Then and now: Stuart Miller

In a new feature for Bdaily, Stuart Miller, director of The Civil Engineering Contractors Association North East, reflects on his career, from his first role to the present day, highlighting the lessons he has learned from his personal and professional evolution. 

You are director of The Civil Engineering Contractors Association North East. What does your role entail?

My focus is to try and improve the working lives of civil engineering contracting firms in the North East, whether they are SMEs, regional offices or large multinational companies.

It’s a very enjoyable role, as I have to try and understand many of the big issues in the industry, from careers and skills to clients and procurement, not forgetting health and safety and environmental challenges.

I spend a lot of time talking with member companies to work out what I can do to try and solve, or shine a light on, some of their problems.

We also like to celebrate their success via our annual awards.

Did you always want to work in civil engineering? Or did you have other ambitions when you were growing up?

I found civil engineering by accident, but I'm glad I did.

Before I began my role at the Civil Engineering Contractors Association, someone told me I'd enjoy it because ‘construction is a great sector to do business in, as people are straight talking but helpful’, and that observation was correct.

My first ambition was to be a dentist, before I realised I was no good at chemistry.

What was your first job – and did you enjoy it?

When I graduated from university in Manchester, I secured a job with Hays plc, working in financial recruitment. I loved it.

I was given responsibility and trust from day one, along with a phone and database.

It was a sink or swim type of environment, but I worked with some great colleagues and some fantastic clients. 

Were there any mentors or individuals that helped shape your career? And are you still applying lessons you learned then to your workforce of today?

I can honestly say that I’ve learned something from most of the people I’ve worked with, in senior positions or otherwise.

I’ve blended what I’ve learned with my own style.

The first director I worked for was incredibly calm in potentially stressful situations, which helped me.

What attracted you to the civil engineering sector?

Joining the construction sector was something completely new, and I've always liked to experience a different challenge.

How do you feel you’ve changed as a person over the years? Have career roles brought new dimensions to your personality?

That's probably better answered by someone else, but I'd like to think I'm a better listener than ever, as well as being able to gather a range of views before making a quick judgement.

I've certainly become very passionate about the need for advocating careers in the construction industry, as well as strongly advocating continuous training and upskilling.

You’ve seen many changes to the employment world across your career – how do you see the workplace evolving in years to come?

In our industry, many people will always have to work on-site for obvious reasons, so I don't see a huge shift to working from home for everyone.

However, I think we'll see far greater use of digital technologies in construction, from design to construction management, health and safety and training.

It’s also likely the sector will employ more use of machine learning and the industry as a whole will adapt to the benefits – and challenges – of artificial intelligence.

I still, however, believe the fundamental importance of face-to-face relationships, and the trust they engender, will always be the lifeblood of successful construction projects.

• If you would like to take part in this feature - or Bdaily's other profile platforms - email editor Steven Hugill at steven@bdaily.co.uk

Looking to promote your product/service to SME businesses in your region? Find out how Bdaily can help →