Get Sust! Issue 31

Career profile: Rising to the challenge at hurleypalmerflatt

It is often hard to know which company will provide the opportunities you want and the career path you aspire to. Twenty-eight-year-old Susan Gleeson, with four years’ experience in the energy and environment sector, has risen up the ranks very fast at multi-disciplinary consulting engineering practice, hurleypalmerflatt, and knows the value of being thrown in at the deep end … with support on hand if needed.

“At my interview, I remember saying that I craved a challenge and I am thrilled that I was taken seriously,” says Susan. “I have been given the opportunity to work on major projects, take an important role both within hurleypalmerflatt and external design teams, and make a real difference to the sustainability of projects.

“I have been rewarded for my efforts too. I joined hurleypalmerflatt as an energy consultant in January this year and was promoted to be a senior energy and sustainability consultant within just four months.

“I am currently managing and supervising a scheme in Waterlooville, Hampshire. This is a major mixed-use scheme of 2000 homes, shops, offices, schools and other community facilities that will be developed in phases from 2008 to 2016.

“I am responsible for integrating sustainable solutions across this project site. In the early stages, this meant exploring new and innovative technologies that could integrate well with existing systems to solve issues of energy, security and supply, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

“The initial phases of the project will incorporate green roofs, rainwater harvesting, renewable energy technologies including biomass district heat systems, sustainable materials, space for recycling facilities and bicycle storage. Together, these will create a sustainable town and one which can be used as a ‘sustainable living’ educational tool for both adults and school children in the future.

“Encouraging clients to choose the sustainable option is a central part of my role. I believe the key to success is a balance between technical ability and communication skills. Finding a clever engineering solution is all very well but progressing it to the next stage – installation – requires the understanding and approval of a number of different people with very varying degrees of technical knowledge.

“By achieving greater sustainability, the market for future sustainable technologies is strengthened and more research and development into improved technologies is encouraged. The Waterlooville project is an excellent example because it is going beyond local and regional policy requirements in order to create a Beacon Sustainable Development.

“The future for me at hurleypalmerflatt looks good. The company has a training programme as part of its ‘hurleypalmerflatt Academy’ initiative and the directors provide ongoing support in my development as an aspiring director of the future!”

 

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To learn more about careers at hurleypalmerflatt visit www.hurleypalmerflatt.com