20 QUESTIONS 20 QUESTIONS
SIMON HARRISON WHO ARE YOU?
Simon Harrison, Development Director for power globally at engineering, management and development consultant Mott MacDonald. I’m also a Vice
President of the Institution of Engineering and Technology, and chair its Energy Policy Panel.
WHAT BROUGHT YOU INTO THE INDUSTRY/YOUR POSITION? I have an
academic background in engineering and worked as an academic for a time (at Southampton University), then sought more immediate application of engineering with consultancy Ewbank Preece, later acquired by Mott MacDonald. One of the appeals of engineering consultancy was (and is) its variety and the opportunity to make a big difference to the lives of many people all over the world. For example we have been leading the engineering development of a 7000 MW hydroelectric scheme in Pakistan that would provide electricity, with all its associated economic benefits, for perhaps 7 million families. Likewise we’ve been leading the way helping financiers understand and get comfortable with funding large offshore wind and complex solar energy projects, meaning that these projects go ahead and get built.
FAMILY STATUS?
I am married to Sarah, a classical musician and all round wonderful caring person, and we have a grown-up daughter Lucy who is at university.
WHO IS YOUR HERO AND WHY? J S Bach, the composer. At one level his achievements are technically almost unbelievable, but even more he knows how to press every possible emotional button.
WHAT ANNOYS YOU THE MOST? Meetings that spend time going down blind alleys full of detail whilst missing the big picture.
WHO WOULD YOU NOT LIKE TO BE? David Cameron, or any Prime Minister. It must be so frustrating having to spend so much effort on the “narrative” rather than making the real difference that led you into politics in the first place.
WHAT IS THE BEST ADVICE YOU HAVE EVER BEEN GIVEN?
Not to fight battles you can’t win.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE SMELL? Freshly mown grass.
WHAT DO YOU DO IN YOUR SPARE TIME?
I’m a keen amateur musician, singing solo and in choirs and playing keyboard instruments. I’ve also directed community theatre in our village in Sussex UK – everyone gets involved and it’s brilliant fun. I enjoy gardening and generally being outside in the countryside. I also read a lot and take an interest in current affairs, history, the arts and architecture.
WHAT SPORT DO YOU PARTICIPATE IN/WATCH THE MOST?
I’m a keen cyclist, getting out both days most weekends when in the UK. It’s a great way to clear the mind and keep fit.
WHAT IS THE MOST BIZARRE SITUATION YOU HAVE FOUND YOURSELF IN? AND HOW DID YOU DEAL WITH IT? I was working in Uzbekistan a couple of years ago, and my Uzbek colleague borrowed a friend and his car to get us around. It was a 20 year old stretch Mercedes with huge windows of the sort generally favoured by ruling elites. The Uzbeks both sat in the front leaving me in the glasshouse at the back. The only way to behave was to relax and enjoy the attention of everyone around as I was ferried to various government ministry buildings for meetings. They must have thought I was a special guest of President Karimov.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE RECORD/ CD/ARTIST/MUSIC?
I’m a keen classical music listener and will try almost anything. Jazz is good too. There’s a great internet radio station called Swiss Jazz.
IF MONEY WAS NOT A FACTOR WHAT WOULD YOU BUY TOMORROW? I don’t really know, apart from presents for Sarah and Lucy. Maybe it would be something philanthropic.
WHICH WORDS WOULD BEST DESCRIBE YOU?
When I asked at home, my wife said “forward-looking, collegiate and kind”, her sister who was visiting said “concise, efficient, humorous”. I’m sure others could think of less flattering descriptions!
WHAT TALENT WOULD YOU LIKE TO HAVE?
To be able to be more empathetic.
WHAT MAKES YOU ANGRY? I tend not to get angry, but do get frustrated that as engineers and scientists we struggle so much to engage politicians and the public in general in what matters to us.
WHAT LAW/LEGISLATION WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE INTRODUCED? I would like to see that everyone has to be educated to a reasonable level in both science and the arts.
WHAT PROMINENT PERSON WOULD YOU LIKE TO MEET?
Nelson Mandela, but I’m not sure what I would have to say to him.
WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING AT PRESENT? Autumn in the Heavenly Kingdom by Stephen Platt, a fascinating account of the Taiping Civil War in China in the nineteenth century.
WHAT CAR DO YOU DRIVE? Audi A4, though I do more miles by plane and train these days.
WHERE WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE 10 YEARS FROM NOW? I would be approaching 60. I would hope to be contributing to making the world a better place through good engineering, and helping to create a legacy of young engineering talent well equipped to solve the pressing problems of the 21st century. And also playing a positive role at home and in the community.
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www.windenergynetwork.co.uk
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