Case studies : Project Controller: Thomas Wheeler

Thomas Wheeler is a Project Controller in Averda, holding an MSc degree in Mechanical Engineering and an MBA.

I first heard about Averda's Academy from my MBA career service. I was really impressed by the assessment center; among the different assessment centers I went through during my job search, Averda's was the most demanding and the most professional in terms of organization.

Once I got admitted, I received an invitation to meet the CEO, M. Malek Sukkar: a great experience. Joining a rather small company in the waste management industry was not an obvious choice after graduating from a top European B-school, but the attention given to my candidature, the entrepreneurial culture and the growth ambition of the company made me decide to jump on board.

I started a month before the launch of the academy in Abu Dhabi. My first assignment took me to the heart of the company, in operations. My objective was to improve the reporting system on our activities to our main local client. This assignment was a great opportunity to leverage my past experiences, to learn about the core business of the company and to meet not only the project director but also the truck drivers and sweepers. Following a three-day induction period, I was given a total freedom in my work. It took me only a few weeks to foresee the impact my work would have which is one other great thing about working for a fast-growing company.

After this deep dive into the operations, I joined the Academy. It was very exciting to meet and to work with people from all over the globe, with so many different backgrounds; it was like starting a second MBA! The two months of the Academy went really fast. Throughout the projects, presentations and other activities, we learnt about the business and got many opportunities to network. The buzz around the Academy is such that all top managers know us; some of them would even travel from our offices in London and Beirut to assist with our presentations.

I began working in the Water Division as a Project Controller after the Academy. My work consists of developing integrated water management solutions for one of the biggest regional corporation which could become a new line of business for the company. Of course, the divisional managers will mentor me on this journey to help me make it a success. You won't find many places where you can get such early responsibility, so if you are ready for this challenge, if you want you work to have a true impact on the company, do not hesitate - join the Averda family! The Academy will give you the tools for your success.