I've always been fascinated by what happens when different disciplines, cultures and perspectives come together. That's what first drew me to buildings and the Built Environment. It felt like the perfect intersection of art and science, where technical thinking and creativity depend on one another to create something special.

I started my career as a structural engineer before moving into project management and, more recently, development. Across each role, I've had the opportunity to work alongside talented people from a wide range of disciplines across residential, commercial, cultural and infrastructure developments. Early in my career, I was lucky to work on a particularly complex project that challenged me to think well beyond structural engineering and also encouraged me to colour outside the lines a little. It was through that experience that I developed a passion for working at the interfaces between disciplines, where collaboration, curiosity and different perspectives combine to unlock the best solutions. 

While I loved the technical aspects of engineering, I increasingly found myself drawn to the more human side of projects. I realised I wanted to play a broader role in bringing disciplines together, balancing priorities and helping shape multidisciplinary solutions from concept through to delivery. Moving into project management allowed me to do exactly that, broadening my outlook and deepening my understanding of the relationships that underpin successful projects.

The Built Environment has a unique ability to make a tangible difference to people's lives. Becoming a dad has reinforced that perspective, giving me an even greater appreciation of the responsibility we have to create places that improve lives, strengthen communities and leave a positive legacy for future generations. I believe the best places are created when they are shaped by the diverse voices, experiences and aspirations of the communities they are intended to serve.

That starts with building an industry that better reflects those communities, challenging established thinking, and ultimately delivering more equitable outcomes. Beyond my day-to-day work, I've been fortunate to mentor young people through the Construction Youth Trust and other organisations, while also championing diversity and inclusion through initiatives that improve our industry and encourages more people to pursue careers in it.

Looking back, the projects I've enjoyed most have all had one thing in common: talented people working together to solve complex challenges. That's the environment I enjoy contributing to, and the one I strive to help create on every project.  

A role at Stories gives me the opportunity to harness that inclusive way of working to deliver projects and places that have a meaningful and positive impact on the communities they exist within and provide for. I'm excited to be part of a fresh approach to development that reflects the values I've believed in throughout my career. Joining at such a pivotal moment in our journey, as our first projects begin to take shape on site, presents a unique opportunity to draw on my experience across the Built Environment to help shape not only the places we create, but also the collaborative culture that defines how we work together.