Operations Director, Nuclear New Build, Consultancy, UK
What I enjoy most is the thrill of directly influencing Mace’s trajectory, particularly in the nuclear sector. It's so exciting to be at the forefront, helping pave the way for the future of nuclear projects like Sizewell C and SMRs.
I also love the challenge of aligning our goals with those of our clients and ensuring our nuclear expertise is both recognised and leveraged. Together, we find solutions to problems to support the project’s delivery. It’s a bit like being on a roller coaster – the constant ups and downs keep me on my toes!
One thing I’m really enjoying at the moment is building up our team and ensuring they feel integrated. It can sometimes be harder to feel connected to the wider Mace team when embedded within the client’s organisation and we have been working hard to make sure we have that connection as a team and that everyone in the wider Mace world understands what’s going on down here on the ground. As part of this, we’ve made sure that members of the team are involved in a number of volunteering opportunities, so it gives our team, which is usually spread out across various locations throughout the entire project, the opportunity be together.
Mace is special because it embraces the projects that others find too tricky or daunting. What truly sets us apart is our unique blend of consulting and contracting capabilities, which allows us to tackle complex projects head-on. This is incredibly appealing for engineers like me; it’s like being in the thick of a puzzle that you are trying to complete that’s constantly evolving.
Every day for me is like Forrest Gump's box of chocolates – I never know what I’m going to get! The constant challenges and puzzles to solve keep me motivated. I love the diversity and complexity of the projects we handle, and working alongside an incredible team. Sure, there are tough days, but the sense of accomplishment at the end of the day makes it all worthwhile. It’s full-on and intense, but when I look back at what we’ve achieved, it’s immensely satisfying.
Working with my team is another thing that motivates me every day, both on the Mace side and also on the client side. There is such complexity involved in what we do and it’s so rewarding to see the impact that we are having.
To excel in my role, you need a hefty dose of leadership skills, tenacity, emotional intelligence, problem solving skills and energy. I need to provide direction and support to my teams to drive the delivery of project milestones and overcome professional challenge. Diplomacy, determination and organisation are also key – sometimes you have to take a step back, think things through, and approach situations with a calm, logical and thoughtful mindset, or from a different viewpoint, to ensure we achieve the end aim. Finally, innovation and prioritisation are also crucial. It’s about keeping your eye on the end goal and not getting distracted by the noise. Oh, and of course, a good sense of humour helps!
I am always busy doing something. My husband hates it, but I just can’t sit still. I love puzzles, baking (I’m known for my cakes), and sports. Swimming, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, dancing, walking and running are my go-to activities. I’ve only recently taken up running and now clock between 30 - 40 kilometres a week. I throw myself into everything with passion and full commitment – if I’m in, I’m all in! My family often jokes about my endless energy, but it’s just how I am; I wake up ready to tackle the day, and I love every minute of it.
Operations Director, Nuclear New Build, Consultancy, UK