Sid Scull

Describe what the Mott Mac Life means to you in three words

Collaboration, flexibility, excellence.

What do you enjoy about working here?

I really enjoy the collaborative culture. I have found that you can reach out to almost anyone around the world and they are willing to provide their time and expertise to help out.

Tell us about your specialism and why you chose it

I’m a transport planner, which involves establishing the strategy, policy, and plans to make it easier for people to get around, as well as designing the supporting infrastructure and services. My specialism is cycling, which is something that I kind of fell into in my first job, but now my friends and colleagues all think of me as ‘the cycling guy’.

Why did you choose to join Mott MacDonald?

The transport team in New Zealand had only been established six months before I joined, and I was attracted by the opportunity to help build the team from scratch. Being able to have a tangible impact on the success of the organisation was really appealing, as was the independence that comes from employee-ownership.

How has your career progressed since joining?

I feel like I have been given the freedom and responsibility to take on the challenges that appeal to me. As a result, I have been able to pursue opportunities that align with my professional interests and become recognised as a specialist in this area.

What have you learnt while working at Mott MacDonald?

You’re in charge of your own career, and that means both identifying the direction you want to take and plotting a course to achieve those goals.But, also making the most of opportunities that come your way, even if they weren’t part of the original plan!

How do you demonstrate Technical Excellence in your work?

I always like to get the basics right and then build from there. I try to keep a close eye on emerging trends and approaches both locally and globally and look for ways to adapt and integrate this thinking into my work.

How do you contribute to Mott MacDonald making a difference to people and the planet?

My typical projects are usually aimed at making it easier for people to travel in more sustainable ways that have less of an impact on the environment. This might be through designing safe cycleways, developing initiatives to help encourage people to change how they travel, reducing car dependence, or securing government funding for new cycling and public transport projects.

Where in the world has your role taken you?

I spent a year working for Mott MacDonald in Edinburgh and was fortunate to travel to Shetland for a few days for one of our projects. The landscape was amazing, and the project meant we got to see a lot of the island (or as much as you can see in the six hours of daylight you get in December).

What are your career highlights and achievements?

Transport planners are typically involved at the start of projects which means it can take a long time to see the impact of our work. This makes it more rewarding when things you have worked on finally get built or come into practice. Being a part of the Mott MacDonald Emerging Leaders programme and becoming a Full Member of the New Zealand Planning Institute (NZPI) are other big career highlights.

Are you involved in any additional initiatives at Mott MacDonald, aside from your day-to-day role?

I am the transport planning practice lead for New Zealand, which means I am responsible for promoting technical excellence and innovation within the discipline locally. I am also our Asia Pacific, New Zealand and Australia  active transport lead and work closely with colleagues across the region to share our technical skills and expertise.