Where are you from, and where did you go to school?

I am from the UK, and I have pursued my education in the construction field. I initially trained as a quantity surveyor and have progressed to senior commercial manager at Mace Consult, part of the Mace Group. I obtained my construction management degree from the University of Wales and studied this in Wrexham, Wales. 

What’s something about you (a fun fact) that not many people know?

A fun fact about me is that I have had the opportunity to travel extensively for work and have visited various countries worldwide, such as Hong Kong, Singapore, Australia, Gibraltar, and the Falkland Islands. I still need to get to North America, and then I can tick off visiting every continent; one day, I will. 

Where do you work?

I work as a senior commercial manager at Mace Consult. I am currently involved in a project forecasting the future spend profile for a £443 million project.

What do you love most about your job?

What I love most about my job is the opportunity to work on challenging projects that demand strategic planning and critical thinking. Seeing how my work contributes to successfully completing large-scale construction projects is rewarding.

Do you have a project story to share?

An interesting project story is about when I was working in Australia and had the chance to prepare estimates for mining sites in the remote Pilbara region of Western Australia. The experience of working in such a unique and challenging environment was truly memorable.

What are your future goals and aspirations for your career? Did someone inspire you to be on this career path?

My future goals and aspirations in my career involve continuing to excel in cost engineering and contributing to innovative solutions in the construction industry. Despite the challenges I faced when I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, I have learned to adapt and use technology to further my profession.

What is the biggest career challenge you’ve had to overcome?

A significant career challenge I overcame was accepting the need to use adaptive technology and aids due to my diagnosis of multiple sclerosis. This challenged me to find innovative ways to continue in my profession and led me to explore the field of cost engineering.

What’s been your favorite or most memorable moment of your career?

One of the most memorable moments in my career was the extreme commute I undertook for a meeting in Sydney, Australia, from Perth, Western Australia. The five-and-a-half-hour flight, each way in a single day, exemplified the diverse and challenging aspects of my work in different locations and the extreme work commutes that you sometimes have to do to get the job done. 

Why did you join AACE?

I joined AACE to connect with professionals in cost engineering and project management, gain insights, and share experiences with like-minded individuals.

What do you like most about being an AACE member? Or What’s your favorite part of being an AACE member?

I enjoy being an AACE member because it provides networking opportunities, access to valuable resources, and the chance to stay updated on industry trends and best practices.

What advice would you give someone wanting to enter the field?

My advice for someone looking to enter the field of cost engineering would be to stay curious, continuously update your skills and knowledge, network with industry professionals, and be open to embracing new technologies and methods in the construction industry.