Andy Street’s Journey: From Engineering to City Transformation
Last week at the Bristol Spring Burger and Beer Night, Andy Street shared a compelling story of his life’s journey, weaving together lessons of faith, surrender, and a passion for transforming Bristol. For those who couldn’t join us, here’s a glimpse into Andy’s heartfelt reflections, his key milestones, and the wisdom he imparted to inspire us all.
Andy Street (right) with Paul Taylor
A Humble Beginning and a Faithful Foundation
Andy began by painting a picture of his roots, growing up in South London with proud Yorkshire heritage. Raised in a Christian home, his faith was a cornerstone from an early age.
After studying civil engineering in London, Andy expected a straightforward career path. He worked for a consultancy, married Marion, and moved to Bristol in 1980 for a job opportunity, despite Marion’s hopes of settling in Yorkshire. “I wish I could say I prayed about it, but I took the job and we were moving to Bristol,” he admitted with a chuckle. They settled in Bristol, and after struggling with church for 6 years moved to Stoke Bishop and joined Highgrove Church (later Woodlands) and began building a life together.
A Career of Growth and Letting Go
Andy’s professional journey took him from a junior consultancy role to becoming a partner with a national business, only to face a cultural shift when the firm was acquired by an American company. At 40, feeling unfulfilled, he co-founded a new environmental consultancy with four colleagues. “We were able to shape the culture,” he said, noting how the business grew from five to 500 people in a decade, eventually expanding now, nearly 30 years on to 5,000 globally. His engineering focus shifted to environmental sustainability, advising on waste management and renewable energy projects.
By his mid-40s, he thought he had it all— thriving business, church eldership, and a family with two children in good schools. But life took an unexpected turn when his daughter, Emma, became profoundly ill. “I thought I had everything, but it was like fine sand slipping through my fingers,” he shared. This challenging period forced Andy to confront his faith. “I was angry with God for a year or so, but I had a choice: stay frustrated or trust the faith I professed.”
Through daily prayer with Marion, Andy learned to trust God in a way he’d never done before, even when answers weren’t immediate. Emma’s eventual recovery was a turning point, teaching him to hold life’s “trophies” loosely—career, status, and achievements. At 50, he stepped back from the business board and eldership, reducing his work to four days a week. “It was like a load off my back,” he said, reflecting on the freedom of simply letting go, holding things lightly and trusting God.
A New Calling: Serving Bristol
As Andy released his grip on professional ambitions, God opened his eyes to Bristol’s needs. “I started noticing people in doorways—homeless, struggling. I couldn’t walk past them anymore,” he said. This newfound awareness led him to engage with the city’s challenges, particularly injustice and inequality. He became involved with Crisis Centre Ministries (now inHope) and helped establish FareShare in Bristol, dedicating time to serve the marginalized.
Over the years, Andy’s role in the business reduced as it grew through several private equity investments. By retirement age, he transitioned to more of a consultancy role, freeing up more time to focus on Bristol. “As I let go of the business, God blessed it,” he reflected, emphasizing the power of an open-handed posture and approach to life.
Lessons for Life and Business
Andy shared three core principles—unity, relationships, and community—that he believes are essential for transforming a city, running a business, or living faithfully:
Unity: “Unity is so important to God,” Andy said, citing Psalm 133. He highlighted the need for organizations and churches to work together, setting aside differences to serve the city effectively. This spirit of collaboration and partnership is just as important in any context – church,business, charity, etc.
Relationships: Andy reflected on the importance of relationships. “The enemy loves to destroy relationships, but God seeks to bless and enrich them,” he noted. Building trust through relationships in time creates trust, which brings influence, and this can spark change. In your business, investing in relationships in with your team and your client base is fundamental to success – it’s a Kingdom thing!
Community: Andy emphasized the power of gathering intentionally. “Jesus loves community—read the Gospels, and you’ll see it,” he said. Whether in a workplace lunch or a city-wide initiative, community fosters hope and connection.
Wisdom for the Journey
When asked what he’d tell his younger self, Andy offered timeless advice: “Listen more, value relationships, and pursue God’s heart.” He encouraged the audience to seek God’s heart in their work and lives, whether in business or charity. “It’s not about what you collect, but what you carry—faith, kindness, gratitude. Those are the treasures that last,” he quoted, sharing a poignant reflection from a prayer his wife had just shared with him.
Andy’s story is a testament to God’s redemptive work. From a driven engineer to a servant of Bristol, his journey shows how letting go of personal ambitions can open doors to greater impact. “When you’re open to exploring what God has for you, He uses your skills and experiences, He redeems even the tough stuff,” he said.