We are delighted to welcome Craig Rides as a Senior Project Manager, bringing extensive experience in project delivery, installation and testing.

Working as part of the Design & Build team, Craig leads the delivery of projects from pre-sales through to completion, ensuring technically robust solutions and strong commercial outcomes.

Craig also provides expert input into bids and tenders, as well as driving programme, quality and financial performance, collaborating closely with internal teams and client stakeholders.

To help you get to know Craig better, we asked some of our traditional ‘icebreaker’ questions about himself and life away from work…

What motivates you?
Being part of a team & seeing a design develop to the point of successful delivery.

What’s the coolest or most interesting thing you’ve ever worked on?
Project Managing the delivery of a Containerised Modular Datacentre (CMDC) on Saint Helena. For context, Saint Helena is one of the most remote locations in the world, in the middle of the South Atlantic Ocean, 1,200 miles off the west coast of Africa. One flight in and out per week with a high risk of flight cancellations due to high winds!

What’s the best professional advice you’ve ever received?
Make sure that you have a healthy work-life balance.

What is your favourite motivational or inspirational quote?
Having a sense of humour makes it a lot easier to manage people.

What’s your favourite sport you love to play?
American Football. Too old to play now but played from the age of 14 to 23. Have supported the Chicago Bears since 1985 through their highs (not many) & lows (too numerous!).

If you could have an unlimited supply of one thing, what would it be?
Dairy Milk (what can I say, I have a sweet tooth!).

If you could meet any historical figure or famous person, who would they be?
Joe Bonamassa (if you know you know) to teach me how to play the guitar properly!!

What three items would you bring on a desert island?
Kindle (avid reader), mobile (to access my Spotify library) and an American football (perfect the spiral!).

Would you rather be the funniest or smartest person in the room?
Funniest.

Do you have any hidden talents?
Like to think I can hold a tune & am always first on the karaoke! (much to the embarrassment of my wife!!).

Name something that is on your bucket list?
To attend a Super Bowl (preferably with the Chicago Bears as one of the teams competing!)

What artist/band is your guilty pleasure?
Iron Maiden – I have an eclectic taste but I’m very much a metalhead at heart!

What would your superpower be and why?
The ability to learn a new skill purely through mind transfer, little bit like Joe 90 (really showing my age now!!)

If you had to listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be?
I Giorni by Ludovico Einaudi – this was the track playing as my wife walked down the aisle. One of the happiest days of my life. Had the pleasure of watching Ludovico play this live at the Royal Albert Hall & it always takes me back to our wedding day.

How do you wind down after work?
Miniature Painting (e.g. Warhammer, Marvel united) A great way to switch off & unwind as you have no option but to focus on the 28mm model.