Spotlight on…

You’ve had a long and successful career at Phillips 66 Limited. Walk us through the highlights.

I started my career as a financial accountant. Little did I know that 34 years down the line I’d be retiring as a supply manager and with so many different job titles under my belt. There are few sides of the business I haven’t seen!

My first position was in the Leeds office of Du Pont, the company that used to own Conoco (before the Phillips 66 merger), which involved spending a fair bit of time in Frankfurt. My next step would be as a Business Information and Optimisation (BIO) Analyst for Aviation and Marine. It’s where I first discovered my love of cutting a deal – I was introduced to the art of negotiation as part of the role – and I also learned a great deal about the Marine and Aviation industries, which I still use to this day.

Over the years, I’ve moved/been poached for various roles, from supply operations to strategy and planning, and even a stint in sales. It’s given me a good insight into wide-ranging aspects of the business, and I’ve worked all over the UK. Fortunately, the job I’ve enjoyed most is the one I’m retiring with. Supply management has been my bread and butter for just under 11 years now. In the role, I’ve connected with so many different people and made enduring relationships. One thing I’m most known for in the office is going out for a working lunch – some conversations are best had over a meal. I’ve enjoyed the variety and can safely say, I don’t regret a thing!

What’s the one piece of advice you would give to someone joining the company today?

Don’t underestimate the power of networking. I was told to do it when I was younger and I didn’t believe them. Meeting a broad range of people has helped me progress in the company and taught me important life lessons. It’ll help you understand the business, meet interesting people and give you a breadth of experience that will be invaluable to your career.

What will you miss most?

The people. I’ve spent years building networks and fostering strong relationships. Some I’ve only known for a year or two – others for 30! One colleague at Whitegate introduced me to my favourite band (Interpol)! I’m going to continue to nurture my connections after I leave.

Tell us about a unique moment/favourite memory.

If I had to pick one, it would be in 1995 when I was involved in the first deal (of many) for the Marine business with a barge company. The conversation went something along the lines of – they wanted X, we wanted Y… I suggested an offer that incentivised both parties to our mutual benefit. The arrangement paid off for us financially and it will forever be my first major negotiation that paved the way for many more in my career. It became a part of the job I most enjoyed and excelled at. Learning the mechanics of how to negotiate was an important stepping stone and led to my move from BIO to supply – I was hired by the Conoco Manager I’d negotiated the Marine deal with.

What has been your greatest career challenge and/or highlight?

My greatest challenge? Resoundingly, IT! Computers and I don’t have a history of getting along very well. I try my best, but I do find it frustrating sometimes. This was put to the test during our SAP software upgrade nearly 25 years ago. As the millennium beckoned, many people were worried about the changes that might occur as we moved into a digital world. Things were fine in the end, of course, but it wasn’t easy.

A highlight has been seeing the people I’ve managed grow, develop, and move on to bigger and better things. I’ve really enjoyed being a manager. Of course, there are elements I don’t like as much, but overall, it’s been great. One employee was recruited by the Houston office, another moved into trading – something he’d always wanted to do, and my successor has worked for me in three different roles before his promotion. I try not to micro-manage or limit my staff. It’s best to stand back to allow them to do what they need to do to flourish… with one hand on the tiller!

What is the first thing you’d like to do upon retirement and what are you most looking forward to?

The first thing I’d like to focus on is losing weight. I blame all those work lunches! Beyond that, I’m planning a tour of South East Asia. My youngest daughter recently visited Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, the Philippines, Bali and Nepal, and has some brilliant recommendations. Albeit we’ll be staying in 5* hotels, not hostels like our daughter.

Beyond trips abroad and after seven years of travelling between my house in Solihull and London, I’m very much looking forward to spending more time at home with my wife. Plus seeing more of my daughters. I’ll still have the flat in London for the day trips to see folks. There are already 4 lunches in the diary for after retirement. I can’t wait.