Meet the team: Network Design Manager Ben Ibikunle
In the latest edition of our ‘Meet the team’ series, we’re introducing you to our Network Design Manager Ben Ibikunle.
Ben is responsible for approving the design of the multi-utility networks that we adopt and operate. Along with his team, he ensures that the utility infrastructure designs submitted by our ICP, UIP and developer partners are compliant and fit for purpose.
Can you tell us a bit more about your role, Ben?
My role involves leading, organising and supporting the Design team to ensure we continually deliver excellent customer service to our clients. The workload can be varied across each utility, so one of my main objectives is to ensure each and every team member is multiskilled across the various utilities, so we can support each other effectively whilst maintaining high standards of performance for our clients.
What do you like most about your job?
I love the variety in the role. Daily, I deal with design and technical queries for gas and electricity assets and recently water and wastewater. All of which can be varied in scope, depth and complexity. Sometimes I just have to pinch myself to remind myself which utility I am dealing with, as the design criteria are very different but the approach is quite similar or analogous in some aspects.
And what’s it like being part of the mua team?
mua is a very dynamic and progressive company. I love the strong team spirit and enjoy the open and supportive feeling within the company, especially as we all work remotely. The company has fully embraced hybrid working. Everyone is trusted to get on with the day job and enjoy a modern flexible work-life balance, which works well in mua.
When did you join mua?
I joined mua 10 months ago from heading up a Tendering and Design function for an ICP. I must say I really enjoy my current role and the people I work with. One of the things that drew me to mua was the variety of high-profile projects that mua adopts including EHV networks, primary substations, data centres, large BESS projects and high-end EV projects.
The diverse portfolio of assets in itself helps with risk reduction and promotes so many opportunities for mua’s sustainability. mua is an agile, forward-thinking company that easily adapts to the external environment changing constantly.
How have you found your first few months at mua?
It has been fast-paced with a varied scope of work, which allows for growth and all-round development. The atmosphere is a lot more relaxed and everyone gets on with their daily job in a supportive team. It feels like I have been here for several years!
What makes mua different?
We are very flexible and our ethos is to find the right solution in every situation. We have a streamlined process and are very responsive, which we believe allows our clients to move projects on a lot quicker and ensures we remain the preferred asset operator.
What do you like to do outside of work?
I have a 23-year-old and two young kids (ages 7 and 9) who are still in primary school. My current working arrangement allows me to support my family more personally as I am now around to do school and football runs, even cooking for the kids when they come back from school which is very important to me. I can now play football once a week with my local church team and spend more quality time with friends and family.
Finally, what’s your proudest achievement?
On 6 October 2019, I had the opportunity to travel back to St Petersburg, Russia, for a visit and recreate a moment outside the Kazan Cathedral on Nevsky Prospect (one of my favourite spots) from 29 years before.
I was fortunate to have won a fully funded scholarship award for a specialised Telecommunications Engineering degree in the then Soviet Union. The degree was taught in Russian, which I only learnt when I arrived in Leningrad. I graduated from St Petersburg and that experience as a teenager shaped my life immensely and shaped me into who I am today.
