Spotlight on EngTech: Marc Owen
Continuing our series of case studies, we’ve been talking to some of our EngTech members, asking them about their careers to date, the ways IGEM has supported them so far and what their thoughts are on the future of gas. Marc Owen is an EngTech member of IGEM, a member of the Large Business Forum (LBF) and currently works in Gas Compliance at Derry Building Services
Marc’s career in gas began while he was still at school, working weekends for his father. When he left school at 15, he went to work for his father full time, where most of the work was council house contracts, installing either full heating systems or bathrooms. At this time, most houses did not have central heating, so they were all new installations.
“The favourite one to be installed was the back boiler and fire unit with a cylinder and tanks,” Marc says. “I remember spending nearly six months just lagging roof spaces, then I moved on to pipe and tank lagging. All the work we were completing was signed off by the council clerk of works, and they just loved giving the apprentice a hard time and having a joke.”
When his father sadly passed away in 1995, Marc went to work for GDA Ltd, formerly Hotpoint Creda Cannon, where he says the main role was looking after anything gas-related within white goods (cookers and fires, gas tumble dryers, etc). He describes this time as a big change, having gone from boilers to other gas appliances, but ultimately “a very good learning experience”.
After a long stint at GDA Ltd, Marc moved on to the N-Power Home Team – or Servo Warm, as it was called at the time – to undertake mostly household insurance work, repairing and servicing appliances.
Marc then branched out to start his own company, Service and Management, covering domestic and commercial appliances. “I won some contracts with letting agents and took over the management of the only privately-owned high-rise block of flats in the UK. After about five years, there was a small drop in work, and I was owed a lot of money from the letting agents, so I decided to work for a company based in Stratford-upon-Avon called Orbit Housing,” he says, adding that it was a very uncertain time in the industry.
After about a year, his contract was taken over by Kent-based company Swale Heating Ltd and, within two weeks, Marc had been made Contracts Supervisor, working closely with Operations Director Chris Riley. “During this time, I covered and learnt a lot about larger business needs and bigger projects, getting more involved with the gas compliance side of things and checking paperwork,” he says.
Marc then went to work at Robert Heath Heating Ltd as Technical Manager. During this time, Marc worked alongside Morgan Lambert, the company contracted to assess the level of gas paperwork and work being carried out. He says that, at this point, he felt he was learning something new on a daily basis.
At this time, Marc was also working alongside Colin Childs, who was the QHSE Manager and a member of IGEM’s Large Business Forum. Marc describes Colin as his engineering role model, saying: “He was the QHSE Manager and a member of IGEM’s Large Business Forum. His knowledge was very vast, and he was always there to support anyone. He pointed me in the direction that my path has taken up to now.”
His next career move was to Swale Heating Ltd, where his role as Regional Technical Manager meant he covered the Midlands, which Marc says was a great opportunity as was the chance to work alongside GCS Gas Contract Services, an audit company that Marc met with weekly to go over technical issues relating to work and paperwork.
“I was then at a point in my life where I wanted to try and work for myself again, so I gave it a go, building a good business supplying information and support to building companies and other gas engineers to help build knowledge and enhance the industry,” Marc says. “I enjoyed my time working for myself but, with the current climate and Covid-19, I made the decision to look for permanent employment.”
He now works at Derry Building Services in gas compliance, overseeing any gas-related issues in the business. “The projects I get the chance to look at range from boilers that are 54000kW down to 30kW LPG/natural gas and oil with some very large appliances, to helping with designing the gas pipework and ventilation requirements and ensuring that it’s all completed to the highest standard and following all current Gas Safe regulations and IGEM documents.”
“I think it’s rare that you find a job that you can honestly say you enjoy, but that is true for me. It does help when you work for a company that knows how to retain its employees long term.”
Explaining why he decided to become an IGEM member, Marc says “While working for Swale Heating Ltd and Robert Heath Heating Ltd, I had the opportunity to work closely with some of the UK’s leading audit companies such as Morgan Lambert and GCS Gas Contract Services, and both companies relied on the information coming from IGEM to improve the gas industry. Also working with Colin Childs who, at the time, was a key member of the Large Business Forum, and seeing the impact that IGEM was having on the gas industry made me look at IGEM and prompted me to apply to join as a Gas Technician.
“I decided that, if I wanted to be a better gas engineer and move on to compliance and take my gas knowledge to a higher level, I would need to improve my overall outlook regarding the gas industry as a whole, and IGEM could help me do that.”
Marc successfully joined as a Gas Technician and worked on developing his knowledge for three years before making the decision to apply for EngTech status. He said: “The process was very informative and the IGEM office staff were helpful. I would recommend this to anyone who is serious about their gas career.
“IGEM has helped me in many ways that I could not have foreseen. Being an IGEM member has allowed me to view a large amount of information within the documents and watching and being part of webinars and conferences. All of this has supported me in my role and has allowed me to provide other Gas Safe registered engineers with the most up to date information.”
“I value my EngTech membership because of the standards it allows you access to, and the reputation it holds within the industry. I do think it shows that you are not just doing a gas job but also taking the gas industry seriously and trying to improve your knowledge and overall understanding.”
Marc’s advice for those starting out in gas or wanting to gain EngTech status is “try and speak to as many qualified gas engineers as you can, get more than one point of view.”
He added: “Try and read as many documents as possible regarding regulations, and also try to go on the manufacturers’ sites and read up about upcoming changes to the brand and appliances.
“For anyone trying to become an EngTech, I would say to get a good mentor – possibly someone who is already a registered IGEM member, or someone who can help you with your progress within the IGEM group. Try and attend as many courses as possible, and always try to read or make yourself aware of any new technical bulletins or safety alerts listed on the Gas Safe site.”
His thoughts on the future of gas? “Looking at the current climate, it is very unsecure for any industry, but I do think the gas industry is making the correct movements looking at hydrogen and pushing the manufacturers to improve performance and emissions.”