In this interview series we would like for you to meet the people of NBCC’s Council Board who uphold and continuously work to maintain and develop the 115 year long history of trade between the UK and Norway. Please meet Tim Hare, Council Member of the Norwegian-British Chamber of Commerce.
Thank you so much for taking the time to talk to us, Tim. Can you please tell us about yourself?
Tim Hare, Regional Head of Sales UK & Ireland, DNV, Energy Systems. I started my working life at 16 years old as an apprentice at Lindsey Oil Refinery in Immingham. After my apprenticeship I went to university to study electrical engineering, (more importantly I met my now wife) and returned back to the refinery as a technician, before starting a graduate training scheme at large Steel Works in Scunthorpe. After many happy years in heavy industry, my wife decided to move to London and I followed 6 months later, where I started to work for KBR in the government and defence sector, after multiple stints abroad in some very in hospitable places I made the move to DNV where I have been for 9 years now. I started at DNV in a technical role and moved into management after a year or two, which is where I am now. I am responsible for sales and business development in the Energy Systems business unit, where we provide services and solutions to companies and governments in the Energy sector.
I’m married and have a son who is 3, we are also expecting our second child at the end of September, we live in London, where we have been for over a decade. I’d like to say I have hobbies, I definitely did, I guess I still do, but with a toddler in the family, they get a lot of attention. That said I am still very much into music, I’m an avid collector of records and we love going to live events, I cant wait to get back out to see some live music!
How have you and/or your company/sector responded to Brexit OR Covid-19; are there lessons here that can inspire others?
It has been a very tough year for businesses in general over the last 18months, fortunately DNV were able to adapt very quickly to changing markets and new ways of working. The biggest lesson has been trusting each other, externally we have been able to have many more open and honest conversations with our customers, we supported them and trusted that they would not forget and they didn’t. We trusted that our workforce would step up to the challenge, and they did, above and beyond our expectations and that our customers would be loyal, it was hard work, but I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.
What are your thoughts on the relationship between Norway and the UK going forward?
We share the same challenges and we are generally very similar, not that a Norwegian or Brit would openly admit! There is so much to share if we care to be curious, I hope that DNV and other similar organisations can lead by example, being the bridge across the North Sea.
What would you say are the benefits of being a member/involved/work with/being on the board of; the NBCC?
Its hard work sharing and being curious, NBCC facilitate this and make it a lot easier for our organisation to communicate and build relationships with other members, who at first may not seem relevant. With relationships comes trust and ultimately opportunity.
Can you offer advice to others who work along the Norwegian-British axis?
Samhandling er nøkkelen! Trust and empathy is key for collaboration. Then everything is possible together…
