That’s why the theme for this year’s International Women in Engineering Day – #TogetherWeEngineer – chimes with Carl’s own ethos of good engineering practice.  He explained: “Although engineering is a science, there’s a huge creative aspect to it also. That’s why it’s important we have people from different backgrounds, cultures, and experiences come together to discuss the challenges, as diversity fuels creativity and innovation. If you stifle collaboration, then you are going to limit your ability to really push the boundaries and spark new ideas, which is really the foundation of successful engineering.” 

Carl has experienced the success of nurturing a culture of collaboration, together with mentoring, in many of his overseas positions, which, in turn, also shaped his leadership style. He said: “This approach has been very beneficial and helped me develop myself as a leader. It’s taught me the importance of clear communication – explaining complex ideas simply and effectively, whether I’m talking to an apprentice or a seasoned expert, and valuing the input from everyone in the room, regardless of their seniority.”  

Carl’s passion for engineering was inspired by his father, a production engineer and entrepreneur, but he said he was always a naturally curious and inquisitive thinker, always wanting to see how things worked. 

He added: “I’m still always amazed at the process when you have an idea in your head, you write it down and it’s translated into a technical drawing, then this design gets manufactured into a product that you can hold in your hand. Even after 25 years, seeing that continue to happen today gives me a buzz.”