Andrew Gamble joined Esseco UK in 2019, initially working as an operator. In his words, it was a way “to get a foot in the door,” encouraged by his sister who was already part of the company. What followed was a gradual, hands-on progression that led him to his current role as Site Shift Manager.
The transition wasn’t planned in advance. As Andrew explains, “During 2020, there were a few issues with some personnel. I just jumped from role to role where I was needed.” Over time, this flexibility became a key part of his development. He moved between departments — supporting operations, taking on forklift duties, helping with reception and production planning — whenever the opportunity or need arose.
His current role is broad and dynamic. “Making sure the plants are running optimally,” he says, involves coordination with maintenance, overseeing permits, troubleshooting, and ensuring that production keeps moving. “It’s always changing,” Andrew adds. “That’s what’s nice about it.”
Among the more complex aspects of the job is ensuring that everything runs smoothly, with careful attention to procedures and communication. “There are days when everything flows, and others where something unexpected comes up. That’s part of the job — but that’s also what makes it interesting.”
Safety plays a key role in Andrew’s daily routine. “We’ve got to push ourselves to make sure safety is met,” he says. “There’s always room for improvement, but we’re on an upwards trend. The goal is to be better each year than the last.”
Rather than pointing to a single turning point in his career, Andrew highlights the ongoing learning he experiences across the site. “Learning from operators, from maintenance… every time there’s been something, I’d rather know how to do it.” That includes technical knowledge, chemical interactions, and new projects, like the recent burner installation, which brought both quiet periods and renewed pressure as production resumed.
Asked about what keeps him motivated, Andrew is clear: “It’s the fact that I’m always learning. The site is always changing. I want to be confident enough with my decisions when something’s going wrong — or right”.
He acknowledges that support from colleagues played a role in his growth. “Everybody — from Simon, my boss, to the operators and maintenance team — helped me learn.” When asked what advice he would give to someone starting their path at Esseco UK, his answer is simple: “Decide what you want, aim for it, work for it. Head down and carry on”.
