Celebrating 50 years of working in the built environment

From childhood, my inspirations were a combination of architecture and a long-standing love of technical drawing, which I taught myself. I did have ambitions to train as an architect, but these were thwarted by the prevailing view at the time this career choice would be a waste of time for a girl.

The standard response was “no” each time I sought to pursue construction as a career option and in reply to “why” - “because you are a girl”. I simply could not accept this, and any barriers served to further motivate me. I found a role as an architectural technician, rapidly acquiring qualifications on the way - an ONC and an HNC in Building, I studied RIBA to Part 1, I passed the RICS professional exams in building surveying and the CIOB professional exams. Whilst some of my studies were undertaken on a day release basis, several were undertaken in my own time and simultaneously!

Of all of the qualifications and professional achievements I decided to pursue, membership of the CIOB was prevalent and this was fundamentally because of the mix of people, interacting and networking with a breadth of construction roles and a feeling the CIOB was really inclusive. 

As my career progressed and I gained experience, largely as a building surveyor delivering maintenance projects in a mix of environments, I developed core project management skills and became proficient in the management of teams. What followed was a varied career as a project manager within the built environment. I describe myself as a 360 project manager - I have been employed as client, contractor and consultant, in the public and private sectors, on new build and refurbishment projects. This variety is something possibly not available in any other sector. I have managed projects across the commercial, stadia, residential, rail and retail sectors - and more.

The most satisfying projects, for me, were those which were most challenging logistically - the undertaking of major refurbishments, whilst needing to retain an operational environment and to ensure the business priorities of the client were always maintained.

One of my most challenging site activities was managing the controlled demolition of a four-storey Victorian structure – unplanned at the start of the project and necessary when deemed as structurally unsound. Not to mention this had to be carried out in a window of just 12 hours, with absolutely minimal disruption.

My most enjoyable project was the delivery of the Selfridges Oxford Street masterplan, over a three-year time frame, including new shop fronts, new escalators and new floors, all whilst allowing this iconic store to remain open and completely operational.

I went on to spend three years working in the UAE which gave me an insight into the challenges of the international built environment. Recently I have used my knowledge, skills and experience in the role of an academic, leading a mix of undergraduate and post-graduate programmes, and as a mentor to young people at the start of their career.

Throughout my career I have also been an active volunteer. I was a member of the Royal Naval Reserve for over 35 years, retiring as a Lt Cdr, with specialist war roles in Degaussing & Submarine Operations, New Entry Training and ceremonial activities were also part of my remit.

My volunteering roles included numerous activities within the CIOB. I first volunteered with CIOB at the request of Sir Ian Dixon, the then President, who initiated the Building Matters tour. This was an actual roadshow, in an especially adapted Routemaster bus. It was a great initiative, engaging people in the industry and local communities. I spent time talking to students and school children, trying to persuade them as to the various perspectives of a career in the built environment. 

I became a CIOB Member in 1981, immediately after the acquisition of the Royal Charter. I went on to become a CIOB Fellow in 1995, becoming the second female Fellow of the CIOB, with my award presented as part of a bespoke event at the Palace of Westminster.

I chaired the first CIOB Women in Building Committee and represented the CIOB on the Latham Working Groups focussed on gender equality and partnering, topics which are still current today. 

I have, over the years, represented CIOB in numerous guises - as a mentor, as a chair and as a speaker at conferences. I am a STEM Ambassador and part of the UKBIMAlliance Communities Leadership Team. Above all, I am passionate about the need for and the application of standards, from both a personal and professional perspective, and one of the reasons I have such a long history with the CIOB is the mission to establish industry standards and to encourage and support the maintaining of exemplary standards.

I am a past chair of the CIOB London and Dubai branches and helped to establish the latter, which I am so pleased to know continues to thrive. 

I am presently serving my final year of six as a CIOB Trustee. I am pleased to say I was twice elected to this role and, as a Trustee, I chair the Nominations Committee and the Sub-Chartered Working Group and serve on the Resources Committee and the Education, Qualifications, Standards and Practice Board.

I am also extremely privileged to be part of the core Working Group seeking to update the best-selling CIOB publication, the Code of Practice for Project Management.

In my personal life I am physically active, constantly seeking fresh challenges and new horizons to explore. I have conquered the three highest mountains in Africa and have crossed the Sahara as a competitor in the Marathon des Sables. There are always new territories to cross – literally, with these international challenges.

I am presently seeking to further research and engage in projects looking at best practice and standards in industry, primarily from the perspective of the wider social impact of the built environment.

I have achieved 50 years of work experience to date and still have much to offer. I am looking forward to new opportunities and new projects to explore!