Social Value & Business Improvement

Career Path

Following school and sixth form in Norwich, I didn’t go straight into a traditional academic route. Instead, I joined a Youth Training Scheme through the Norfolk Chamber of Commerce which was in Office Administration. As part of that programme, we were encouraged to find placements with local employers to gain hands-on experience alongside our training.

I was placed with a small Quantity Surveying practice as an administrator. What started as a placement turned into four really valuable years. During that time, I built strong relationships, particularly with one of their key clients, May Gurney, a well-known contractor in the region. That connection opened the door to my next step.

I joined May Gurney as an Estimating Assistant, working within their pre-construction team. This was where I really started to understand the industry in more depth, how projects are priced, planned, and brought together before they even reach site. I spent around six years in this role, developing my knowledge and confidence, before moving into a role as Executive Assistant to the Board of Directors. That gave me a completely different perspective on the business, working closely with senior leadership and understanding how decisions are made at the top level.

Following a management buyout within the business, I moved to Morgan Sindall as an Office Manager, supporting operations across Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire. It was a busy, varied role and gave me a broader regional view of construction and how different teams and projects operate.

In 2012, the Social Value Act came into force, which marked a real shift in the industry. I saw an opportunity to move into something new and applied for the role of Community Investment Advisor within Morgan Sindall’s Eastern Region. That step was a turning point for me. It allowed me to combine my experience in construction with a focus on people, communities and the wider impact of what we do.

From there, I became involved in national frameworks, including working as a Framework Assistant for the Southern Construction Framework. This expanded my experience further, giving me exposure to large-scale public sector programmes and how social value and collaboration are embedded at that level.

I then joined Wates in a national role as Sustainability Manager, working across the UK on framework projects. This role broadened my understanding of sustainability, social value and responsible business on a much larger scale, and how these priorities are becoming central to the way our industry operates.

After time working nationally, I made the decision to return to my roots in Norfolk. I joined Pentaco Construction to support their growth, with a strong focus on social value across all of their projects, as well as contributing to their wider ESG approach. It was a great opportunity to bring everything I’d learned back into a local business and help shape their direction.

I am now working for an MEP subcontractor as Head of Responsible Business. The role brings together everything I’ve built over the past 34 years in the industry – from business development and customer experience to social value, sustainability, supply chain and strategy, brand, marketing and social media. No two days are the same, and I’m still learning all the time.

I’m passionate about construction and the difference it can make, not just through the buildings and infrastructure we create, but through the impact we have on people and communities. Alongside my day job, I’m a proud committee member of Norfolk Constructing Excellence and a Trustee of Construction East, where I can use my experience and connections to help support and develop the future of our industry.

Current Role

Head of Responsible Business

Salary Range

Social Value/Sustainability/Business Development Salaries can range with experience

£35k to £80k (I think how we show salaries needs a discussion)

Typical Day

There’s no such thing as a typical day in my role, which is one of the things I enjoy most.

My time is split between business strategy meetings, working and meeting with clients to discuss future pipeline opportunities, and building relationships with community organisations, colleges and education providers. I regularly meet with young people to promote opportunities within the industry, as well as attending networking events to stay connected and share best practice. Some days I’m in the office supporting our teams, helping with people development and shaping our approach to responsible business, and other days I’m out on site visits, understanding how we’re performing in practice. Alongside this, I’m also involved in managing our social value commitments, supporting our brand and social media presence, and making sure what we say we do is reflected in what we actually deliver.

Things I wish I’d known

Looking back, I would have liked to have had more awareness of the construction industry while I was still at school. I didn’t set out with a clear plan to work in construction, I found my way into it through opportunity rather than intention. With better careers advice, I might have discovered sooner just how many different roles and pathways the industry offers.

I was also quite shy when I first started my career, and construction at the time could feel quite male-dominated. However, that environment helped me grow in confidence, become more resilient, and find my voice. The industry has changed significantly since then, it’s far more inclusive, supportive and open to different skill sets and personalities.

If I were to give my younger self advice, it would be to push myself out of my comfort zone earlier and have confidence in what I could offer. Construction is a fantastic industry with opportunities for everyone, and you don’t need to fit a particular mould to succeed.