Angela Carney - MD of Carney Consultancy
Did you always envisage a career working in and around The Built Environment?
I’m a third-generation civil engineer in the family. So, being in the built environment was never really a question.
Tell us about your current role.
I am the MD of Carney Consultancy a health and safety consultancy and training organisation for the built environment and a director of Carney CDM, our new sister company, which undertakes CDM advisory and Principal Designer roles.
Tell us about your team.
We have a team of 13 and we are actively recruiting for another three staff as well as starting a graduate recruitment programme to hire a graduate for each of our companies. We are a mix of age ranges with a current ratio of five men and eight women. We have a recruitment plan to increase the number of women in the technical roles.
What are you currently working on?
Designing a graduate recruitment plan and programme to attract the next generation and the growth of both companies over the next five years.
What is your proudest career achievement?
I’m very proud we invest heavily in the development of our team. Our senior health and safety consultant, Sarah James, is an example of this. Before she came to us, Sarah was struggling to get her previous employer to invest in her training. After four years with us she achieved NEBOSH Certificate and Diploma, NVQ Level 6, Chartered membership status with IOSH, as well as doubling her joining salary. Sarah has now been given a fantastic career opportunity which could take her all over the globe. We could never offer her that currently, so she can now take this new role with confidence in her technical and competence as a health and safety professional, due to our investment in her.
What is your own favourite building?
Locally, Grey Street, Newcastle. How often do we really take the time to stop and look at the beautiful buildings on Grey street? Nationally, it would be the Houses of Parliament. I’m not particularly political but the architecture and detail is outstanding and it’s a building that has really stood the test of time.
How do you see your industry evolving over the next 10 years?
If we don’t proactively start changing our image as an industry we will struggle to recruit more people. The training and attracting of new people must start with employers training more people from scratch. This means investing time and money, rather than continually taking the easier option of poaching other firm’s staff.
There are some fabulous companies out there already doing this and while we all, at times, need to recruit established, experienced people, we need all companies to participate in attracting and training more new people and having a detailed training programme for trainees/apprentices, so they are involved in their own career path.
What does the future hold for your two businesses?
If we can attract the next generation and ensure we provide a suitable work environment to keep them engaged and happy then, along with our ambitious growth plans, our two businesses can really blossom. My fellow directors never thought, just a few short years ago, that by the time they were in their early 30s they would be business owners and directors, so there are endless opportunities as we grow.
Who would be your four ideal dinner guests?
Marcus Child, a motivational speaker who just lit me up and reignited the fire in me for business. Pink, she’s just awesome. Nelson Mandela, a person who can learn to forgive the way he did, has so many lessons to share. Dali Lama, he’s so insightful and inspirational.
How do you like to unwind?
Honestly, in peace walking the dogs in the woods, or reading books that ignite my passion for learning and developing as a mother, wife, friend and a leader.
Favourite Boxset?
The Inbetweeners – anyone who has seen it will know why. I guarantee it will make you laugh, whether you want to or not!
Favourite Book?
Dale Carnegie ‘How to Win Friends & Influence People’, first motivational book I read as a senior engineer and is the foundation of many of the other books I have read. I bought it for my fellow Directors and, although the lessons are from 1930s, they are as relevant today as they were then. Business is first, and foremost, about people.
www.carneyconsultancy.co.uk
