The firm’s head of digital delivery has more than 18 years’ experience in architecture, engineering and construction. She would be happy to tell you the weekend’s sports scores… before they happen
Why did you choose construction as a career?
Honestly, I didn’t choose it, I landed in it by chance. I started out 20 years ago as a document controller for an international architectural practice. That is when I fell in love with the pace and the people.
Construction gets stereotyped as just hard hats and muddy boots, but it is so much more than that: the complexity, the problem-solving, the people and the opportunities.
What are you most proud of in your career to date?
Building a career that spans large-scale projects, digital innovation and leadership. A lot of my recent work has been about helping organisations to move from paper chaos to actually usable digital asset information. It has not always been easy, but I have built it deliberately, with purpose.
What has been the biggest challenge of your career to date?
For the longest time, digital transformation was seen as risky, expensive and disruptive – basically a distraction from real work. Trying to drive change when the people, systems and culture are not ready for it can be tough. You need patience, persistence and a thick skin. I have learnt a lot along the way.
If you could change one thing about the industry, what would it be?
Two things, actually. First, I would love to see more women not just join but actually progress in construction. Diversity isn’t a box-ticking exercise, it genuinely makes teams better.
Second, I wish digital and data were treated as strategic priorities rather than nice-to-haves.
What is the most helpful advice that you have been given?
Take it one step at a time. Don’t get overwhelmed by the mountain ahead, just focus on what you can do today.
Name your favourite building in the world?
I love different buildings for different reasons, but the one that recently impressed me most for its adaptive reuse is the Port House in Antwerp. It is this bold, sculptural addition sitting on top of a historic fire station. The way they have blended old and new is just brilliant.
Which famous building do you wish you had worked on?
The Bernabéu Stadium renovation in Madrid, hands down. I watched a video by Fred Mills from The B1M about it recently, and the structural innovation combined with digital design and operational flexibility is just incredible.
I would also have loved to work on 1000 Trees in Shanghai – such an imaginative approach to architecture and green space.
What single piece of advice would you give to someone starting out in your profession?
Be open to every opportunity. And don’t underestimate your soft skills – communication, empathy, collaboration. They will often take you further than you think.
Who do you most admire in the construction industry?
The women who broke into rooms where they weren’t welcome and then held the door open for the rest of us. And anyone, at any level, who is willing to challenge how things have always been done and actually use their voice to push the industry forward.
What is it like being you (and doing your job)?
Busy, challenging, rewarding. I work where people, technology and delivery all meet, so no two days look the same. That is exactly what I love about it.
Do you have a life philosophy?
Make a difference where you can and never stop learning.
What do you think your best quality is?
Resilience. It is what keeps me going when things get difficult.
What trait do you most dislike in yourself? And in other people?
In myself, impatience. I want things done yesterday. In others, dishonesty or dodging accountability really gets to me.
Name three things that you like
Travel, good company, and laughing until my face hurts.
Tell us about a secret skill that we don’t know you have
My family refuses to believe this, but I can predict sports scores with weird accuracy. Still working out how to monetise it so they will actually take me seriously.
What is your most prized possession?
I have thought about this, and I don’t really have one object that fits. What I value most is my health, my family and my dog. They are what make everything else worthwhile.
Early bird or night owl?
Early bird. I am sharpest in the morning.
What is your favourite food?
I have recently rediscovered Chinese food, and forgot how much I love it.
What would your superpower be?
Time-stretching. A few extra hours in the day whenever I need them would be game-changing.
No comments yet