From graduate to Head of Business Management: Leigh’s journey at Expleo
“I joined straight out of university in 2012, and I’ve never looked back.”
Leigh began his Expleo journey through the graduate scheme, joining the nuclear business unit as a fresh-faced mechanical engineer. Straight from university, he was drawn to the variety of projects and opportunities to explore different paths within engineering.
“I didn’t want to specialise too early because I liked everything about engineering. Expleo gave me the freedom to try different things and figure out where I wanted to go.”
From day one, Leigh was thrown into meaningful project work. What stood out for him was the chance to move across sectors, teams, and disciplines – something he now sees as a defining feature of the company’s early careers experience.
Opportunities you make for yourself
Leigh’s career took a pivotal turn early on when he spotted an internal opportunity to shadow the then-head of aerospace. With little more than a notebook and some confidence, he walked into the office and asked for a chat. That bold move landed him the role.
“It was a bit brave; I didn’t really know him at the time, but I figured if it sounded like an opportunity, I should say yes.”
That decision led to two years of close involvement in senior-level business operations across Europe. From Paris to Hamburg, Leigh gained hands-on exposure to leadership, bid writing, project management, and business development.
Support beyond the job
In recent years, Leigh completed an MBA alongside his full-time role, using Expleo as a real-life case study. He credits not just the formal flexibility but also the encouragement and support from colleagues across the business.
“So many people helped me, answering surveys, offering insights, just cheering me on. That’s what I’ll always remember, how much support came from across the organisation.”
Leigh’s advice to future graduates
“Keep an open mind. I joined as an engineer, and although I don’t do engineering at all now, I still love it. You never know where you’ll end up. Be flexible, take opportunities, and stay curious.”
