Read about Tom's journey from Graduate to Director
A Politics and History degree might not sound like the obvious starting point for a career at Amey. But for Tom Cox, it led to a graduate role here and, ultimately, his current position as Senior Delivery Director.
Since first joining Amey in 2013, Tom’s career has taken him through different roles, business units, locations and challenges. We caught up with him to hear how it all began, what keeps him motivated and the advice he would give to someone starting their own career.
How did your career lead you to Amey?
“I studied Politics and History at Newcastle University, so although I now work alongside some great engineers, I was not, and still am not, an engineer myself,” Tom says.
During his final year at university, he began looking for opportunities on the general management side and came across Amey’s Management Graduate Development Programme.
The two-year programme offered something that immediately appealed to him: variety.
“I changed roles every six months and moved locations too. It meant I gained a broad range of experience in quite a short period of time, alongside bespoke training and the opportunity to build a network across the business.”
Tom joined the programme in 2013 and progressed through roles including Account Manager and Programme Director. He was also sponsored by Amey to complete an MSc in Management.
After spending some time away from the business, he returned in 2019 to become General Manager for a newly won highways contract.
Today, he is a Senior Delivery Director, working with our infrastructure teams across England.
What kind of work makes you proud?
For Tom, some of the most rewarding moments have come from bringing people together to solve complex problems. He is particularly proud when he sees members of those teams continue to develop their careers, work with others and tackle new challenges of their own.
Most recently, this has included working across the business on a major re-tender for National Highways’ Scheme Delivery Framework, which broadly covers the design of highway assets across England’s strategic road network.
He also points to Amey’s work on the Specialist Professional and Technical Services contract, known as SPATS.
“We brought partners from other organisations together to form an alliance,” he says. “In doing so, we were able to build on our previous involvement and offer new insights and perspectives to the industry.”
What motivates you at work?
Tom’s competitive nature prompts a simple answer: “Winning.”
For him, however, that is as much about the journey and the people involved as it is the result.
“I like building teams, driving high performance and then enjoying that shared success with those people.”
This focus on people has shaped Tom’s own career, from building a network as a graduate to leading teams today.
What do you enjoy outside of work?
Away from work, Tom used to enjoy playing rugby but has since retired, albeit not officially – as he was keen to clarify!
He is a dad to three young children and spends most of his spare time with his family, who “keep him on his toes”. When he gets the chance, he also tries to keep fit by going to the gym, running or cycling.
What advice would you give to someone considering Amey?
“Put your hand up to get involved in the ‘extras’,” Tom says. “Do not be afraid to step outside your comfort zone, because that is often where many of the exciting opportunities come from.
“If you are prepared to say yes and try something new, then I think lots of opportunities will come within your reach.”
Tom’s own journey is a great example of exactly that. From joining a graduate programme without an engineering background to becoming a Senior Delivery Director, his career has developed through trying new things, taking opportunities and being willing to step outside his comfort zone.
For anyone considering their next step, his story is a reminder that you do not need to have your entire career mapped out from day one. Sometimes, putting your hand up is enough to get it moving.
