The industry includes an impressive variety of roles – but unless you are on the inside it can be hard to know how to break in, let alone progress to the top. In this new series, we talk to professionals about their often surprising career twists and turns
How long have you been working and what is your current job?
My career spans almost 30 years. In March 2023 I became chief operating officer at construction technology provider Causeway Technologies.
What were your first career ambitions? (Would your 16-year-old former self be surprised at what you’re doing now?)
In short, yes. I left school at 16 and started my working life as a plumber and heating engineer and spent four years as an apprentice. Initially, I just wanted to earn money and get out into the world – and travel, which I did.
I have worked and lived in New York and the Middle East and I have run global software teams in almost every major geographic location there is. I have been unbelievably fortunate to have had the career I have had.
When did you first start thinking about a career in construction and why?
My grandfather was a slater and plasterer. From the age of 12, I spent time working with him on roofs and learning the building trade. It has really been in my blood since then.
Who or what helped you get where you are today?
My work ethic, deep spirituality and commitment to continuous learning, plus support from great mentors and leaders who believed in me. I have no fear of failure and working in a world in need of transformation created the opportunities for me to succeed. I also enjoyed a little bit of luck along the way.
Did your choice of subjects/qualifications in education help or hinder you getting a job in the sector?
When I left school, there were jobs aplenty, and the concept of a lifelong job still existed. I chose to be a plumber knowing that, whatever happened in future years, I would have a trade/skill that I could fall back on if necessary.
Working with my grandfather gave me building experience, so getting into plumbing at the time did not require many educational qualifications. As my career progressed, experience became more advantageous than qualifications. I didn’t go to university until I was in my forties.
Having climbed the corporate ladder the hard way, I always felt that I missed out on not having the learning experience that university gives. It nagged at the back of my mind, and I eventually decided to study for a masters in leading sales transformation.
I felt that, if I could pass, it would give me some validation for what, at that time, was 20 years dedicated to my profession. I had the chance to put my curiosity to bed in a way.
The course was at Middlesex University and it was a work-based learning MSc, run by a company called Consalia in partnership with the university. It was one of the best career decisions I ever made. The opportunity to have time to research topics that I knew would make a significant difference to my leadership was incredible.
Have you had to overcome any other barriers to get where you are today?
In my early days, religion was a barrier to success – living in the goldfish bowl that is Glasgow and Lanarkshire. That said, I have never really found too many barriers in my career. I work in a results-orientated business, where success tends to be very binary.
Where I have failed, I have learnt and moved on and – thankfully – in every company I have worked, the teams I have led have achieved significant success.
I have always believed that no one’s opinion of me or my skills defines who I am or what I can achieve. Often, the most significant barriers are the thoughts and limiting beliefs you put on yourself.
What do you know now about the industry that you wish you knew when you were at school?
I wish I could have learnt to better understand people and how they are motivated – how businesses actually work, how they make money and the importance of data in better decision-making.
What surprised you about the industry as a new starter?
I am more surprised about how little has changed since coming back to the construction after many years away. While I have seen great strides in health and safety, there remains way too little automation and use of technology to support better outcomes through people, process and technology efficiencies.
I believe artificial intelligence and large language models will have a positive impact on the industry moving forward.
What are the best and hardest bits of your job?
Having come from relative poverty in Glasgow and living what I would consider to be a privileged life in adulthood, “hard” is a relative term. I am consumed by how we grow Causeway for the benefit of the industry, our shareholders and our employees.
Along with all of my executive colleagues, we want Causeway to be an inspiring place of work, where every day we are focused on delivering the best outcomes for our customers and the industry in general.
Ultimately, the best part of the job is ensuring that Causeway remains successful, to the extent we can sustain and create employment. I love that I get to work with fantastic colleagues who share the same passion. We have loyal customers willing to share their major challenges and support us with innovation to solve their most complex business challenges.
One of those is mental health in the workplace. I am immensely proud of the role that Causeway is taking in promoting the benefits of positive mental health throughout our industry. We are working with employees throughout the industry, discussing strategies that have an impact at an individual, family and industry level.
For someone coming through the school system now, what advice do you have about choosing a construction-related career?
I would say “don’t hesitate”. This is an industry that respects hard work and great ethics. This is an industry that has the power to change the world for the better, in everything from the creation of beautiful architecture and spaces to infrastructure projects that benefit everyone, to finding and working with more environmentally friendly products. There really is an amazing career to be had in our industry.
What one thing would you change to make finding a career in the built environment sector easier?
I would make it easier to embrace technology to make apprenticeships, workforce diversity and early talent career planning more accessible and transparent for all. The future of the industry lies in the next generation of talent.
No comments yet