About Jim Rudd
I am the Head of Civil Engineering for Superstructures, a consulting civil and structural engineering company based in Ipswich. I have over 40 years’ experience working in the industry and have held various roles. This has meant that I have been involved in all aspects of engineering, although I have a particular focus on the infrastructure engineering associated with new housing developments.
We asked Jim to look back and reflect on his younger self…
Q&As
How would you describe yourself at 18?
The Falklands War had just ended and, with unemployment at a record three million, the country was in a period of uncertainty. I was just finishing a year-long Youth Training Scheme with Anglian Water as a Trainee Surveyor, and about to join a consulting engineers based in Colchester. I was also taking an interest in early computers and spent my time listening to the original 80s music – before it was popular – and driving my Ford Cortina. I was excited about discovering what the world of construction had in store for me.
What inspired you to join Superstructures to head up a new in-house discipline for the business?
I have been aware of Superstructures since it started in 2011, and over the years I have worked alongside them providing complementary services. So, it was a natural migration for me when the opportunity presented itself, to join forces and bring civil engineering alongside the well-established structural core of the business. Superstructures has always been very forward thinking, with regards to embodied carbon savings and carbon calculations, and the move gives myself and my team the opportunity to incorporate this knowledge into our civil engineering design. In addition, it allows the structural and civil engineering teams to gain an understanding of each other’s roles, which will be beneficial to the individuals throughout their careers.
If you could go back knowing what you know now, what three things would you tell yourself to do when you first started out in your career?
- Pass on your knowledge. The sooner someone else knows how to do your job, the sooner you can progress to the next level.
- Learn to say no when required but continue to be helpful. People will warm to you if you are able to assist them – although don’t try to do everything yourself.
- Listen to the old folk in the office. One day you will be one of them!
What are the biggest lessons you have learnt professionally?
Just because you can do it quicker and better doesn’t mean you should. Instead, you should teach others to do it to the same high standard. You need to step away from what has made you successful and change your mindset from working in the business, to working on the business.
How did you deal with a big mistake, and what did you learn from the experience?
Don’t employ someone if you are not sure. Wait for the right person and you can avoid costly mistakes further down the road.
What are your ambitions for the future, both personally and professionally?
Personally: developing more consistency with my clay pigeon shooting.
Professionally: I want to grow the civils team within Superstructures and play my part in achieving the vision for the company.
