Emma’s career journey
Emma is project manager for the River Thames Scheme (RTS) planning/delivery phase and now manages the technical services contract for the Development Consent Order (DCO). We catch up with her to find out what motivates her and what she is enjoying about her current role.
How has your career progressed?
My career now spans 30 years since graduating – the time has flown! As a student, I worked as an intern each summer for a contracting firm that sponsored me through university. When joining Binnies as a graduate, I brought with me a contractor’s perspective and built on this by gaining a solid understanding of water process and design. I relished the opportunity to work abroad with trips to China and stints in Singapore and Malaysia on wastewater treatment plants and Kuala Lumpur International Airport. I spent a lot of my early career on site, and I have brought that experience into all the design work I have overseen since. This has been beneficial, enabling me to combine technical expertise and practical experience. In 2001, I moved back to the UK, working on water utilities projects before moving into flood and coastal management in 2008. I have worked on the River Thames Scheme (RTS) for the last eight years, which has made up a substantial portion of my career.
Tell us about your current role
I am project manager for the technical services contract of the RTS, which includes the environmental impact assessments (EIA) and technical work. It has been a long journey developing the project from appraisal and outline design through to the current task of preparing the EIA and technical information for the DCO, and it has been rewarding to oversee its progress. This will be my career-defining project, as preparing the DCO and then the final business case will take the next four years. I ensure that the project progresses to schedule, the work that is delivered is of the right quality and everyone involved understands what they need to do. In addition, I am responsible for delivering the work to budget (or better).
The RTS (Surrey and South West London) is the largest fluvial flood defence scheme currently under development in the UK. This complex, multidisciplinary project embraces innovative technical approaches to provide 150 m³/s additional conveyance to 32 km of the River Thames. Through the creation of a new flood channel, the scheme will reduce the risk of flooding to 11,000 homes and 1200 businesses. The extensive environmental engineering, planning and fluvial and groundwater modelling and monitoring have established baselines and biodiversity net gain improvements as part of a long-term sustainable outcome. Our solutions align policy advice and environmental strategy. The scheme reflects the need to adapt to climate change as flooding increases and represents a transformational opportunity for new habitats and re-landscaped environments for local communities. The government directed that the project be treated as one of national significance owing to its large scale. It is the first flood risk management scheme to require a DCO.
Large multidisciplinary project working
The delivery of such a large project involves many people. How do you all come together?
All parties involved in this project support the common goal of achieving the submission of the DCO. Binnies’ existing team has worked together on this project for years, and we have strong relationships, both internally and with our specialist supply chain. Our joint venture with WSP has strengthened the team by supplying a wider pool of resources, particularly to fulfil some of the new key roles. The broader project team includes other consultants delivering other areas of the DCO, and there will be touch points across all aspects to ensure completion.
We need a fully integrated team to enable this, and collaboration workshops have helped to bring everyone together. Senior people from the different organisations discussed casting the right shadow and exhibiting the right behaviours so that we can deliver as a truly integrated team. We don’t want things to be funnelled up and down because there will be pinch points and blockers. We encourage communication at all levels, enabling team members to speak directly and collaboratively to resolve challenges swiftly. The key is making sure people feel empowered and happy to call one another.
Everyone has come to this transformational project with the right attitude and enthusiasm to be involved.
This high-profile project benefits the local community. Does your role bring you into contact with the public?
We are currently engaged in public consultation events, and I find it energising to talk to people about the reality of the project. It gives a real sense of momentum and provides me with energy to draw on. I last attended public consultation events back in 2016, and I was proud when someone came back to a recent consultation and asked for me specifically, as they remembered me and had full confidence in my ability to answer their questions.
What do you find rewarding about your role?
I enjoy being part of a team and contributing to the delivery of projects that benefit local communities and our environment. I believe that getting to know my team and building relationships can create the most productive atmosphere. This helps me guide them to use their skills and experience to the best effect. I remain professional and positive, even when faced with challenges; I always want to be part of the solution rather than the problem.
I enjoy socialising with my team; hopefully my colleagues can see that my serious project manager persona is not the whole story!
RSK Group collaboration
Have you benefitted from the wider RSK Group?
Being part of the RSK Group gives me a wider family and resource pool to draw from. The depth of talent and knowledge across the group augments the skills and experience that Binnies has, and this close-knit relationship ensures the process is simple and straightforward. This is the first place I look for any specific skills and resources, and I am looking forward to working more closely with others in the group. For the RTS scheme, we are working with Advantage RSK, specialists in commercial and project management services, to support scoping of the tender packages. Additionally, we are going to collaborate with RSK companies to support the material management, geotechnical and contaminated land work.
What do you like about working at Binnies?
I have enjoyed building my career with Binnies and grasping all the fantastic opportunities made available to me. I have travelled internationally and worked in different sectors before moving to flood risk management in 2008 – that change definitely made for more scenic site visits!
I benefit from the Binnies culture and the focus on its people. I have a mentor in the senior leadership team, and the different perspective they provide, sitting outside my project work, is invaluable. Their experience in approaching challenges has helped me achieve great successes, and the mutual trust we now have enables us to be open and transparent. The human relationships involved in my daily working life make a big difference to feeling part of a wider team.
I was honoured to be chosen as one of the top women in engineering in 2018, when the theme was ‘Returners or Transferrers’. I had a career break after having children and found the thought of returning to work daunting. Re-entering a supportive friendly work environment where my skills and experience were valued made all the difference.