Some people find their career path in unexpected ways. For Jim Bennett, a chance conversation at 19 set him on a journey through some of the UK’s largest infrastructure projects all the way to becoming General Manager at CTS.
Today, Jim leads a growing region spanning multiple laboratories, but his story began with a decision that changed everything.
A Career Built From the Ground Up
Jim didn’t follow the traditional route into engineering. He’d planned to study civil engineering at university, until his father phoned him one afternoon with a different suggestion.
A laboratory manager working on a major project had said “If your son has a brain in his head, he’ll go far in this industry.”
That blunt vote of confidence set the foundation for everything that followed.
Instead of university, Jim joined Morgan Sindall as a Laboratory Technician on the M74 Completion Project. Over the next three years he gained deep, hands-on experience before progressing to Senior Technician and later Laboratory Supervisor with Morrison Construction on the Queensferry Crossing project.
He quickly proved that work ethic, curiosity, and practical problem-solving can build a career just as effectively as academic study.
Rising Through the Industry
By 25, Jim stepped into his first commercial laboratory management role at ESG. Over four years he moved up to Deputy Operations Manager, handling complex operations and large-scale projects.
In 2019, he took on the role of Operations Manager at Trojan Testing, a smaller independent lab where he helped expand their UKAS scope, secured major new clients and oversaw investment in both people and equipment. Under his leadership, Trojan became one of Scotland’s strongest materials testing providers.
Seeking a new challenge, Jim joined CMTL as Business Unit Manager for Scotland later taking on responsibility for Penrith and Warrington. Following the merger with CTS, Jim played a key role in strengthening the national network before being promoted to General Manager.
His journey reflects what’s possible through consistency, ambition and hands-on experience.
Why CTS? Growth, Momentum & Opportunity
When asked what keeps him at CTS, Jim is clear “Since the merger we’ve continued to invest in people, equipment and accreditations at a rate I’ve never seen anywhere else.”
CTS’s rapid growth has created constant opportunities, new regions, new services and new responsibilities. Jim’s own role evolved just as quickly:
“I’ve been promoted to General Manager because the role keeps evolving. Every year there’s a new challenge to take on.”
This momentum is what continues to drive him.
Leading with Purpose
Jim now oversees a large, multi-site operation. His leadership style is built on trust, clarity and steady guidance being someone his team can rely on, especially during busy or challenging periods.
One of the achievements he’s most proud of is building a strong leadership team across the region, personally recruiting many of the people now shaping CTS’s success. “This group has become the backbone of the region and the driving force behind our consistent growth and reputation.”
What Success Looks Like
For Jim, success comes down to three pillars,
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Growing profitably — expanding capability and winning the right projects without compromising quality or safety.
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Operational excellence — laboratories running smoothly, assessments passed, deadlines met, and clients returning because they trust our work.
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A thriving team — people progressing, being promoted, enjoying development opportunities, and feeling genuinely invested.
When these align, he says, everything else follows naturally.
A Bigger Impact Than He Ever Expected
Jim admits his understanding of the industry has changed dramatically over time.
“When I started, I thought the job was simply producing accurate test results and clocking off. All these years later, I understand we’re the final technical checkpoint on every project.”
He emphasises the real-world impact of the work CTS does: testing that prevents future failures, saves clients from costly reworks, and keeps infrastructure safe and durable.
That responsibility is something he’s proud of and something he tries to pass on to others joining the industry.
Advice for Anyone Starting Out
Jim believes that the best careers are often built step by step, through consistency, curiosity and a willingness to take on whatever comes your way.
His advice to anyone entering the industry whether in the lab, on site, or in a technical role is grounded in the lessons he learned early on:
“Don’t worry about having the perfect plan on day one. Just turn up, ask questions, and do every job properly.”
For Jim, reliability mattered more than trying to impress. The people who grow the fastest, he says, are the ones who focus on getting the fundamentals right, accuracy, effort, attitude, and learning from every task, no matter how small.
He adds:
“Don’t try to prove how clever you are, just prove how reliable you are.”
This mindset carried him from his first technician role all the way to General Manager. Every promotion came from demonstrating consistency, taking responsibility, and embracing opportunities as they appeared even when he didn’t know exactly where they would lead.
Jim’s career shows that you don’t need to have everything figured out at the start. What matters is showing up, doing the work well, and letting each experience build the foundation for the next.
Jim’s Journey at CTS
Jim Bennett’s story is a powerful example of how far you can go with practical experience, ambition and the right opportunities. From a 19 year old technician to General Manager leading multiple laboratories his career shows what’s possible within CTS and the wider Phenna Group.
His journey is driven by hard work, integrity, and a genuine commitment to quality values that sit at the heart of CTS.