We caught up with Engineer Surveyor of the Year, Mike Ford to find out about more about him and his role with Allianz Engineering, Construction & Power.
How long have you worked at Allianz?
I have been at Allianz since 2013, the time has flown by.
How did you get into Engineering?
I’ve been interested in Engineering since a young age and that hasn’t changed to this day. I was fortunate to have attended a technology college that was very supportive of STEM subjects such as maths, science and engineering, which were all subjects that I enjoyed. Having grown up in an Army family my career path was fairly laid out, so I joined the Corps of Royal Engineers working on heavy construction plant. Working on these vehicles created the foundations for the career I have today.
What is a 'normal' day like for you?
As an Engineer Surveyor no two days are the same. One day I could be in lift shafts and then the next descending the side of a building in a maintenance unit. You definitely need a head for heights in my role.
Are there any 'stand out' buildings that you’ve inspected?
Not long after I started, I was already working on wide range of venues such as a London art gallery and UK safari park. I also met comedian John Bishop at his agents office after just finishing the lift examination... I was pleased to say that there were no issues after John entered the lift, I didn’t fancy being on the receiving end of his jokes! I currently examine equipment for some of the world’s best known names in technology.
How does it feel to be awarded with this accolade?
I was honoured just to be nominated but to receive the award is fantastic. Its a great achievement to be recognised as we are lone workers and seldom see another colleague on a daily basis unless we have arranged to work together.
Where do you see your career going?
I’m currently studying an integrated masters as I am always looking to further my knowledge in various aspects of engineering. I would like to move into operations or technical standards if the opportunity arose.
What piece of advice would you give to somebody wanting to work in engineering?
Use all of your senses. If it looks wrong, sounds wrong and your gut instinct feels wrong, then it probably is wrong. Have the ability to adapt - Engineering is constantly evolving and to keep current we must evolve.
The information contained in this press release relates to Allianz Insurance plc. Allianz Insurance plc is one of the largest general insurers in the UK and part of the Allianz Group.
About Allianz Holdings plc
Allianz Holdings plc is the non-regulated holding company which owns the principal insurance operations of Allianz SE in Great Britain.
About Allianz
The Allianz Group is one of the world's leading insurers and asset managers with more than 100 million* private and corporate customers in more than 70 countries. Allianz customers benefit from a broad range of personal and corporate insurance services, ranging from property, life and health insurance to assistance services to credit insurance and global business insurance. Allianz is one of the world’s largest investors, managing 790 billion euros on behalf of its insurance customers. Furthermore, our asset managers PIMCO and Allianz Global Investors manage 1.7 trillion euros of third-party assets. Thanks to our systematic integration of ecological and social criteria in our business processes and investment decisions, we are amongst the leaders in the insurance industry in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index. In 2021, over 150,000 employees achieved total revenues of 148.5 billion euros and an operating profit of 13.4 billion euros for the group.
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This document includes forward-looking statements, such as prospects or expectations, that are based on management's current views and assumptions and subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Actual results, performance figures, or events may differ significantly from those expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements. Deviations may arise due to changes in factors including, but not limited to, the following: (i) the general economic and competitive situation in the Allianz Group's core business and core markets, (ii) the performance of financial markets (in particular market volatility, liquidity, and credit events), (iii) the frequency and severity of insured loss events, including those resulting from natural catastrophes, and the development of loss expenses, (iv) mortality and morbidity levels and trends, (v) persistency levels, (vi) particularly in the banking business, the extent of credit defaults, (vii) interest rate levels, (viii) currency exchange rates, most notably the EUR/USD exchange rate, (ix) changes in laws and regulations, including tax regulations, (x) the impact of acquisitions including and related integration issues and reorganization measures, and (xi) the general competitive conditions that, in each individual case, apply at a local, regional, national, and/or global level. Many of these changes can be exacerbated by terrorist activities.
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