微密圈

Why did you choose construction as a career?

I started out in retail but was drawn to a new challenge and joined one of our branches as a sales consultant over 15 years ago. I was drawn to the energy, the pace, the people and the real-world impact of what we do.

What are you most proud of in your career to date?

Being shortlisted as a finalist for the sustainability champion award at this year鈥檚 Everywoman in Transport and Logistics Awards. It was a huge personal honour but, more than that, it is a reflection of the brilliant, collective effort across our business to embed sustainability into everything we do.

What has been the biggest challenge of your career to date?

One of the biggest challenges has been helping to shift sustainability from a 鈥渘ice to have鈥� to a core business priority in a fast-paced, commercially driven industry. It is not just about policies, it is about engaging people 鈥� from leadership to branch teams 鈥� and building the belief that sustainability adds value. It takes time, persistence and a lot of listening, but seeing that shift happen has made it worthwhile.

If you could change one thing about the industry, what would it be?

I would love to see greater transparency and consistency around product data 鈥� particularly environmental data. More and more of our customers are asking questions such as: What鈥檚 the carbon footprint of this product? Does it contain recycled content? Is it circular by design?

We are in a much better place than we were even a few years ago to answer these questions, and some suppliers are now leading the way with accessible data. But it should not be the exception; it should be the standard.

Embedding clear, consistent sustainability metrics into product information will empower everyone 鈥� from builders to designers 鈥� to make better, more informed choices.

What is the most helpful advice that you have been given?

My mum used to say: 鈥淕rowth lives on the other side of fear, so don鈥檛 be afraid to run towards the things that scare you.鈥� That鈥檚 really stuck with me.

Some of the most meaningful moments in my career have come from doing exactly that; from leaning into the things that made me nervous or uncertain. It is not always easy, but time and again, those have been the moments where I have grown the most.

Name your favourite building in the world?

Liberty, the department store in London鈥檚 West End, is my favourite building. It鈥檚 beautiful, a little eccentric, and full of character, everything about it draws you in. I used to walk past it every day, and no matter how busy or distracted I was, I always found myself pausing to admire it.

Which famous building do you most dislike?

London鈥檚 20 Fenchurch Street, (aka The Walkie Talkie) is probably my least favorite. While the interior is actually quite beautiful, I have never been able to warm to the external design. The top-heavy shape feels awkward to me, and I don鈥檛 think it blends into its surroundings.

In a city like London, where so much architecture tells a story or sits in harmony with its neighbours, this one just feels out of place. It鈥檚 a personal thing, but I鈥檝e always found it a bit of an eyesore.

Which famous building do you wish you had worked on?

I have always admired Zaha Hadid鈥檚 work. Her designs are so bold, fluid and completely unique. If I could choose one famous building to have worked on, it would be the Heydar Aliyev Centre in Baku, Azerbaijan. The curves, the sleekness, and that sense of movement in the architecture make it feel like it is from the future. It鈥檚 a building that challenges convention and redefines what鈥檚 possible. I would have absolutely loved to be part of a project like that 鈥� something so creative, forward-thinking, and iconic.

What single piece of advice would you give to someone starting out in your profession?

Be adaptable to change. In sustainability, what is best practice today might be outdated tomorrow. New technologies, evolving regulations and shifting expectations mean you have got to stay curious, open-minded and ready to pivot. Some of the most exciting opportunities come when you are willing to embrace the unknown and grow with it.

Who do you most admire in the construction industry?

It has to be Zaha Hadid again. She was not afraid to be different, to challenge norms, break boundaries and bring something completely new to the table.

What is it like being you (and doing your job)?

No two days are ever the same. There is never a dull moment. It鈥檚 full of challenges and, I will admit, there are times I am faced with something and think, how on earth are we going to tackle this? But that鈥檚 part of what makes it so rewarding.

I get to work with brilliant, passionate people, and together we figure it out, often venturing into the unknown and learning as we go. It鈥檚 a role that constantly pushes me to grow, and I wouldn鈥檛 have it any other way.

Do you have a life philosophy?

To stay grounded in my values, make space to reflect, and keep moving forward with purpose. In a world that is constantly changing, it鈥檚 easy to get caught up in the pace. But I have found that the real clarity comes in the still moments 鈥� through meditation, quiet reflection, or simply pausing to ask, is this the right thing to do?

I believe in doing work that matters, staying curious, and surrounding myself with good people who challenge and inspire me.

What do you think your best quality is?

Listening. My nan would always tell me, you have two ears and one mouth for a reason.

What trait do you most dislike in yourself? And in other people?

In myself, I most dislike the moments when fear holds me back and I don鈥檛 show up as my best self. It does not happen often but, when it does, I know it is usually more about what鈥檚 going on internally than anything else around me. I am learning to recognise it, reflect and gently push through it.

In others, what I find hardest to accept is unkindness. No matter the situation, kindness and respect are everything to me. I believe we all have the capacity to be compassionate, and it is such a powerful way to connect and grow.

Name three things that you like

Being in nature, meditation and good music.

Tell us about a secret skill that we don鈥檛 know you have

Not many people know that I can sing. I grew up singing in church and used to travel with my gospel group. Those were really special times.

These days, I mostly just sing around the house, but it鈥檚 still something that brings me a lot of joy.

What is your most prized possession?

My set of sound bowls. I love sitting in the garden and playing them; it鈥檚 my way of slowing down, clearing my mind and reconnecting with myself. There is something grounding and calming in the sound they create.

Early bird or night owl?

Early bird.

What is your favourite food?

Caribbean food.

What would your superpower be?

I would love to be able to teleport into the future. Not just to see what鈥檚 ahead, but to understand how the choices we make today shape the world of tomorrow. I think it would be an incredible way to stay inspired and focused on what really matters.

Stark Group is a European distributor of building materials. It owns the Jewson builders鈥� merchants in the UK