Why did you choose to join Mott MacDonald?
Mott MacDonald is a company that is well respected in many different fields and with its size and multisector capability, brings a varied workload.
What is the best thing about your job/role?
Engineering in the construction industry is not solely a career choice for those interested in hands on experience of working things, but is a profession that combines a varied and challenging intellectual environment with the need to mix with and influence people from many different backgrounds and professions.
How would you describe the culture of Mott MacDonald?
With the status as an employee-owned company Mott MacDonald has an inclusive and caring culture. The managers are accessible and supportive and the staff are respected for their contributions.
How would you describe your role and responsibilities to friends or family?
I currently manage a team at Mott MacDonald that provides advice to a range of different stakeholders with respect to sustainable energy and other resource solutions for diverse projects; from individual buildings to multiphased mixed use developments of up to 10,000 new homes, nationally and internationally. I am also deeply involved in the Mott MacDonald cities initiative, as global cities practice lead. The initiative involves bringing together the depth and breadth of Mott MacDonald’s skills to respond to the global trend towards city living, meaning I work with colleagues across the globe, raising our profile and collating/disseminating best practice.
What were your favourite subjects at school?
In education, maths was my thing, but once I graduated I realised I didn't know what one does with a maths degree apart from teaching, defence or some variation on accountancy, none of which appealed to me. It took me several years to find something that held resonance as a long term career prospect. That was 22 years ago, I am now a project director at Mott MacDonald Fulcrum.
What would be your ideal future role?
A role that provides me with enough gravitas to: find ever more effective ways to influence behaviour with respect to climate change, forge a path for women in the construction industry and to keep acquiring and disseminating knowledge.