What is your role and what does it involve?

I’m one of the co-founders of Jensen Hunt Design, alongside James Mickelburgh. James and I first met when we were both at BDP—he actually interviewed me for a role there and gave me the job, so I’ve got him to thank for kickstarting this chapter of my career! We only worked together briefly at that time but kept in touch, and around 10 years ago, we decided to join forces and start Jensen Hunt Design.

As for my role now—it’s a bit of everything! I spend a lot of time making sure the business as a whole is running smoothly. That means bringing in work, ensuring our team feels supported and happy, and keeping us all aligned with our goals and ambitions. It’s also about making sure we’re heading in the right direction strategically—growing, evolving, and building a business that lasts. And, of course, there’s the practical side: we need to be profitable so we can reinvest in people, projects, and the future. It’s a balancing act, but one I really enjoy.

Can you describe your career journey so far?

I studied Civil Engineering at Leeds University, which gave me a solid foundation and confirmed that this was the industry I wanted to be in. After my degree, I took a year out to travel. That time away gave me space to think about what I wanted from my career—and it also gave me a real sense of independence, which I think served me well.

My first role was at a small company in Nottingham. Because it was a smaller practice, I was exposed to all sorts of projects—industrial, residential, commercial, and office schemes. That variety was invaluable, especially early on, as it helped me understand the breadth of work within structural engineering.

I then moved to BDP in London, where I met James. After that, I joined HTS, which was a medium-sized practice with a lot of interesting London-based projects. I really enjoyed my time there, but I also knew I had a long-term ambition to start my own business. I’ve always been fascinated not just by the engineering side, but also by how businesses are built and run. The opportunity to create something from the ground up, to shape a culture and a direction, was always something I wanted. About 10 years ago, that became a reality when James and I co-founded Jensen Hunt Design.

What is your biggest career achievement so far?

Without a doubt, setting up Jensen Hunt Design and seeing it thrive over the past 10 years. Starting a business is both exciting and daunting—you never know how things will play out. In the beginning, one of the biggest milestones for me was when clients started coming to us independently, choosing us because they valued our approach, and then returning as repeat clients. That was a huge moment of validation.

Looking back now, I’d say the real achievement is seeing the business still here, still growing, and still attracting great people and great projects a decade later. It’s incredibly satisfying to know that we’ve built something sustainable, and that we’ve created a place where both clients and employees want to return.

What advice would you give to someone starting out in the industry?

I’d encourage anyone starting out to do as much research as possible and really picture what you want your career to look like. Try to get experience in different areas early on—don’t just settle into one niche without exploring, because this industry is broad and diverse.

At the same time, patience is key. Stick with things long enough to learn properly before you make big decisions. It’s easy to want instant results, but real learning and growth come from immersing yourself in projects and giving them time.

And finally, listen. Learn from those around you—colleagues, mentors, even clients. Take on different perspectives and don’t be too quick to rule out certain branches of engineering before really getting to know what they’re all about. The best engineers I’ve worked with are those who are always curious, always willing to learn.

What do you think is the biggest challenge in the industry, and what can we do to change it?

There are several challenges at the moment. One is attracting and retaining talented, passionate people. We need to make the industry more appealing and accessible, not just for graduates but for people from all different backgrounds. There’s still a gender imbalance in structural engineering, and we need to create more pathways that support women and underrepresented groups into senior roles.

Education is also a big factor. We need to inspire the next generation and give them the tools and confidence to thrive. That’s why we’re proud to support organisations like Build The Way, which does brilliant work creating pathways for young people into architecture and engineering. We’d love to see more organisations like that—more bodies supporting early careers, offering mentoring, and helping young engineers see the potential of this industry. If we can make engineering feel like an exciting, supportive, and rewarding place to be, we’ll be in a much stronger position.

What’s your biggest passion outside of work?

Family is definitely my biggest passion and priority. Work can be all-consuming at times, but making sure I have that balance—being present for my children, involved in their schooling, and visible in their lives while they’re young—is hugely important to me. I even try (with mixed success!) to spark their interest in engineering and creativity.

Alongside that, sport is a big part of my life. I love both watching and playing—tennis, football, and more recently padel, which seems to have swept across London! 

What’s a surprising fact about you?

It’s a bit of a quirky one, but when I was a baby, I actually sat inside the European Cup! My team, Nottingham Forest, won it in 1980, and I somehow ended up in the trophy cabinet with a photo to prove it. It’s a very niche claim to fame, but one that still makes me laugh.

How would you describe yourself in three words?

🎾 😎 🙋🏼‍♂️