Sian : Construction Manager
BA Construction Project Management, University of Liverpool
To my mind, one of the big attractions of the construction industry is actually seeing things happen - better still, making them happen. The closer you are to the real action, the better as far as I'm concerned. The sheer extent of the training means you never have time to get bored, because there's always some new set of skills to apply to your role.
It wasn't exactly a tough decision, choosing to join Balfour Beatty. I figured I might as well work for the biggest in the business especially as they have such a great reputation for training. They sponsored me through my final year, so I knew there'd be a job waiting for me straight away. And now they're helping me towards chartership.
I've mainly worked on major reconstruction and refurbishment projects, mostly in Merseyside. One was the conversion of the old Speke Airport. You don't tend to think of airports as listed buildings, but this one was a real art deco masterpiece. So one of the really interesting and unusual aspects was working with the people from English Heritage.
My current project is the Paradise Project right in Liverpool city centre. It combines retail and residential buildings of various styles, including some listed warehouses. The contract's worth £111m, and much of the responsibility for getting design information is down to me. So I spend more of my time in the office these days, which works out fine for me now I have a baby as well as my career to think about.
The company has been fantastic about my family commitments. Health and safety was a massive consideration during my pregnancy and the way my work/life balance has been supported has been amazing. I reckon I'll be staying in this part of the world for the foreseeable future; definitely with Balfour Beatty. Liverpool is an amazing city, and it's great to be involved in its regeneration.
