Sam Dodd - career story 

Could you describe your career path and current position at Bureau Veritas UK? 

 In October I will have been at Bureau Veritas for 13 years. Originally, I thought it would just be a ‘job’ after graduating from university, but in the first few years it soon became clear I could build a career here. 

Over that time, I’ve been an Account Executive based in a client office, a Bid Manager, a Global Compliance Programme Analyst, a Key Account Manager and a Service Improvement Manager. These opportunities have seen me relocate to Manchester and London, before I settled back in my home city of Birmingham. 

In my current position of Head of Commercial Governance in Building and Infrastructure, I’m responsible for working with the business units (BUs) to monitor commercial performance at BU and contract level against established reporting metrics, oversee improvement projects and lead contract negotiations with clients at both contract inception and renewal. 

 In your day-to-day work, how do you contribute to Shaping a World of Trust? 

Part of my role is to establish stronger governance around our reporting and monitoring of finances, which naturally feeds into trust. This was initially in the form of monthly profitability reviews, but it has evolved this year to monthly financial governance reviews. 

I also have input into establishing greater operational discipline and simplification, as well as contributing to the profit enhancement plans, particularly through managing the price increases across building and infrastructure. 

What has been a personal highlight since joining us? 

I’ve had a number of personal highlights since joining the business back in 2011, like successfully managing the mobilisation of a multi million-pound project across EMEA, APAC and Americas, developing and launching the Customer Excellence Charter in our region and being awarded a Bureau Veritas Pride Award for outstanding external customer focus. 

However, the one that was probably most important was being selected to be part of the Bureau Veritas development programme in 2013. Through this, I started to establish a development plan and it allowed me to see potential for a career with Bureau Veritas. 

 What would you say to someone considering a career with us? 

Bureau Veritas is a big organisation with endless opportunities to develop and build a career, whether you have a technical background and a clear path you want to follow, if you think you may be interested in going into a certain field or even if you have no idea what you want to do. Make sure you always talk to your manager and are honest with what you’re thinking. We’re always looking to attract and retain brilliant people, and will support individuals in their development, but it is for you to start those conversations.