This week we are catching up with Alex, one of our Senior Geo Environmental Consultants, to explore what life at Subadra looks like after nearly a decade in environmental consulting.
What inspired you to pursue a career in environmental and geotechnical consulting?
I have always enjoyed working outdoors and wanted a career that would allow me to spend part of my week on site, engaging with real environmental challenges.
What is your educational and career background?
I studied Environmental Management and have now built almost ten years of experience in environmental consulting across a wide range of projects and sites.
What is your current role and what does a typical day look like?
I am a Senior Geo Environmental Consultant. A typical week includes report writing, project and client management, supporting graduates, preparing cost proposals, and some time on site. The mix of technical work, mentoring, and client interaction keeps things varied.
What is your favourite part of your job?
Every site is different, which keeps the work interesting. The UK has some of the most diverse geology in the world within a relatively small area, so you never stop learning.
How does your work contribute to sustainability and the wider environment?
I help identify contamination risks, design remediation strategies, and protect groundwater, ecosystems, and human health. Material classification testing can highlight opportunities for reuse which reduces the volume sent to landfill. I also provide input into sustainable drainage system design to support better water management.
What are the biggest challenges you face in your role?
Balancing environmental protection with project constraints such as tight deadlines, budgets, or differing expectations. It often involves finding the best technical outcome that also works for the project as a whole.
How has the industry changed since you started your career?
There has been real progress in waste management, reuse of materials, and more sustainable practices. These approaches are now far more embedded across the industry compared with when I started.
What skills or qualities are most important for someone in this line of work?
Attention to detail, problem solving, clear communication, managing expectations, strong time management, and adaptability. Fieldwork can be unpredictable, so the ability to stay flexible and think on your feet is important.
What advice would you give to someone considering a career in environmental or geotechnical consulting?
Study geology, hydrogeology, environmental science, or engineering and build practical skills for fieldwork. Hands on experience helps you understand real world conditions that sit behind the data.
And finally, what does a perfect day at work look like for you?
Supervising a ground investigation in Cornwall in the summer, ideally when it is not raining.
We are proud to have Alex on the team and look forward to many more successful projects together.
