A conversation with Bob Aldridge, Senior Business Strategy Manager at AVEVA
Bob focuses on AVEVA’s Integrated Engineering & Design and Information Management Solutions for the power industry. Bob has worked at AVEVA for more than 35 years, in a wide variety of roles ranging from product development and deployment through to marketing and strategy – all with a focus on the process plant and power industries. Before joining AVEVA, Bob worked for a UK chemicals company, and was educated at Nottingham University where he holds a PhD in Chemical Engineering.
BRW: What do you hope the audience will learn from this webinar?
Digitalisation offers so many opportunities, yet it can be daunting to know how and where to get started. The webinar will look at ways in which EPCs (Engineering, Procurement and Construction companies) can begin their journey by moving to the latest generation of integrated, data-centric tools. These tools focus on creating and managing the data that, that can not only underpin the EPC process itself, but also deliver to the newly emerging requirements of the power plant operator. This enables clients to gear up their own digitalisation programs as they onboard new plant. During the webinar, we will learn how companies adopting this approach are not only better placed to win more work, but also gain from major productivity and efficiency benefits too. For power plant operators too, the opportunities are enormous, but they too can often face the challenge of how to get started and how to progress from a document-centric world.
BRW: What discussions do you look forward to having with the audience?
I am looking forward to discussing some of the tools and technologies that enable companies in the power sector to make major steps forward as they begin their own digitalisation journeys. I am also looking forward to learning more about the challenges and successes that the industry faces. The best bit of a webinar is always exchanging ideas and getting fresh perspectives from industry leaders, so I am really looking forward to hearing what people have to say.
BRW: What do you enjoy most about your role?
I’ve always been fascinated by engineering and the size, scale and complexity of the projects our customers carry out. I like to be a part of that. Although I have been in this industry for more than 35 years, I always learn something new every time I talk with one of our customers. They all have different ways of working, new challenges and problems to solve. There are always opportunities to apply new technologies to make things more efficient and effective. But above all, it’s the people you meet and the things you learn from them – their insights into engineering, the challenges they face in their daily work, their culture and lifestyles – that are the most valuable.
BRW: How did you get into the industry?
I was attracted to AVEVA because of the way the company was helping to shape the future of the power and process industries, embracing innovative software technology to help boost efficiency and increase productivity. I began working with companies like EDF, Areva (now Orano) and Alstom Power (now part of GE), working closely with them to understand their challenges and to help develop and deploy solutions. I’ve been at AVEVA for over 35 years now, and in that time I have witnessed incredible growth and change throughout the sector. I’m proud that AVEVA has kept pace with our customers, helping them to continue to innovate and grow.
BRW: Where is your favourite place in the world and why?
Throughout my career, I have had the chance to travel extensively, something I greatly enjoy. I love seeing new places, meeting new people and learning about new cultures and ways of life. There are so many places I have enjoyed visiting it’s hard to pick just one. Maybe Hawaii, the beaches, scenery, are snorkelling are all simply amazing but then again, I’ve been able to visit many parts of Asia, and that’s amazing – there is always something new to see on every street corner.
Join Bob Aldridge on 7th March for a webinar entitled Digitalising the Power Industry at 3PM London/10AM New York.