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EXTRACTIVE & INFRASTRUCTURE - MARK ALCOCK OM'74
What is your profession and current position?
My working life covered 2 Careers:
Extractive Industry: I spent 8 years in underground mines in Botswana and Cornwall, followed by 2 years as a Mining Analyst at a Stockbroker.
Project Risk Management: After an interlude working with BOC (now part of Linde) managing sales proposals of Cryogenic Plants, I landed "on my feet" when I joined a new Insurance Risk Consultancy. Put simply I found my “niche”! From this new beginning, I progressed into Project Risk Management on Mega Projects covering the Extractive, Rail, Defence, Power and Nuclear industries.
My career highlight was as Head of Risk for the Central Section of HS2 responsible for the effective management of risk within the project team and main contractors, as well as defining the required level of Contingency and areas of concern in the project plan.
As I write I am retiring after 44 years in work having loved all of my career!
How did Monkton get you ready for the world of work?
Being away from parents taught me to be self-reliant, whilst team sports and the CCF showed me the value of hard work and working as a team.
What is your biggest professional achievement?
Introducing the Clear Expression method of describing Risks, Opportunities and Responses, to facilitate a clear understanding of the nature of the Risk by the identifier, but more importantly to allow those reading it, to achieve the same understanding. I later discovered that HS2 had adopted this discipline.
What has been your most challenging professional moment?
Making the decision to stay in Risk Management rather than return to the Extractive Industry
What inspires and motivates you at work?
Helping others to clearly understand the risks they face, changing attitudes to show that active Management of Risk affects the amount of Grief that will be experienced! Latterly passing on my skills and experience to the next generation.
What is one piece of advice you would like to share with pupils or OMs about getting into your profession?
There is a Truism that everything mankind needs is either Grown or Mined!
The Extractive industry produces what we need materially and more importantly, to transition to a Green economy. Unfortunately, it is very short of all job disciplines from Engineers (all sorts!) to environmentalists, community specialists, project managers and accountants amongst many others!
Risk is present in everything we do and is still a growing Profession. So an industry relevant degree is sufficient to enter the industry of your choice but “getting your feet dirty” is an important prerequisite.