Patrick Burke

What do you do at Ricardo?

I’ve also had the opportunity to work on some research and analysis projects, most recently with the new light metro system in Montreal, looking at emergency evacuation and helping our client understand the risks and potential solutions when passengers are faced with an emergency and need to disembark an automated vehicle with no staff on board. 

Additionally, I have experience working with systems engineering for infrastructure projects and have also been a part of business development and change management teams within Ricardo Rail, leading bids and researching methods of internal business transformational culture change. 

The role is extremely varied. It’s what keeps me engaged! 

What do you like most about your job?

Ricardo is an environment that is not afraid to challenge its engineers through new learning opportunities. Several times I have been able to try something completely new to me and been given incredible support to develop my own career.

I recently was given the opportunity to work on a ground-breaking 135m euro project in Ireland, helping one of our key partners, Irish Rail, develop, design and commission a new operational control centre designed to coordinate the signalling of all trains across the country. This came about because I was able to put my hand up for new and exciting projects and had the backing of Ricardo leadership to learn and adapt to a new specialism.

Most recently, I have been able to relocate from the UK business to our new fledgling unit in Canada; a team that is successfully developing client relationships and moving from strength to strength – with possibilities to further grow and develop even as the team expands and grows within a new market.  I have recently moved to Toronto, and am loving the chance to apply the knowledge I have learned in my 5 years at Ricardo UK to novel projects transforming Canadian public transport. 

How do you keep your work interesting and fun for yourself and with your colleagues?

One thing I’ve inherited from those who came before me in the Derby office was the importance of taking a walk during a lunchbreak with colleagues. It’s a wonderful opportunity to discuss work, solve problems together, and catch up with everybody. 

COVID stopped that tradition in the UK office somewhat, but it’s something we’ve been doing every day here in Toronto, and I think it’s been helpful in creating a team feeling here amongst the Canadian team. 

On a slightly less routine side of things, the team here finds going to events together important – we’re quite spread out geographically, so whenever we are all in one place, we’ll try to go to watch a Baseball game, or sample some of Toronto’s famous restaurant scene. 

What would you do if you were in charge of your business unit?

One of the key barriers I’d love to see removed would be the difficulty of finding resource and expertise across our global business. A system whereby people could showcase their skillset and availability and enable them to match to parts of the world who need their skills and are short on resource.

This would de-risk individual geographical business units and enable them to ride-out short term geopolitical financial insecurities, such as removal of government funding or the sudden cancellation of major projects. Meanwhile, other parts of the business could bid for a wider scope of projects knowing that they can call on technical specialists from elsewhere in the business. 

I’d also make freshly ground espresso coffee machines mandatory in all Ricardo Rail offices, which might be an easier fix and, in my mind, no less strategically important! 

What insight about your work, team or business unit can you offer? Are there people/teams you would like to collaborate with on a project, or would you like to invite others to support your work?

Canada is undergoing something of a public transport revolution, or at least, it’s trying to. In car-focused North America, there’s a huge transition to be made and we’re just at the beginning of it. If any colleagues ever have the opportunity, I’d recommend jumping onto a Canadian or North American project if– it’s a fascinating environment in which to work! 

Do you want to share something else? Or: What no one knew about you?

I spend much of my spare time playing (or training for) rugby union. Back in the UK, I played for Derby Rugby Club, but am looking to join a club here in Toronto now. It’s a great way to meet people and keep fit – and usually has plenty of other engineers playing to network with also!