There is no rest of the wicked, which is why the evil Staff Spotlight continues to shine its beacon into the darkest recesses of every office, laboratory and site space to seek out victims for temporary blinding. 

In the latest edition of this award winning (it still isn’t) feature, Robert Randall faces the ultimate challenge … will he blink?

You’re Robert Randall, that much we know – what else should we know? 

Well, I’ve been with Igne for 7 months; I’m a project manager for the water well department operating out of Hamilton. 

That tells us precisely nothing salacious.  Where did you pop up from? 

I originated from the British army where I spent 12 and a half years (for my sins).  My last 2 and a half years in the military were spent training and mentoring the future generation of soldiers at the Infantry Training Centre in Catterick.

And?

Well, the last 2 and a half years were good.  I honed my leadership skills and developed ways of getting to understand what motivates different individuals.  To enable people to perform to the best of their ability, you need to know the carrot that makes them want to work hard.

I had an incredible Commanding Officer during that period – he was hugely invested in us all.  He had an excellent leadership programme where invited speakers would come and impart their wisdom.  I learned a lot about the carrot – or motivation – from Sir Alex Ferguson who came to talk to us as part of that leadership programme. 

That’s more like it … but you weren’t born in the army – more about you please…

I grew up on the south side of Glasgow, I am one of three siblings, I joined the army after watching motivational documentaries about young soldiers, which made me want to do my bit - but didn’t make me think of the consequences!

Fair enough.  What does your role at Igne entail?

Before I joined Igne, I worked with brilliant leaders during my time in the military who, once they had left and entered the civilian world, advised me that roles in project management would best suit me once I left.

I am highly organised, have excellent attention to detail but I am also a people person who loves being the enabler of others. 

So, my role consists of the planning, management and delivery of successful water well projects and ongoing maintenance all across Scotland.  I also provide line management for the drillers and pump technicians who are the brilliant boots on the ground delivering the hard work.

It’s the perfect role for me.

What advice can you give someone who wants to follow in your career footsteps?

Be confident in your own abilities and never stop striving to be the best version of yourself.  Work hard, don’t be afraid to lean on others and learn.  Never take no for an answer.  Oh, and did I mention, work hard!

Woah there.  What does ‘never stop striving to be the best version of yourself’ mean?  It sounds like something people spam LinkedIn with.  Surely, we’re all allowed a day off to eat crisps and lament the state of the world?

Oh, absolutely, yes!  Being able to switch off, enjoy life, have a laugh, take time out with friends and family – it’s all about balance.  And that restores you and enables you to present your best professional self at work.

What else motivates you at work?

I’m motivated by the tangible impact our work has across Scotland.  I’m driven by the knowledge that each water well project we successfully complete provides essential water sources to not only domestic clients in rural areas but our commercial clients alike to improve business needs.

The diverse nature of our work is exciting travelling to different locations throughout Scotland, from remote highland regions to coastal communities.

You’ve clearly achieved a LOT in your life so far, but what accomplishment are you most proud of?

I will revert back to the military to answer this question.  As a recruit instructor, my most memorable accomplishment was guiding a recruit who not only excelled during training but ultimately achieved the top student award and top fitness award out of a group of 48 individuals in the platoon.  This achievement was particularly meaningful as it demonstrated my ability to motivate, train, and develop exceptional talent, highlighting the impact an instructor can have in shaping an individual’s potential and performance.

The success of this recruit validated my training approach and commitment to bringing out the best in every individual under my leadership.  So I guess this one sticks with me the most!

[Dear reader: we digressed at this point to discuss whether surely, it would have been more of an achievement to drive a fat, unhealthy and demotivated individual to success.  Anecdotes were shared…none that can be printed.]

Back to Igne, how have you grown professionally in your time here?

My professional growth has been driven by continuously expanding my technical knowledge, taking on increasingly complex projects, and expanding on my strong leadership skills.

What do you think the future hold for Igne?

The future for Igne looks incredibly promising, with a clear focus on strategic business growth and innovation.  We’re committed to attracting new, motivated talent that can bring fresh perspectives and technical expertise to the teams.

The vision includes investing in cutting edge equipment and advanced technologies that will enhance our operational efficiency and capabilities.  We’re positioning ourselves to not just meet current industry standards, but to lead and innovate in our retrospective fields of work.  There is a tremendous potential for growth and expansion and are excited about the opportunities that lie ahead.

That’s far too much serious information, tell us something about you that most people don’t know?

I have a 3-year-old miniature dachshund called Diego who rules my life.  

[OMG he is the cutest thing I have ever seen ... you can go now Robert, I need to just gaze into his heavenly eyes ...]