but I’m really excited about the opportunities that are here for me. Invennt are providing a platform where I will really be able to drive forward with the message that there is a better way to procure, a better way to engage with the supply chain and a better way to ensure value is gained from your assets.

Describe your job

Invennt offers support to clients, main contractors, through to component suppliers on a range of issues predominantly, business strategy, strategic marketing, supplier engagement and collaboration. My role will primarily be to show you how you take all that into account during the procurement process, showing you how you can set up a project for success at the start of the process.

What is exciting?

The variety and potential to make a difference to a large part of the industry.

Who has had the most influence over your career and why?

No one individual stands out but I’ve been lucky to have friends, family and colleagues on hand that I’ve been able to talk through any cross roads that I have come across.

What about work gets you interested, keeps you interested?

Variety, challenges, making a difference. I think this is why I’m well suited to a life in consultancy where every day can offer a new customer, a new challenge and a new solution.

What can employers offer to make you most happy in your career?

Opportunity…..Working for an employer that gives you opportunity to grow, to learn, to progress, to take on new challenges to push yourself is important. The key is that they then also support you in that growth.

What advice would you give your younger self?

Don’t doubt yourself and have confidence in your opinion if you think there is something wrong or that something could be improved. Ask those questions that need asking to help grow your understanding of what’s going on but also to challenge the status quo.

What is the one thing you have done that has been fundamental to your career?

Joining G4C has had a massive influence on my career. It has really helped to keep me abreast of the latest innovations within the industry but has also helped me create a support network with like minded individuals that will be of great benefit to me throughout my career.

What is the best thing so far in your career?

Joining Invennt is a recent highlight but also while at Magnox we won or were highly commended for a couple of client of the year awards that recognised all the great work we were doing at the time. It was a great feeling to accept the award as recognition of all the hard work we’d done.