Odran Madden, MD at Coffey

Odran shares highlights of his career at the premier family-owned Coffey Group. He reflects on his trajectory with the firm, favourite projects and most interesting challenges. The episode also looks ahead at the sustainability landscape, including a growing pressure to broaden the options available in terms of construction processes, materials and deployment. You’ll hear about some fascinating new technologies (like those behind Coffey’s mobile emergency waste treatment plant design) and why it’s so critical that students in Ireland receive plenty of exposure to the many upsides of a career in engineering. Odran also shares thoughts about the benefits of Continuing Professional Development programmes and the critical role EI plays in upholding a consistent gold standard across the engineering industry.TOPICS WE DISCUSSED INCLUDE

The M7 Motorway Project’s specific challenges and the creative solutions Coffey engineers found to make it all work. How Coffey culture emphasizes CPS and why it promotes growth and advancement through ongoing professional training and accreditation.  Lough Talt Water Treatment Plant How and why Coffey engineers designed a mobile emergency water treatment plant housed within a single 40-foot container The advantage of plug-and-play installations as a time- and labour-saver and China’s lightning-quick ability to design and build fully equipped hospitals using this modular construction. How “pilot” customers are deterred by perceived risk. Can you counter that anxiety with reassuring examples of successful work? About Coffey’s most pressing challenges from labour to finite opportunity. Odran’s predictions on the civil engineering sector, investment in housing, transport and energy and infrastructure improvements needed to support population growth and social demands. GUEST DETAILS

Odran Madden is a Chartered Engineer with over 20 years experience in the construction industry and over 15 years’ experience at management level undertaking civil engineering and building construction projects of varying scales, values and complexities. Odran has gained extensive knowledge and experience in water, wastewater, road, rail, energy and specialist engineering projects. His role is to ensure that all projects are completed safely, to a high standard, to our clients’ satisfaction and that the project teams are provided with the necessary technical support and resources. Odran holds BEng and LLB degrees, is a Chartered Engineer, Fellow of the Institute of Engineers of Ireland and an Associate of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators.QUOTES

“I quite enjoy working with water. It's very technically challenging, when you can take wastewater treatment to a safe and clean standard and give that water out to customers to drink, it’s very rewarding.”  “I've certainly come across resistance in Ireland to things like pre-cast concrete over in-situ concrete. Some people do have resistance but it's changing and becoming more and more the norm.” “We don't really like change … (but) we need to allow the new innovative ways to advance.” “If you're meeting strangers, they're less likely to accept something that's going to be a little bit different. So you do need to have strong relationships with people. That's why I think having that repeat business is so important to help you get stuff over the line.”
CONTACT DETAILShttps://www.coffeygroup.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/odran-madden-226bb144/ MORE INFORMATIONLooking for ways to explore or advance a career in the field of engineering? Visit Engineers Ireland to learn more about the many programs and resources on offer.