5 minutes with … Hester King at Whitbread

2025-10-13T06:00:00

Hester King, Whitbread Project and Programme Manager, August 2025 (cropped)

The project and programme manager on her journey through the company’s graduate trainee scheme, converting a listed police station into a Premier Inn, the problems (and advantages) of perfectionism and what she would do if she could fly

Why did you choose construction as a career?

I fell into the career but fell on my feet – I started out on Whitbread’s graduate scheme and was lucky to have some inspiring mentors and completely fell in love with the industry. My parents worked in the property world, so I knew a bit about it but was surprised at how much construction fitted my personality.

I always knew I wanted to be active and on the move rather than behind a desk, but during my time on the scheme I also realised how much I enjoyed the communication and client-facing side to construction.

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