This year's IWIED theme is #EngineeringIntelligence. How do you think you show #EngineeringExcellence in your work?
As an Associate Director, I lead teams to deliver building automation solutions that are aligned with client needs, exceed performance benchmarks, and actively reduce operational carbon footprint. I hold myself to high standards and ensure proper quality assurance processes are consistently applied, because the buildings we engineer today shape how communities experience their environment for decades.
So much has changed in the 50 years since Cundall was founded. What changes would you like to see in the next 50 years, and how do you think we'll get there?
A common myth is that building automation is simply about controls and wiring - routine, straightforward, and often overlooked. In reality, it is one of the most human-centric disciplines in engineering, shaping how people feel within a space: their comfort, productivity, and overall well-being. Beyond that, building automation underpins critical infrastructure, ensuring resilience and redundancy when it matters most.
What’s a myth about your role that you’d love to bust?
Our aspiration is to achieve net-zero design by 2030, and I'd love to see that happen, not only in design intent, but in actual operation. I want to see greater diversity and global inclusion within engineering leadership, alongside accelerating the adoption of AI driven digital tools that enhance how we design and operate the built environment. We'll achieve this by investing in the next generation of engineers and placing our people at the heart of everything we do.
What’s one experience or milestone in your career that shaped who you are today?
Early in my leadership journey, I walked into a client meeting as both Project Manager and Technical Lead, only to be immediately dismissed because of my gender and age. By the end of the meeting, I was confidential leading the technical discussion and addressing every question with credibility That experience shaped my belief deeply: we must not judge a book by its cover; opportunities should always be given fairly, without bias. This principle continues to guide how I lead today.