Operations Director, Planning, Consultancy, MEA
After leaving school I went to university to study architecture but transitioned after one year to project management. From there I worked for a consultancy firm until an opportunity came up at a construction company to get some contracting experience. A few years, and another firm later, the opportunity to go international with Mace arose in 2007. I'd heard a bit about Mace and noted that they kept appearing in the 'top employers to work for' lists in the UK. Coupled with the fact that I'd heard good things from people who worked for Mace in London, I was definitely interested in trying to get the job in Dubai.
I've been involved with some amazing projects and get a real sense of achievement from being part of their delivery. I joined Mace to work on the Dubai World Trade Centre district, and even though the recession hit and the plans changed, it was a great project to be involved in.
I was also lucky enough to work on a hotel project in the Bahamas. It was one of the best projects I've ever been involved in, it was the kind of job that makes you get out of bed in the morning smiling.
I'd say that you've got to keep believing that what you're doing is making a difference. You have to believe in what you do and always try to go that little bit further. Establishing yourself as an expert in your field is crucial. And, my final tip would be: simplify, simplify, simplify - but don't lose sight of the message you're looking to convey.
I like playing football and participating in obstacle-based events like Spartan challenges. I'm also into cooking and photography, and I especially enjoy posting photos of the dishes I've created.