An interview with Process Engineers Eleanor Humphreys and Santosh Mistry
When a plant runs smoothly, stability is rarely the result of individual effort. It is built through teamwork, shared knowledge and different technical perspectives coming together. In this interview, Process Engineers Eleanor Humphreys and Santosh Mistry explain how collaboration shapes the way problems are analysed and solved across the site at Esseco UK.
What makes the Technical Team unique within the organisation?
Eleanor:
“We work very closely together. When an issue comes up, it’s common for us to gather around a whiteboard and work through it collectively. Everyone contributes their experience, draws scenarios and challenges assumptions. That shared approach helps us consider aspects we might not have thought of individually and arrive at more robust solutions.”
Santosh:
“Our strength comes from the diversity of backgrounds within the team. We’ve worked in different industries — gas distribution, polymer chemistry, wastewater treatment — and that variety allows us to look at problems from multiple angles. It’s a real advantage when dealing with complex processes.”
How does this diversity influence the way you work together?
Santosh:
“In some organisations, people only know one specific industry or way of working. Here, we can draw on experience from different sectors and apply that knowledge collaboratively. It helps us challenge assumptions and find better technical solutions.”
Eleanor:
“A lot of what we know has been built through experience on site. Working together allows us to combine that knowledge and test ideas collectively, rather than working in isolation.”
Who do you collaborate with outside your immediate team?
Eleanor:
“Collaboration extends well beyond the technical team. We work closely with maintenance, operations, and health and safety.”
Santosh:
“Quality, laboratory teams and operations as well. Problem-solving here is very much a cross-functional effort.”
How does information flow when you are solving a problem?
Eleanor:
“Much of the knowledge on site comes from experience. People remember how similar situations were handled in the past, and that insight is shared openly. There’s always someone who has seen something similar before, and that collective memory is incredibly valuable.”
What happens when you face a particularly complex calculation or technical challenge?
Eleanor:
“If someone gets stuck on a calculation or a technical question, it’s normal to bring it to the group. Having multiple perspectives helps arrive at a more accurate and well-rounded solution.”
Santosh:
“We often run detailed calculations in the background and then summarise the key points clearly, so that other teams can take informed and practical action.”
How would you describe the working atmosphere at Esseco UK?
Santosh:
“There’s a strong sense of community. People are approachable and willing to help.”
Eleanor:
“There’s always someone who can contribute, whether through experience or technical insight. That makes day-to-day problem-solving much more effective.”
In every stable process, there is a team behind it
Troubleshooting, calculations, shared knowledge and collaboration across departments are what keep processes stable and allow the plant to improve continuously.
At Esseco UK, technical excellence is built through cooperation, trust and a willingness to learn from one another. Teamwork is not a formal method — it is how engineering happens every day.
