Leading by example across large organisations: Philip Nai's Inspiring Journey at Skanska and the NHS

Created by VERCIDA for Skanska

 

Philip Nai works for Skanska in a busy NHS trust where the two organisations come together to support their diverse colleagues.

 

 

I came to the UK from Ghana when I was 17 years old. After I finished school, I joined the NHS as an apprentice engineer. One of the big attractions of working in a healthcare environment at the time was that I was given a free flat to live in. For a young man, it was amazing to be able to leave home and live independently.

It was a four-year apprenticeship and in 2005/06, Skanska signed an agreement to build a new NHS hospital. Since then, my career has progressed with Skanska, while still being a part of the NHS. I am pleased to say it has been on my own merits and skills. I became a mechanical supervisor and then a building liaison officer, working between an existing team and a construction team, and overseeing the project. My next move was to become an operations manager within Skanska and now I am the general manager for all Skanska’s work at the Royal London Hospital.

Basically, our role is to look after patients from the cradle to the grave. Skanska is responsible for all the clinical equipment that the hospital requires – everything from water treatment to air purifying systems to fridges in the morgue to the calibrated weighing scales that are so important for monitoring the development of babies. It is my team’s responsibility to make sure everything is compliant. 

I work at one of the biggest trauma hospitals in the UK, so we even have a helicopter to maintain, along with all its infrastructure, which needs to comply with Civil Aviation Authority regulations. It’s a challenge, especially as the hospital is open 24 hours a day. I’m lucky to have a good team around me, as well as a good management team to support me.

 

"My team at work is very multicultural. I’m very proud that the management team recognises Black History Month and recognises the contributions that diverse people have made"

 

 

Black History Month is a time for me to reflect on my environment and how it has shaped me. I was fortunate to grow up in a very safe environment when I came to the UK, so I don’t want to diminish the journeys of other people who have had different experiences to me. But I try to understand that other people have encountered different things on their journeys and I want to support them and set an example.

My team at work is very multicultural. I’m very proud that the management team recognises Black History Month and recognises the contributions that diverse people have made to Skanska and to the NHS, which is a huge organisation. 

The men and women I’ve worked with are giants in the industry. They have supported and empowered me and this has helped me become a role model, whether that is for my daughters or at work. If someone is to look at me as a Black man and they feel empowered that they can have a successful career, then my job is done. If I can be a stepping stone for people to know what they can achieve, that is so important. 

People’s character is so important – being empathetic and understanding has shaped me as a manager. It is important to understand people before making a judgement, especially as I am in a position of responsibility. 

 

"If someone is to look at me as a Black man and they feel empowered that they can have a successful career, then my job is done."

 

I have had a journey of success. There is always room for improvement in every walk of life, but I’m so lucky to be able to work across Skanska and the NHS. Every day, I see diversity in the hospital wards and corridors and among the people I work with. The construction and engineering industry has not always had a lot of Black employees, but Skanska is offering those opportunities to everyone.  

Skanska and the NHS have the same values and commitment to diversity and inclusion – it’s great to be part of two organisations that are working together for the same goals.

For me, the future is always about having a three-year plan. I’d like to become a director in the future if the opportunity is there for me to progress. I’ve always been very fortunate that I’ve been put on programmes where I have been able to be visible and grow within the two organisations. I want to keep on growing.

 

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