Name: Laura Hennessy
Job title: Senior quantity surveyor, McBains
What I do: I work on a variety of construction projects from stage zero through stage seven.
Why I got into the property industry: I was drawn to the property industry because it offers a balance of both office-based work and the opportunity to be out on-site engaging with the physical environment. I also like that it’s a career that contributes positively to the community. The prospect of being able to see tangible results and play a key role in creating spaces that serve a meaningful purpose is a significant motivator for me.
How I did it: I was accepted onto a degree course, but before starting I applied for work experience with a number of companies. The door opened for me when a friend of a friend told me about McBains. It was a niche find and the best decision I could have made.
My first proper job: During my degree, I worked for McBains in every break. In my third year, I started full-time employment with McBains whilst still studying for a degree full-time.
My first big break: McBains director Adrian Southgate brought me into the company and gave me an opportunity when I had no experience, which I am very grateful for. The company very quickly progressed me through the ranks and gave me excellent support.
My inspiration(s): The person who I aspire to be and look up to is Adrian Southgate. No matter my age or experience level, he has always been willing to pick up the phone to support me at any time. Most, importantly he gives people with no connections or experience an opportunity, something I think the world lacks currently. There is so much talent lost when the corporate door is closed to people without connections.
The biggest challenge I’ve encountered to date: Being rejected for work experience by a number of major companies before being accepted by McBains.
My greatest achievement/proudest moment to date: Being nominated for RICS Surveyor of the year 2024 was an honour. This is built on my work on NatWest’s One Spinningfields Square office refurbishment in Manchester, which was recently named a BCO Regional Awards Winner and has received RICS SKA gold accreditation. I’m also proud of my work on the Cambridge Housing Society’s decarbonisation programme, and of representing McBains for the past three years at the BCO Annual Conference in Dublin and Birmingham.
The biggest misconception people have about the property industry: That because you’re acting for big construction companies it’s all about making money. Actually, there’s a huge amount of good that you can do for the world by developing the green buildings of the future. Buildings have a huge impact on reducing our net emissions, and you can also reduce people’s housing costs by building more sustainably. This results in lower maintenance costs and in buildings being more resilient and therefore carrying fewer environmental risks.
My biggest bugbear about the industry/the one thing I would change about the industry: It should be easier for people from non-privileged backgrounds to apply for jobs. I hear so many horror stories of surveying graduates who can’t find jobs or even get the experience they need to get in the door. It shouldn’t just be about who you know when it comes to gaining work experience. Separately, there’s still a very slow uptake of change and innovation in the industry – it’s conservative in getting up to speed with the pace of change in other industries.
Where I’d like to be in five years’ time career-wise: In five years, I aim to be in a leadership role where I can influence not only the success of key projects but also the broader direction of the industry. As a senior quantity surveyor, I want to leverage my technical skills and experience to manage larger, more complex projects while also contributing to innovation in sustainable construction and cost management. Additionally, I hope to be a mentor and advocate for diversity within the industry, helping to create more opportunities for young professionals, particularly women, to thrive. By leading by example and challenging the status quo, I want to ensure that the next generation sees the property industry as a space for growth, innovation, and inclusivity.
Who I’d invite, living or dead, to a dinner party: Ricky Gervais and David Attenborough.
What I do in my downtime: I play football at a semi-professional level.
The job I’d be doing if I was not doing this: I started my working life as a footballer, but at the time it wasn’t viable as a career for women. I began working as a football coach for professional football clubs. However, this was still a very tight career pathway, and much too slow for me in terms of career progression. Things have certainly changed now for women and football, and I would be very excited as a young girl for the opportunities available now.
My advice for someone just starting out: Your network and experience are everything. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Reach out to anyone and everyone that you that you can. You learn best from a variety of people, as one person’s way of doing something is very different from someone else’s. I would also advise getting a foot in the door with a potential employer through work experience before you invest in a degree. Once you get into the industry you can move around and find your feet.
My motto/mantra: ‘Driving change for the better, One project at a time.’
