Andrew Narayn-Barrow
My role as Head of Estate is to oversee the Hethel Engineering Centre, from strategy, to operations, to finance, to community, ultimately it is my responsibility! On the day-to-day, my wonderful team keep the centre running, and so my focus is on supporting them in their ability to do that. Larger projects and strategy are obviously a big part of my role, where we look at improvements we can make to site and what would best benefit the community of businesses here. What I enjoy most is the unpredictable element of it all, every possible strange problem and encounter has happened since I’ve been here and the enjoyment for me is the continuous opportunity to problem solve.
My experience is very varied and honestly makes little sense, I tend to approach things with an experimental mindset and not worry about the long term. I studied Climate and Atmospheric Science in Leeds before moving to Madrid to teach English as a second language for a year (And to learn Spanish myself!). During that I decided I wanted to run my own business and to work in TV / Film when I came back to the UK. After Spain I moved to Norwich with my partner and worked in TV for around 4 years, working my way up to 1st AC and being incredibly lucky to work on shows for Netflix, Sky and the BBC. At the same time, I was running two business, a videography company and an alternative bakery with my partner. All that eventually lead me to joining Hethel as a member of the Business Support team to work with local businesses as part of a funded business support project, until eventually moving to take over Hethel Engineering Centre in 2020. Generally, I approach things with a mindset of just pursuing things that interest me, and it seems to have worked out so far!
If you could be on any TV Show, what would it be and why?
SAS Who Dares Wins. I like to think I am mentally tough, and I think that show would absolutely prove otherwise in a nice multi-camera format preserved into the media archives for all eternity.
You’re stranded on a deserted island and can only bring one meal with you to eat indefinitely, what would it be and why?
How does it work in this scenario? Does the pizza guy come with me? Or do I get the recipe and can make it myself? Maybe there’s just a suspicious infinite supply of food like some weird Lost remake. I don’t mind I’d just like to know. Either way I’d pick proper Neapolitan pizza, made by some guy who’s been up at 4am mixing dough and making sauce, and who feels strongly about where his ingredients come from.
What would your coworkers be surprised to learn about you?
I have a black belt in Shodokan Aikido and have competed internationally, albeit with little success.
What 3 things in your bag can’t you live without?
Nothing, if I could get away with never even having a bag that would be perfect.