Meet the people behind Engage: Rich Ward, Account Director at Engage Works.

Rich Ward , Account Director at Engage Works , brings a wealth of experience to his role, with a career spanning nearly 30 years. Over this time, Rich has navigated various facets of the industry, from creative AV to interactive software development and content production. His colleagues describe him as the friendliest guy in the office, a testament to his calm and communicative nature. Outside work, you can find Rich spending time with his kids and attending gigs - and even taking his kids to gigs (yes, he really is the coolest dad). Rich is excited about the future of Engage Works and envisions greatness in the company's trajectory.

1. Name: Rich Ward
2. Job title:?Account Director?
3. What is your skill set and expertise??Core to my role are; communication, relationship building and presenting. More broadly, I'm pretty solid on workshop strategies and experiential insight.??
4. Can you provide a summary of your career history up until now??I’ve always had a Client Services role interwoven with some PMing and production for interactive projects, installations and content production.?I’ve worked for four companies in nearly 30 years. I started working in creative AV in the mid-90s, focusing on interactive software development projects from 2000, and then worked in content production and digital from 2007, ultimately joining Engage Works in 2014.?
5. What do you think are the best skills that you bring to your job??Communication, clarity of thought and calmness.
6. How do you think your colleagues would describe you??As the friendliest guy in the office (on most days).
7. What publications do you regularly read??The Economist and Private Eye, although YouTube has fast become a go to inform my world view, if I can only stay one step ahead of the algorithm!
8. What are you happiest doing when you’re not working??Spending time with my kids, my girlfriend, my mates, watching movies or at a gig.
9. How has your career created value in your life??As much as I enjoy my role & the day to day of my job, it’s added value to my life primarily in the people I've met & the places I've been. I've had some of my best & most fun times courtesy of work. ?
10. Do you have any regrets regarding your career path??It’s not something I really think about, which I guess speaks for itself, perhaps apart from the fact that I was born to be a drummer and live the rock and roll lifestyle.?
11. What is your most significant accomplishment in your career??Remaining happy and fulfilled.
12. Set aside formal education; what are the career life lessons you have learned??To be myself and respect others as in life.
13. What is the unique point of view that only you can share about your industry??I don’t know, but if there is an answer, it will take more time and space than I have here. Happy to get philosophical over a pint…
14. How did you get into this line of work??Creative Tech - Luck?Client Services - It’s a thing I’m a natural at and enjoy?
15. Who is/was your greatest mentor??I couldn’t say. I take inspiration from all around me but have never had a desire to formalise such a thing.
16. What is it about Engage Works that attracted you to the company??I feel like we’re a really good fit, company culture, type of projects and my specific role and responsibilities.?
17. Which Engage Works ethos resonates most with you??I love a discovery phase, an opportunity to get under the skin of the client's ambition and vision and knowing that our creative-led solution will effectively do the job it needs. This makes sure the picture in our head matches the picture in the client's!
18. What is it about Engage Works that keeps you coming back every day??My bike and/or the Jubilee line.
19. Which Engage Works projects are you most excited about??Those where the story telling, experience & creative technology application perfectly align.
20. What does the future hold for Engage Works??Greatness?

A huge thank you to Rich for taking the time to share his wisdom despite his busy schedule. Stay tuned for more interviews with our team members in the coming weeks!