Henry Ropner

Degree: 2004 BNG Civil Engineering and Construction Management, the University of Edinburgh

Current role: Chairman, SFG20

My family has Scottish roots, so I was drawn to The University of Edinburgh for personal reasons, but mainly due to the international reputation for academic excellence. The city itself is vibrant, historic, and intellectually stimulating, and the University’s Engineering programme stood out to me for its breadth, research focus, and emphasis on real-world application. The civil and environmental engineering department was a natural fit for my long-standing interest in both the built & natural environment.

Edinburgh has some of the most beautiful architecture in the world, and it was a great privilege to study in a UNESCO World Heritage site with an established reputation for both scientific and architectural excellence. 

How did you get to where you are?

A curious mind has probably been the single biggest reason behind my career to date. I have always been someone who has sought new challenges and lifelong learning. 

Having finished my undergraduate degree in engineering, I completed a Masters in finance at the University of Edinburgh Business School, which pivoted my career into the world of accountancy and finance. 

My first job was on the PricewaterCooper (PWC) graduate programme, based in London, where I worked with a large number of high-growth and entrepreneurial-led clients. I qualified with the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) after three years and decided it was time to move into the world of corporate finance, so I took a role at Lehman Brothers in their mergers and acquisitions team. That did not last very long as they went bust shortly after I joined! But I was lucky enough to secure a role in a UK focused private equity fund focused on high-growth technology-enabled businesses. During my time working in the private equity industry, I invested in some of the UK's most successful high-growth businesses. 

In my current role as Chairman of SFG20 (a building maintenance company), I oversee the company strategy, corporate development, governance and senior leadership team. Day-to-day, that means a mix of strategic planning, stakeholder meetings, and problem-solving—no two days are ever the same, which keeps the work exciting. I have also really enjoyed being able to combine my love of engineering with my passion for technology as part of the role - this has definitely been a highlight! 

Can you tell us of any personal or professional achievements in your career?

I would not say there has been one single achievement that stands out from the rest. It is probably the journey that I now look back on which I value the most, and is in itself the highlight. My recent work with SFG20 has been hugely rewarding. As an investor and non-executive chairman, any success is in large part due to the hard work and dedication of a skilled and knowledgeable management team. I am very proud of the team we have built recently at SFG20 - they have done some remarkable things over the past couple of years to support compliance within the built environment. 

I have been lucky to have had a wide-ranging career which has allowed me to be involved in a number of different sectors. I have always learnt more from the times that things have not worked, rather than when things have gone to plan. I think learning that failure is part of success is probably the best lesson I have learnt over the years. This is worth more than any professional qualification or achievement.  

What did you gain from your time at the University of Edinburgh, and were there any experiences during your time at university that helped you prepare for life after graduation?

My time at the University of Edinburgh was incredibly formative, both academically and personally. The University offered a rigorous academic environment that helped me develop strong analytical and communication skills, which have been essential in my professional life. But beyond the classroom, it was the student community and wide range of extracurricular opportunities that really shaped me.   I was involved in a number of student activities, including playing for student rugby teams, and exploring the Scottish Highlands with friends I made on campus. Living in Edinburgh, with its unique blend of history and innovation, was a huge amount of fun and the environment shaped my passion for the built environment.  My degree in Civil Engineering pushed me to think critically, engage with new ideas, and embrace challenges - something I have relied upon regularly during my professional career.  

An engineering degree gives you a fantastic grounding in critical thinking, which has a very broad application to life as a whole. The rigour and discipline required on the course are extremely high, and set any graduate up for life in the world of work, where accuracy, speed, and problem solving are highly valued. 

Do you have any highlights or a favourite memory of your time at the University of Edinburgh? 

This might sound like an odd one, but I spent some time on a work placement at the Edinburgh municipal wastewater treatment centre. With my flatmates off in Paris and Dublin researching their dissertations and having a lovely time, I was, at first, less than happy to be there. However, as I started to learn more about the biological process of how dirty water is turned back into drinking water, I could not help but be amazed by the science, especially as it was largely a natural, biological process – nature and microbiology working hand in hand with humans. My dissertation was on ground water contamination and mitigation techniques, so whilst this might not be everyone's first choice of work placement, I found it fascinating. It highlighted to me the importance of how we need to take great care of all aspects of our built and natural environment. They are intrinsically linked and if things are designed and operated in the right way, they can work harmoniously. I think that is probably one of the key pillars for anyone involved with the built environment in today’s world.  

What would be your advice to future students who are considering studying Engineering at the University of Edinburgh?

Keep your horizons open and be prepared to work harder than your peers. The hard work is worth it, and embrace the challenges. Engineering opens up a lot of doors post-university and closes very few, so keep an open mind as to what you might do after you finish your degree. At the moment, there is a real shortage of qualified engineers in the UK, so I would encourage anyone who wants to continue down the pure engineering route to do just that. Equally, if you want to go and explore other paths after your degree, then you have a grounding to pivot into a wide range of other careers. The degree is fun, but be prepared to put in the hours to get the most out of the learning experience.