Interview with vHive Project Officer Adam Trish

We’re rapidly expanding at vHive and are so very pleased to welcome our newest member of the team and family – Project Officer Adam Trish. Adam joins us after working as Global Project Coordinator at CNL Software, a world leader in Physical Security Information Management (PSIM) software. At CNL he created and defined the project forecasting methodology to enable monthly KPI metric reporting to management and established roll out and measures for the Project Delivery Process and Methodology for delivering CNL’s software projects. We’re excited for him to bring his analytical mind and help to grease our Veterinary Health Innovation Engine.

And what better way to join Adam to the team then a friendly getting to know you grilling.. we mean interview!

Who are you?

I’m Adam Harrison Trish, I’m 31 and live in Midhurst, West Sussex. I’ve been down south for 11 years but I grew up in Formby in the North West.

What’s your personal philosophy?

Be kind, get involved, be enthusiastic, don’t take yourself too seriously, love what you like and be proud of it. My mum always uses a phrase, ‘You could be dead tomorrow’ she has a way with words but she is right; take advantage of every opportunity and say yes to everything that comes your way.

Can you tell us the story of your employment journey?

I started my career with a big corporate where I managed the finance and commercial portion on Offshore Renewable Energy Windfarm construction projects; I really enjoyed the tangibility of being part of the erection of new technology out at sea that delivers sustainable green energy. I have managed projects for a Product Design House and more recently I worked for a software company within their PMO.

How you first got involved in with project management?

I was recruited onto the Siemens Commercial Academy whereby I worked full time and I was sponsored to do a full-time degree. This was a commercial and finance management programme whereby trainees rotate on placements across the UK covering commercial, corporate finance, corporate tax, sales, marketing, business excellence and compliance placements within various operating companies whilst studying for a BA (Hons) Business Management & Finance. Project Management was a natural progression from this and I really enjoy it.

What do you find most challenging about project management?

Projects by their very nature are constantly changing and evolving; the trick is to know how to manage this process and keep everyone involved happy. Communication and stakeholder management are key to the success of well-run projects. I like to know who has an interest and how do we serve their needs in terms of interaction with the project and their interest in it.

What was your first impression of vHive?

My first impression of vHive was that it is this new, sleek innovation hub filled with creative, passionate and interesting people. When I arrived for the interview I thought, ‘this is where I want to be’! It has been less than a week into my new role and my first impression still stands true!

If you weren’t doing project management, what would you be doing instead, or what would your life be like?

In my early twenties, I did a lot of traveling so if I had no commitments and an endless supply of money then I would love to travel and be a photojournalist. A viable alternative to what I do now would be a building surveyor; I like old buildings and understanding how they were put together. I renovated my first house and I really enjoyed the process but I am also interested in how our environment affects how we live.

What’s your first memory of working with animals?

I grew up in Australia so one of my earliest memories of animals was when my brother and I decided to free the budgies my parents kept; I like to think that we were revolutionaries at 7 years old but alas no, we were just badly behaved! When I was a teenager I worked on a hunter yard where they sold hunters and eventers. I would break in youngsters and be their crash test rider when we had new horses come into the yard. My long legs and ability to stare danger in the horse’s mouth was tested during this time. I think I learned a lot about communication from horses; they are very emotionally complex animals and if you learn how to communicate with them then they will give you everything.

And what has been your biggest achievement or success?

My biggest success professionally would be when I claimed back £1.5 million back from HMRC. I discovered a loophole in our internal processes where we were not taking advantage of a duty rate we could claim. The business was not aware of this so I investigated it, created a process and the business reaped the rewards. I got a lot of satisfaction knowing that I contributed to bottom line to that degree. Personally, I bought my house off my own bat and I’m really proud of this. I have great friends and a fantastic boyfriend so I am happy and that’s what counts!

What’s your must-read book?

Alone in Berlin by Hans Fallada is utterly brilliant. It takes the subtle act of resistance through a hopeless medium (messages on anonymous postcards) but however small your input you can contribute to the noise. If you have an opinion then voice it, if you want to change something then do it.

Who’s your most inspirational person?

The American HIV activist Peter Staley is my hero. He campaigned, raised awareness, took on the big pharma companies, the government, the media and had a massive impact on my community; I find him hugely inspirational. I did an interview for a magazine where I mentioned him; he contacted me and I was blown away. On world Aids day I was able to meet him when he introduced a film documentary about Act Up the HIV activist group he cofounded in New York. I thanked him for what he has done and told him that we all owe him a debt of gratitude. How to Survive a Plague is the documentary and I highly recommend it to anyone!

And can you tell us something weird or interesting about yourself?

I keep chickens and decided to make my own incubator to hatch out some chicks. When they were hatching I made my partner stand back so I was the first person they saw; I’m convinced they think I am their favourite.