Meet Terry Ricketts
Terry Ricketts, VolkerRail’s OLE discipline lead on the Transpennine Route East (TRU) East Alliance, has just celebrated his twentieth year with VolkerRail.
Over the past twenty years, Terry has worked within every part of the business, undertaking a variety of roles. Today, Terry is a part of VolkerRail Major Projects, delivering the overhead line electrification (OLE) works on the TRU East Upgrade project.
When did you join VolkerRail?
I joined back in 2003, following 24 years with the Royal Engineers. My first role was as a health, safety, quality and environmental (HSQE) manager within the company’s metro and rail department, working on Nottingham Tram. Although I was already a safety and environmental professional, the company offered me an opportunity into a new environment, and thought I had nothing to lose.
Tell us about your current role
I work as the OLE discipline lead for TRU East Alliance, where I am responsible for the projects programme, employee health and safety, and relevant costs.
As a manager, I’m also involved in developing my team, ensuring they meet project delivery and reporting, as well as driving the positive behaviours set out by the Alliance’s senior leadership team.
Tell us about a career highlight
There are so many. When I first joined the OLE team back in 2003, it had failed its HSQE audits for ISO. I only had three months to re-write procedures and brief and train 100 employees to make sure we passed the next audit. If we didn’t, we would become a non-operational business - we passed.
I’ve had the opportunity to be involved in training and development, and have helped to re-write many of VolkerRail’s electrification procedures. On top of that, there is of course the projects I’ve worked on.
There are also quite a few colleagues and friends that have been with me throughout my career. We have been through so much together, but despite working in differing areas within the business, we still support each other when needed.
What made you stay with VolkerRail for twenty years?
The reason why I’ve stayed for two decades is because of my colleagues and VolkerRail’s support, trust, and vision in me. This, coupled with the variety of roles that I have undertaken, always ensured a fresh outlook and new challenges.
I am also empowered to make and influence process developments, and have had the opportunity to positively impact the way VolkerRail delivers its projects safely, efficiently, and in a timely manner. VolkerRail is a well-managed business, with a great future ahead.