While studying Engineering Science at New College I got my first taste of construction as a sponsored student with Sir Robert McAlpine (SRM) in 1990. I've never looked back. I've always been interested in engineering, and from my first day on a construction project I've loved the site environment. There's always so much going on, and I never fail to get a thrill from seeing an architect's design taking shape in the real world as our construction work progresses. 

After spending a year with McAlpine Design Group, my first 'proper' job was as a site engineer on the Jubilee Line extension. I then progressed through various site leadership roles, working my way up to Project Manager in 2012. 

Spending time living abroad raising a family during an extended maternity break sparked my interest in understanding what motivates people and how to harness their strengths in a high performing team. I've subsequently put that into practice in my career leadership roles - as a Project Manager on the £1bn Stirling Prize-winning Bloomberg London scheme; at the vast Battersea Power Station development, where I spent two years as a Project Director; and as Director of Engineering and a Board Member for SRM, my previous role before becoming London Managing Director last year. 

Since then it has been my privilege to oversee SRM's delivery of such prestigious, high-profile projects as the refurbishment of the Elizabeth Tower (aka Big Ben), the redevelopment and refurbishment of the world-famous Ritz Hotel, and the new build construction of Deutsche Bank's new London HQ at 21 Moorfields. 

Previous Relationship with New College

I was at New College from 1990 to 1994. I chose to apply to New in part because of its size, with six engineering undergraduates per year; in my year three of us were women. 

As well as earning my degree, I learned to row at New College, winning a Blue in the Women's University Boat Race in 1993 and 1994. 

Dummett Visiting Fellowship

I'm keen to use my fellowship to make current students aware of how rewarding a career in construction can be. I am particularly keen to attract more women into the industry. Construction needs everyone, and women bring a different approach and different experience to what has traditionally been a male-dominated industry. Although I have seen the gender balance improve during the course of my career, we are still a long way from the level of parity that I believe would make us a much stronger and more effective industry across the board. 

We want the best, brightest students to come and work in our industry, and women's presence in our teams allows us to develop better solutions to problems at all levels - from global issues like sustainability and net zero carbon to everyday challenges on site. And women need construction too, because it's a massively rewarding sector in which to work.