Who got that job?

Communications manager, Telecom

A life long interest in computers and information technology has helped bring Steve Pettigrew from BAE Systems - formerly British Aerospace - in Britain to Auckland.

He was recruited to BAE from Manchester Metropolitan University where he obtained a BSc Honours degree in information systems.

He spent 15 years working across the company in roles such as internal communications advisor, public affairs manager and left the company as London-based director of parliamentary relations.

"BAE Systems is such a big organisation - it employs more than 100,000 people - that although I spent quite some time in one organisation it was equivalent to working for a number of companies as I moved to different jobs around Britain every two or so years," he said.

His last role in Britain was representing the company to Members of Parliament and moving in the wider political arena.

"My customers then included politicians and Government departments," he said.

"Now my customers are corporates so it is very much a different role for me here."

Pettigrew says he never really felt the urge to leave BAE Systems until he decided to move his career back into the IT sector.

"It was hard to leave," he said. "The fact I ended up in New Zealand is a bonus, but it was the job that really drew me - no matter where the job was based I would have applied for it."

His first project at Telecom is advising on the information, communications and technology side of Telecom Advanced Solutions' acquisition of IT company Gen-i.

"My role is around the communications, I'm working in a team that is formulating the evolved Gen-i brand, future advertising campaigns and what the change means to employees," he said.

"My role is really concentrated on the corporate sector and while it is much smaller than Britain's, it demands the same level of professionalism from communications so you look after it in exactly the same manner."

Now six weeks into his role Pettigrew says he is enjoying his work in Telecom and is looking forward to adding to his work experience and to his first New Zealand summer.

POCKET CV

Name: Steve Pettigrew

Age: 35

EXPERIENCE

* 2001-2003 Director parliamentary relations, BAE Systems

* 1999-2001 Head of communications, BAE Systems

* 1997-1999 Public affairs manager, British Aerospace Airbus