b'16 Member News July 2021Achieving great thingsThe Chartered Engineer managing the finances for BT/EEs technology behind Mobile, Broadband, Voice& TV: Paul Crouch CEng FIET From graduate engineer to Financial Director of Service Platforms atworking with technology. Even though the biggest telecoms company in the UK, Paul Crouch CEng FIET isIve become a Chartered Procurement responsible for 1.2bn every year along with a 5bn balance sheet forSpecialist (FCIPS) and achieved an MBA from Cambridge University, I always had BTs major services in the UK, ranging from 19,000 telephone maststhis yearning that I identified as an engineer. around the country to the technology that provides the 999 service. I felt like an engineer, but had never done anything to allow me to say that I was!Since entering the professional worldI like learning new things and I like having with a placement on BTs graduatean achievable goal at the end of it.programme, Paul has had unlimited opportunities to achieve great things in his career. However, his journey toI looked into CEng with becoming Finance Director (FD) didntencouragement from my CFO, follow the traditional route: My first role was a technical one, Iwhos also CEng and the was very much expecting to pursue anGroup CIO. I believed I had not engineering career because Id completedjust skills, but deliverables that my Microsoft exams at the age of 16, wasdemonstrated I had fulfilled an IT Technician and went on to achieve a Maths and Computing degree, says Paul.the criteria. The application I thought technical was the way forward,process is rigorousdefinitely and thats what I started to do at BT. not a walk in the park! This On my graduate rotation, I got the chanceis not just a certificate or to work in the Support Contracts team, which was the commercial side of all of thePaul Crouch CEng FIETaward that you can just pick vendors that supported our equipment. Iup as a senior person.sensed two things: there were either peopleprocurement, and now an FD role.that were great negotiators but didnt reallyIt might take a little bit ofexplaining understand the technology, or there weresometimes, as not everyone getsIf you havent got everything you need great technicians but were missing theitbut its been brilliant and BT is ato be CEng, it might help inform your point on the commercials. Probably morefantastic company that promotes careernext career decision that will get you a luck than anything else, I found that Iprogression be it linear or non-linear. step closer. Its never too late. If youve was able to do both; I could understandRight now, were very much focussed ongot a particular gap, for example you commercials, enjoyed negotiations,deploying the best 5G network, meetingmight have all the technical skills but and I understood the technology.the UK Governments shifting posturehave never had the opportunity to on security and continuing to providedemonstrate communication skills, then On a career pathway not previouslyoutstanding services such as Halo 3.perhaps you could look for a career move considered, Pauls outside-the- Securing the funding for 5G that allowed usthat would give you this as you need box thinking has helped to inspireto build the best (and first) 5G network inthe softer skills to qualify as CEng as technology innovation, bringingthe UK is a definite highlight of my career. well. Luckily, the IET are here to support together engineering and themembers throughout the process.commercial world and channellingFrom Chartered ManagementI feel achieving CEng has givenhis expertise for the advancementAccountant to Chartered Engineermy CV more credibility. For me to say and benefit of society: (CEng):Chartered Management AccountantMy career path hasnt really been aI always consider myself an engineerand Chartered Engineer, gives more natural progression, says Paul. I feel likebefore an accountant, says Paul. I probablycredence to your experience and toIve zig-zagged my way through differentspent half of my childhood with my headwhat you say - especially within the areas: support contracts, logistics,inside a computer. Ive spent my entire lifetechnical community.If youre ready to find out more about becoming a Chartered Engineer, visit theiet.org/ceng'