To celebrate National Apprenticeship Week, we asked Luke McCreery about his journey from apprentice gas engineer to Director of Property Maintenance and Building Safety at Curo.
What was your first role at Curo?
I did work experience with Curo aged 15 and then started as an apprentice as soon as I left school at 16, back in 2005.
As an apprentice, you’re paired with a mentor and I was teamed with a guy called Chris who was aged 63. It was an opportunity for me to grow and mature. I was working with people older than me and they parented me a lot – I’ve still got a lot of non-biological parents from that time! I’m grateful for the mentors who were willing to share their experiences with me.
On my first day as an apprentice I worked with John Smail – he left to start his own business. Now I’m a director and I’ve just reemployed him.
Being an apprentice was an amazing experience. I was based in the Snow Hill estate, Bath, and got to do a bit of everything. Most of the time I was plumbing but I’d also lay paths, do wall repairs and a bit of carpentry. It all came in useful when I bought my first home.
What’s been the biggest challenge of your career and how have you overcome it?
In eight years, I went from apprentice to gas team leader, managing a team of eight. The transition from being colleagues’ apprentice to becoming their manager could have been difficult. However, it’s a credit to them rather than me that there was no kick-back.
I know people in other organisations who’ve had much worse experiences. They’ve started managing people who can’t accept the change. I’ve heard of people saying: “You can’t ask me to do that, you’re the apprentice.”
I do still get imposter syndrome, though. Sometimes I’ll look around the room at all these people I admire: Victor (da Cunha, Chief Executive), Julie (Evans, Chief Property Officer) and Matt (Steele, Director of Asset Management) and think, “What am I doing here?” I’ve got a coach who I talk this through with. And I’ve realised that everyone gets imposter syndrome at some point. It’s only natural as it’s a huge responsibility to make decisions that will ripple down into people’s working lives.
What’s been the biggest achievement of your career?
Winning Inspirational Leader and Winner of Winners at the annual Curo colleague awards a few years ago. That was special as the awards were voted for by colleagues.
I’m most proud that I’ve been able to maintain my relationship with our tradespeople. Even though I’m now based in the office I can still connect with them. There’s a level of trust and truth. They know I didn’t go into the job from university – I’ve worked on the tools. That’s also an advantage when I’m in senior management meetings. I know the challenges of implementing the things that may look good on paper.
Did you always have ambitions to become a director?
Yes, even at the age of 17. I remember saying to a colleague at the time, “What that manager wants to do won’t work. I could come up with a better way.” I used to say I didn’t want to be a manager, I wanted to be the chief executive! That’s still my goal.
Part of what drives me comes from my dyslexia and not being the best in school. I struggled to get my GCSEs. But I have a very competitive streak and I’m driven to prove people wrong, including ex-teachers. I also wanted to show friends who’ve gone to uni that I can achieve just as much as they can.
Another driver is the social purpose of working in social housing. I’ll be happy if I can work in the sector for 55 years and say I’ve made a difference at the end of it.
I’m now also Chair of the Board of Emmaus Bristol, a homelessness charity. It’s an embarrassment that there’s still street homelessness in today’s society. This is a chance for me to give something back.
I’ve always had confidence, but at the same time, I’ve hidden behind the façade I’d developed from being young - as the funny, fat kid. Now I’ve found a sense of calm – I’ve realised I can just be myself.
What’s the best advice you’ve been given?
Stay true to yourself. If you do that, and something doesn’t work out, you can still feel OK about it.
Who do you admire most in the public eye?
Michelle Obama – she’s someone who’s true to herself. She’s not afraid to share her opinions but she also seems kind.
What advice would you give to any apprentices starting out on their careers?
Stick at it – sometimes it’s hard being an apprentice, but have faith that you will progress. Ask lots of questions. Be respectful – your older colleagues have grown up in a different world to you. Absorb as much as you can – college will give you a certificate and your colleagues will give you real-life experience. And be nice to people – if you make friends on the job, you’ll always have people you can call for help when you need it.
Curo work with Bath College to offer apprenticeships. For more information email the Work Wise team: employmentandtraining@curo-group.co.uk