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Nikki Barker CEng MIMechE MIGEM

CASE STUDY

Education and qualifications: BEng Engineering Science


and Industrial Management, Liverpool University
Which Institution(s) are you a member of? Institution of
Mechanical Engineers (IMechE), Institution of Gas
Engineers and Manager (IGEM)
Current job title: Director and Engineering Consultant
Company: Redacre Consulting Ltd and Associate of
Perspectiv LLP
Length in current job: 3 years
Where are you based? Outside Warrington

Please describe your current role:


I currently run my own engineering consultancy providing
technical advice and training in the gas industry.
Please provide a brief outline of your career so far:
My career in the gas industry began nearly 20 years ago
at Eastern Sector Gas Supplies (BGNW) when I was
awarded a scholarship from British Gas North Western for
the last two years of my degree at Liverpool University.
I initially worked on high pressure gas transmission and
regional transmission pipelines before moving into
engineering strategy in the mid-nineties, becoming
involved with technical policy and procedure writing, whilst
also acting as technical secretariat to the company
committee that approved engineering documentation.
In 2000, following the restructuring of the gas industry, I
was one of a large number of engineers that was
transferred to Advantica to provide engineering advice
and expertise to the wider gas industry.
However, my career with Advantica ended in 2008 when I
was made redundant from the role as account manager
responsible for one of the UKs gas networks. After taking
a little time out, I went on to set up Redacre Consulting
Ltd in 2009 and have been providing technical
consultancy and training to the gas industry ever since.
I am also an Associate of Perspectiv LLP, a research,
consulting and training company, specialising in the use of
creative problem solving, strategy, lean leadership and
team development methodologies to help individuals,
groups and organisations innovate, change and grow.
Have you worked on any unusual or high profile
projects?
I was part of a small team that prepared the Transco
Engineering Requirements Manual in the late nineties
that was distributed to the whole company.

Created August 2012

What attracted you to become registered as a CEng?


From the day I gained my engineering degree, my aim
was to become professionally registered as a Chartered
Engineer, the status and responsibility that came with
professional registration was a key driver for me.
However, given the changes that were taking place in the
industry early on in my career, this took me a little longer
than I would have liked, but I got there eventually.
How did you become registered as a CEng?
Whilst working for BGNW and Transco Manchester
District, I followed the IMechEs Monitored Professional
Development Scheme (MPDS) which meant that I had a
structured pathway that would lead to an application for
registration at the end of it. My manager at the time
actively encouraged me to get involved in work and
projects that would prove my engineering capability and
my mentor supported me throughout the whole process. I
became registered as a CEng and was awarded full
membership of IMechE in May 1998. I joined IGEM two
years later when I was providing technical support for a
project to get Transcos Graduate Development Scheme
accredited by both institutions.

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CASE STUDY
How has professional registration as a CEng
benefitted your career?
Certain roles I have held over the years have required me
to be a CEng. Now I am consulting, being professionally
registered as a CEng, means I can work at a higher pay
scale and on projects where clients require the consulting
capability of people that are at the top of their profession.
Networking with people in both IGEM and IMechE has led
to various projects over the last three years. I have also
been able to get an article published in IGEMs magazine,
which has helped raise the profile of what I am now doing.
What advice would you give someone considering
professional registration as a CEng?
I believe that all engineers and technicians should be
professionally registered as EngTech, IEng or CEng as it
can only enhance the overall status of our profession. I
would encourage any potential registrants to find out the
requirements as soon as they can; start keeping a record
of work they have done, projects they have been involved
in and responsibilities they have had. This can be used
as evidence when you put in your application. The
support of a good mentor is hugely beneficial but if you
dont know anyone to act as your mentor, your
institution(s) can help you find one. Aim high.
Engineering is a fantastic profession that needs
passionate people to become engaged in it. Finally, do
your bit and give something back by encouraging others
to become engaged in engineering; get involved with your
institution, become a STEM ambassador, help in school
etc. And always talk positively about what you do.

What is your employers attitude towards professional


registration?
As I run my own consultancy, I would say it has a very
positive attitude as it is my attitude! Having said that,
when I applied for CEng registration, I was employed by a
company that also viewed professional registration
positively.
Were they supportive while you were working towards
professional registration as a CEng?
When I became registered, my company at the time
encouraged employees to become members of their
relevant Institution and even paid for membership of their
second Institution. My mentor and manager were also
extremely supportive.
Do you hold any other academic/professional
qualifications?
I am a registered VIEW assessor - VIEW is a tool that
measures a persons problem solving preferences - and
trained auditor.
What are your future goals?
My aim is to continue with my engineering consultancy
whilst I develop my skills in facilitative leadership and
creative problem solving. I would like to use these skills
throughout the engineering field to aid companies when
innovating, problem solving, developing strategies,
developing high performance teams, etc.
Nikki Barker CEng MIMechE MIGEM
Registered 1998

Created August 2012

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