Peter

Peter Forrest has what one would call a ‘long tenure’. He joined BCP Engineers back in 1998, a company which later merged with SSI, which was then bought by Royal Haskoning DHV. “So, I’ve been with the company for 24 years. I’m one of the long-serving members. I don't think there are too many people remaining on the BCP Engineering list,” he laughs.

Peter currently fills the role of Project Director but is also a Geometric Specialist. I’ve been a Geometric Engineer or Senior Design Engineer specialist for the Roads Sector, now Smart Mobility, but I have recently diversified, being more involved with Contract Engineering and taken on a couple of Contract Engineering projects. I like that it gives you a better, more holistic understanding of engineering, and I've actually really enjoyed it.

If there’s one thing that gets Peter going about his role, it’s the challenges. “I have been very fortunate that I've been involved with some excellent projects. I enjoy the challenge, particularly with Construction and Contract engineering. We have a very difficult project currently. And there was this opportunity to really make a difference and help protect the client to see, through the many sorts of challenges, a way forward. I really enjoy trying to make a success of a project when the stakes are down. It’s great to be able to find a solution then.”

"I do enjoy my job; I think my job has opened many doors. I've been very fortunate to be more on larger, long-term-type projects. I’ve enjoyed the instances where I could truly focus on the client, understanding them and their requirements, and keeping tight control of delivery and standards. We have a reputation beyond measure, and to have clients see us as we are – their ally and advisor – is very rewarding."

Peter’s favourite project is the one that’s given them the most publicity so far – the Sani Pass project. “I've been the project director on that job. We've won an award there recently for the latest contract on it. And the Sani Pass, it's a flagship project, it's a project that we are obviously very proud of, and we’ve been involved in since 2007. So it's a long-term project. My role is sort of developed from being involved with geometrics to also project director.

And we've seen the success, I’ve actually nominated the project for an internal award, where our strong site supervision team has made the difference. And, you know, at the end of the day, it won awards because it is really quite an iconic project. I’m very proud of the project. And it’s the project that is, you know, that is giving our company a good reputation for enhancing society. We’ve definitely made a difference there. The project isn’t finished yet, the more challenging upper section is still to commence with construction, and we’re working with the client to try and secure our position as the consultant for that next phase.”

When asked what his colleagues don’t know about him, Peter says he’s pretty much an open book. “I think most of them know that family is important to me. My daughter just had a son, so I've just become a grandfather, which I’ve got to get used to, but it’s exciting. My wife and I love to travel too, and we’ve been very fortunate to be able to go on some exciting adventures. I also have a laat lammetjie, there’s a 9-year gap between her and my eldest, and it’s really been a blessing having children for an extended period.

If Peter was to offer advice to young, up-and-coming engineers, he says it would be to take the opportunities that present themselves. “Develop yourselves and immerse yourself in the technologies available to you. You must always strive to work more effectively and smarter – and you can do that when you embrace the latest technology. Invest in your future and realise our company is highly respected and seen as one of the best companies the industry has to offer and never take the global perspective for granted.”