In the first of a new series of interviews with CIOB fellows, Emma Bull FCIOB, senior framework manager at Southern Construction Framework, tells CM how the post-nominals have boosted her career.
What made you go into construction?
Opportunity – it wasn’t something I had considered prior. My GCSE results were poor and led me to work within a youth employment scheme and then as a library services researcher, then a bonus clerk. I quickly realised I wanted a career not a job and came upon a ‘quantity surveyor’ opportunity – which appealed to my mathematics abilities.
I secured the role with a local authority, comprising reactive repairs to housing stock. Once I could see where the job could take me, I worked my socks off and didn’t look back!
Wanting to work on larger projects for a private company, I attained a QS role for a groundworking contractor on residential newbuild. The scale, complexity, variety, responsibility and intense surveying tasks were matched by the ‘I built’ factor and pride in the sites I was involved with. Then my career moved at a pace.
What do you remember from your first project?
It was a £13m secondary school and I was an assistant surveyor working for a tier 1 contractor, with responsibility for cladding, brickwork, roofing and groundworks. I remember the team so fondly – we had so many challenges but an amazing client and a fantastic-looking building.
Now I live close by and still feel so much pride every time I pass. I developed confidence, knowledge and teamwork on that first project – and ambition, of course!
What was the best advice you were given?
Be happy in your work. I spent six years doing my degree part-time while working and it was tough –
I remember questioning my ability to complete the degree and evaluating its worth. But my career was providing me with so much satisfaction I knew that it was worth sticking with.
How do you think becoming a fellow has helped you in your career?’
The fellowship stands you in very high regard. They are not awarded lightly and you must have significant experience, influence and status, recognised by those that see the post-nominals.
I have been a member since my student days and have been involved in CPD events, sessions and improved my membership status as my experience has developed. The post-nominals are something I wear with pride and often lead to further discussions with others considering or on the journey to attaining a membership status with CIOB. Undoubtedly, having the fellowship on my CV has opened doors.
Is there a specific project or achievement you are most proud of?
I take most pride in a records office building for a steelworks factory that my family had connections to. It was a heritage project and at the beginning of developing core social value benefits, ultimately enabling sustainable employment in an area of high unemployment. The completed building was blessed with a visit by the late Queen and Prince – I was there in my PPE bursting with pride!
Is there anything in your career you would do differently now?
Be more confident in my abilities at a younger age; you’re not expected to know everything. We are still learning every day, no matter what experience or knowledge we have. The insight the industry provides across so many different sectors is incomparable – for example, clients working from education to space exploration.
Who do you most admire in the construction industry, past or present?
Emma Bull CV
Sept 2020-present Senior framework manager, SCF Construction
2017-2020 Framework manager, ISG
2014-2017 Education & community manager, BAM Construct UK
2003-2014 Community engagement manager, Willmott Dixon
Education:
2014-2015 Cardiff Metropolitan University, Construction Management
1999-2005 University of South Wales, BSc Quantity Surveying
The Nightingale hospitals are such an amazing achievement in both design development and subcontractor mobilisation, and showed our collective ability to step up when it’s needed. Also, the passion that project teams have for upcoming generations is very heartwarming – most people are keen to share knowledge to help ensure a future for our industry.
What advice would you give to someone starting in construction today?
Keep an open mind – there are so many options and transferable skills in this sector. Don’t ever feel you are hemmed into one role or discipline. Focus on communication skills – it’s absolutely critical in all forms, from BIM to formal board presentations and client interviews.
What has changed the most about construction since you’ve been working in it?
Technology and the evolution of sustainability. It’s still a journey but more individuals are being employed for specialist areas within the sustainability theme, such as social value and carbon practitioners. This is massively different to when I started with just a site manager and a visiting surveyor.
What’s the most valuable training you’ve received and why?
My postgraduate certificate in sustainable leadership was so useful and exposed me to strategic management approaches and theories.
It showed me the value of taking opportunities to learn after a degree and continue with your professional knowledge to ensure you are providing a valuable, relevant and up-to-date service to your clients.
Do you have a motto that applies to your work – and, if so, what is it?
There are many that change regularly depending on my work, but I always strive to be professional and provide a quality service to my ‘clients’, internal or external.
I am fully accountable – I want to do it well and, if I am honest, like to also be told I am doing it well! I want to deliver the client’s objectives – be that profitable turnover or an informed service and advice.
