To start off, tell us a bit about your career before DBSJ – and why you decided to make the change: 

I began as an administrator in an insurance company and gradually moved into leadership roles, overseeing a team of 12. After 21 years, I was ready to pursue a new direction and spent five years as a Mental Health Act Administrator, handling patient reviews, coordinating meetings and liaising with psychiatrists. 

Following on from this, I was given the opportunity to turn my lifelong passion for swimming into my full-time job. I worked as an assistant coordinator for six years, before stepping up to lead a team of 14–16 instructors, managing swimming lessons for over 1,000 students. After 18 years, I decided it was time to explore new opportunities. 

Bringing extensive experience across different sectors, I had a wealth of transferable skills in organisation, coordination and process management, which made me the perfect fit for the position of Business Unit Administrator at DBSJ. I was also offered the flexibility of part-time work – both in-office and remotely – which suited my needs perfectly, making the decision an easy one. 

What is involved in your day-to-day at DBSJ? 

My role revolves around coordination, compliance and project support to ensure smooth operations across our fit-out projects, so they meet the highest expectations. 

I work closely with project managers, operational leadership and trainee managers such as Tony, making sure construction management plans are collated and shared with all stakeholders ahead of the start of the project. I track projects, planning for upcoming start and handover deadlines. 

A key part of my role is ensuring health and safety compliance, ensuring all necessary documentation—preconstruction information, health and safety reports, risk assessments and method statements—is correct and shared with the relevant parties. 

As projects near completion, I prepare the Operational & Maintenance (O&M) Manual, gathering and reviewing documentation from suppliers and all required safety test certificates before sending it to clients and consultants. 

Beyond project coordination, I am an ISO committee member, contributing to maintaining and improving core business processes and operational procedures. 

What was the biggest challenge you faced during the transition, and how did you overcome it? 

Coming from a professionally different background, terminology was challenging at first. Initially, I struggled with industry-specific regulations, such as ISO standards. 

With continuous support from the team throughout my first months, I quickly became familiar with all of it though. Everyone was incredibly helpful, making the transition much smoother and ensuring I had the knowledge I needed to excel in my role. 

Were there specific skills from your previous career that helped you succeed in your new role? 

Absolutely! Many of the skills I developed in my previous jobs have been highly transferable to my role at DBSJ. Organisation, time management, risk assessments, multi-tasking and attention to detail have all played a key role in helping me succeed. 

I’ve brought experience in long-term planning, having previously worked on schedules a year in advance- something that is crucial in my role now. Knowing who to communicate with and when is essential to keeping projects on track. 

What did you find most surprising about the fit-out industry when you first started? 

The outstanding final results immediately caught my attention. It is incredible to see how a previously empty space is transformed into a stunning, functional environment through an exceptional fit-out. Even now, I’m still in awe when I look at photographs of finished projects that my team and I have worked on – it’s a constant reminder of the dedication and passion that goes into every project. I take pride in being part of a team that is redefining fit-outs and moving the industry forwards. 

Looking back, what would you say to someone considering a similar career change later in life? 

Take the opportunity and keep learning. Stepping into an unfamiliar industry may seem daunting at first, but it can also be very rewarding. You have more transferable skills than you think. The challenge will push you to grow personally and professionally, and, along the way, you may find supportive individuals that will encourage you to improve. It’s a chance to reinvent yourself and thrive in a new industry.

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