Capita Symonds - Meet our people

Meet our people

Robin, 30

Qualifications: BSc(Hons) PhD

Start date: February 1999

Background:

Having done a BSc, PhD and Postdoc at Imperial College I avoided academic institutionalisation by joining Symonds Group in 1999. In 2001 I moved as a solitary environmental staff member to our Holborn office to set up a contaminated land and regeneration team, which has now grown to around 30 staff. I now spend 50% of my time on business development and 50% project directing major multidisciplinary projects. Recent project experience includes three years work on London 2012, including acting as expert witness at the Compulsory Purchase Order Inquiry.

Why Capita Symonds?

Coming from an academic background I wanted to have greater exposure to the commercial world whilst maintaining a degree of technical application in my career. Consultancy seemed like it might be the answer. I met with a number of consultancies and Capita Symonds gave me the most attractive offer!

What project(s) are you working on at the moment?

The major projects are the London 2012 and Northfleet Embankment, a flagship regeneration scheme in the Thames Gateway being lead by SEEDA.

What opportunities have you had to train and develop your skills at Capita Symonds?

I think everything I've asked to do in terms of training has transpired. I've also proactively been approached by my line managers to undertake training. A good example of the latter is the year long Management & Leadership course, which in addition to making me into a better manager has made an (even) happier person (at work at least)!