Name
Steve Arthur
Age
42
Company
Wessex Water
Job
Asset programme manager
Career
Steve is a chartered environmental engineer who has worked in the water and waste management industry for 20 years. Several stints at Thames Water involved developing early business plans and managing large flood alleviation projects across London. Work for Thames Waste Management included extensive work on developing municipal waste incineration projects across southeast England. Since he joined Wessex Water in 2004, Steve has managed capital programmes for sewerage, delivered a world first PAS55 accreditation for a water company in 2007 and is currently managing the transfer of private sewers.
What was your first job?
A holiday job working in a factory making huge insulation panels for refrigerated buildings. This involved lots of small polystyrene nodules getting up my nose and in my ears and eyes and the strong smell of industrial adhesive – all for £1 an hour.
What are the best and worst parts of your job?
The best part is definitely seeing something through from start to finish, such as our PAS55 accreditation. Also, working for a company that regularly features at the top of the industry performance and customer service league tables gives me great satisfaction. The worst part is trying to stay up-to-date with the ever-changing regulatory framework we work in.
What’s your dream job and why?
My dream job would be as a music producer. I visited Peter Gabriel’s studio once and was transfixed by the mixture of technology and creativity.
What’s your most treasured possession?
My journal, in which I attempt to regularly capture memories, thoughts and musings. Also my photo albums.
Where did you last go on holiday?
A large bunkhouse in the Gower peninsula in South Wales with extended family. Lots of body-boarding and barbecues on the beach.
In the Hollywood film of your life, who would play you?
Jeff Goldblum, largely because my wife thinks I look like him (she’s never seen the film The Fly). Not sure I agree, but he is quite unusual looking.
Reveal something about yourself not many people know.
I used to be a semi-professional ice hockey player in the English 2nd division.
What album is currently in your car CD player?
Twin albums Road Salt One and Road Salt Two by Swedish rock band Pain of Salvation. Unbelievably moving and powerful.
What’s your favourite film and TV programme?
Film is The Shawshank Redemption (closely followed by Life is Beautiful).
TV show is either MasterChef or Never Mind the Buzzcocks.
What quote or saying do you most overuse?
“Really … OK.”
If you ruled the world, what would you do first?
I would make it a crime to ask hypothetical, world domination based questions.
What’s your favourite joke?
“I was attacked by the Grim Reaper recently and only fought him off with the help of my trusty vacuum cleaner … talk about Dyson with death!”
This article first appeared in Utility Week’s print edition of 27 January 2012.
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