Alumni profile 

Richard Lancaster 
Commercial Director - CLP Power Hong Kong Limited 

Qualifications: 
Bachelor of Engineering 

Class of :1983

What did you want to be when you grew up?
At school I had my heart set on being some sort of scientist and working for either a university or the CSIRO. My high school careers advisor eventually persuaded me that this wasn't going to be a lucrative career choice, and job opportunities were pretty limited. Engineering was a more pragmatic choice!

First full time job
I started out as a trainee with the Electricity Commission of NSW as it was known in those days. I spent my early career working in some pretty remote locations throughout N.S.W. including Wagga Wagga, Tamworth, Muswellbrook and the Central Coast. Eventually I saw the need to settle down and went back to work in Sydney. I took this opportunity to move into a new industry.

Current job description
I look after CLP's commercial affairs. At the moment, I spend most of my time on the major environmental initiatives that CLP is currently taking forward. These include importing Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) to replace our current pipeline gas supply that is nearly exhausted, practically assessing the feasibility of wind energy in Hong Kong, sourcing ultra clean coals to reduce air emissions and fitting the latest emissions reduction equipment to our coal fired power plant. I find this work particularly rewarding. As a father of two children living in Hong Kong for more than 14 years, it's rare to have an opportunity in your career to be in charge of big projects that will help to improve the environment in Hong Kong on such a dramatic scale.

Your strengths
Building a good team of people and working together to achieve best results.

Your weaknesses
I like challenges; particularly new ones, but I have a tendency to set myself very ambitious targets and then not be satisfied until I've achieved them. Sometimes this means I drive myself too hard and let my life get out of balance.

Best job I've ever had
I spent a few years working in the brewing industry for the Fosters Brewing Group. I met some real characters there, had a lot of fun at work, and on top of this they gave away a free beer allowance every month. What more could you want?

Mentor or greatest inspiration
I think this would have to be my parents. They gave me the basic skills to get on in life, the courage to go and take risks and the confidence to stand up and do what you think is right.

Career ethic
Be prepared to work hard to deliver results, but make sure you have some fun while you're doing it.

Where do I hope to be in 10-15 years?
Hopefully cruising around the world on my luxury yacht. If not, I'll still be working towards it!