Emerging Leader Programme + Q&A with Alan Ross

Our Emerging Leaders have just completed their first Focus Area on Developing Self and Others!

Developed by our Talent & Leadership Partners, Ashley Baxter and Marc Muir, the session focused on developing fundamental leadership skills, and explored how we drive personal effectiveness and lead high performing teams.

The session took place at Ross County Football Club where Steven Ferguson, Chief Executive Officer, and Malky Mackay, First Team Manager, embraced their purpose of being "more than just a football club". Steven and Malky set time aside to meet with our Emerging Leaders and shared their leadership journeys and key motivation insights.

Session Feedback

Session feedback from some of our Emerging Leaders;

"Ferg was excellent, very engaging and have a great insight into leadership. Module went really quick as it was interesting and engaging."

"Engaging delivery as always. Interesting session with Malky. Good engagement for each topic."

"Mark is very engaging and covers topics well. Safe space to ask questions. No silly questions."

"Interaction. All the activities make understanding the material easier."

"Great problem solving practical exercise with the whole group."

Q&A With Emerging Leader, Alan Ross

Tell us about you… what’s your work history to date?

"My name is Alan Ross and I’m currently a Lead Draughtsman within the drawing office at North Fab, based at The Port of Nigg. I have been in this position for over 11 years."

"Although I have only recently moved to the Nigg office, from Evanton, I am quite familiar with the Nigg layout as I came through the old Hi-Fab youth training scheme in the early 1990’s, which involved working in a variety of departments gaining knowledge of all aspects of the fabrication industry before settling to finish my apprenticeship in the drawing office. I continued working at Hi-Fab until 2000, which also included secondments to the design offices in both London and Houston."

"Due to the downturn in the oil industry, the next couple of years saw few opportunities locally, and having a young family at the time I chose not to travel away from home, I got work with the Highland Council helping with burials and general maintenance of local cemeteries. But in 2003 there was an opportunity to join the small team at Isleburn in Evanton as a draughtsman. After Global took over a few years later, the company and drawing office grew in size and I moved to being a Lead Draughtsman within the office."

Who or what inspired you to peruse the career you have today?

"I enjoyed Technical drawing in school, and my teacher – Davie Bremner – also happened to be my guidance teacher, he gave me a lot of encouragement to take it up as a career. I’ve bumped into him many times since leaving school and he’s always asking how I’m getting on."

Can you provide details of a professional accomplishment in the group that you are proud of?

"As a company we have worked on a number of projects that have had large and complex control tubing layouts and configurations. Over the years we have gained vast experience and established a set of company standards and welding techniques, whereby we can now advise and guide our clients on the best practice when laying out their designs."

What inspires you, and do you have any personal goals that you are hoping to achieve?

"I’m always looking to expand my knowledge and love to travel. I’ve completed several Open University courses on things like photography, Weather and Geology/Volcanoes and managed to combine these with travel. Along with my wife we’ve been lucky to photograph the Northern Lights in the Artic circle, visit an Erupting volcano in La Palma and see the “Big 5” walk the plains of the Massai Mara. Our long term aim is to visit all European Countries, and we’re just over half way there."

What motivates and energises you at work?

"I enjoy working within a team and being involved with projects from the early stages right through to their completion. I particularly enjoy the final load out when everything has finally come together, the structures are complete and handed over safely to our clients."

Which of our Core Values means the most to you and why?

"Integrity and Respect – I’m a firm believer that you should treat others in a way that you expect to be treated."