It’s been just over six months since Engineering Manager Chris Bevan joined Crane. In that time, he’s thrown himself into new challenges, learned an entirely new side of engineering, and made his mark on the team.
We sat down with him to reflect on his journey so far, what he’s most proud of, and his goals for the months ahead.
You’ve been with Crane for six months now. How has it been so far?
It’s been a real education! I’ve learned so much about the physical side of engineering – particularly mechanical and electronic systems – and I’ve built strong working relationships with new colleagues along the way. Now, I feel settled and ready to take things forward in a direction that makes sense both for me and the business.
Can you share a bit about your background in engineering before Crane?
My career started in software development. After university, I worked as a software engineer for 17 years before stepping into my first management role at my previous employer, Blueberry, where I spent 13 years.
At Blueberry, I project-managed the delivery of IQVu to Crane, which was my first introduction to the company – and the people who would eventually become my colleagues.
What skills and knowledge have you been able to bring to Crane?
I’ve been able to draw on my experience in:
- Organisation, estimating, and planning
- Managing teams, people, and projects
- Software testing and development methodologies
- Liaising effectively with different teams
These skills have helped me positively impact both the team and the wider business.
Starting a new role always comes with challenges. What’s been the biggest one for you?
The steepest learning curve has been:
- Getting up to speed with mechanical and electronics engineering
- Understanding the very specialised world of torque management
- Familiarising myself with all the active projects currently in play
What are you most proud of achieving in your first six months?
There are a few things that stand out:
- Helping to bring the IQVu-2 to market and modernising the production process
- Organising the team structure and creating opportunities for shared leadership
- Successfully recruiting a new team member who has already proved to be a great fit
- Streamlining tasks and plans within a central project management system
And finally, what are your goals for the next six months?
Now that I’ve grasped the fundamentals of Crane and torque management, I want to:
- Step into a more strategic role, focusing on removing obstacles and driving projects to completion
- Begin defining the next generation of software and hardware products that will take Crane forward in the coming years
- Expand my network within Crane and among our customers, so I can deepen relationships and build stronger connections
Chris has already made a big impact at Crane, in a short time. With a mix of technical expertise, leadership skills, and vision for the future, the next six months promise to be just as exciting.
Find out more about the Crane products Chris has been working on. View our products online, find your nearest Crane distributor or get in touch with a member of our team.