5 minutes with … Katharine Cary at Building Heritage & Co

What has been your biggest career challenge to date?

Without a doubt, project managing the covid memorial in St Paul’s Cathedral. It was both the most challenging and most rewarding project of my career. Even without the pressure of the understandable public and political spotlight, the work was carried out in a live cathedral environment and was the first intervention in St Paul’s for more than 150 years. It felt as though Sir Christopher Wren was looking over my shoulder.

Wren must have been happy, as earlier this year my new business was invited back to work on the conservation and restoration of the famous dome, ball and cross. To be invited to work at St Pauls Cathedral, Eton College and The Honourable Society of Middle Temple in our first year has been incredible.

If you could change one thing about the industry, what would it be?

Improving leadership. The quality of a leader can absolutely make or break a project and there just isn’t enough emphasis on training people in the softer skills needed to lead effectively. Perhaps it’s the word “softer” that’s part of the problem.

We still see too many people put into leadership positions because of their brilliant technical skills and/or longevity within the industry. I’m not saying these people can’t be really good leaders, but the training and support they need is so rarely in place.

Why did you choose construction as a career?

I always say it chose me. I was drawn to historic buildings and places from a young age and volunteered at a National Trust property from the age of 16 (I think I was the only person not there for the free slice of cake at lunchtime).

Over a number of years I worked on many different aspects of these estates and concluded that for me, it was the buildings that I was really attracted to. And I went on to study Historic Building Conservation at Kingston University.

What have you worked on that you’re most proud of?

The refurbishment of the Elizabeth Tower. It was a hugely challenging, multimillion-pound project with a high level of public and political interest. I walk past it frequently and get a real feeling of pride when I see the new stonework that the team installed. And it was a privilege to work with so many extraordinarily talented craftsmen and women.

What’s the most helpful advice you were given?

“Pick your values and live by them.” Working on something that doesn’t align is stressful and not enjoyable.

What is your favourite building in the world?

Charlcote Park, because that’s where my life in historic buildings and conservation started.

I’ve got so many fond memories from that time, including pulling sheep out of the river. (It turns out a lamb’s fleece acts like a sponge with water, making them incredibly heavy to lift – don’t try it).

It also inspired my company masthead logo so its influence lives on. If you haven’t visited the estate you should.

What single piece of advice would you give to someone starting out in your profession?

“You can’t control other people’s behaviours, but you can control yours.” Trying to control things you can’t is exhausting and can be demoralising. And unfortunately there are times when other people’s behaviours are less than ideal.

Who do you most admire in the construction industry?

Eleanor Coade. If you don’t know about her, look her up.

Eleanor was a highly successful businesswomen and craftswomen in the Georgian period. At the time when the industry was all men, she ran her own business making beautiful sculptures and reliefs with her own commercialised ‘Coade stone’ material that’s still outperforming a lot of what we use today.

Some of her work is still visible, over 200 years later, which says everything about the quality and longevity of what she created.

What famous building do you wish you’d worked on?

Notre-Dame, either building the original or working on the restoration. The scale of it, the craftsmanship, the history - it’s just incredible!

What building do you most dislike?

The Sagrada Família. Probably a controversial choice but when I visited I found it confusing and confused. I wonder if it’s because it’s the work of so many different hands?

What’s it like being you?

Free. I’m finding running my own business liberating and empowering. I love being able to choose who I work with and for.

What do you think your best quality is?

Someone recently described me as a swan. I am calm under pressure, even if I am paddling away underneath to keep moving. As long as I can have my 2.30pm cup of tea and chocolate biscuit everything will stay on track.

What trait do you most dislike in yourself? In other people?

I’m overly hard on myself. I see it in others too, often I have to say, women in the industry.

It can be a good motivator, but I think it’s important to step back, regain perspective and recognise what you’ve achieved.

Do you have a life philosophy?

“Do the right thing.” Sometimes this can cost, but I believe it’s always worth it in the end.

Name three things that you like.

My dog, horse riding, and the countryside.

What’s a secret skill we don’t know you have?

Picking locks. (And I’m not going to tell you how I learned!)

What’s your most prized possession?

A photo of my great-grandfather receiving his MBE outside Buckingham Palace. It only came into my possession a few years ago, and I realised I’d stood in the exact spot the photo was taken many times without knowing the personal history.

Early bird or night owl?

Early bird. Don’t call me after 8.30pm.

What would your superpower be?

Healing. I have so much admiration for firefighters and paramedics who save lives every day – I don’t think I could do it as a job, but what a power to have.