Name: Dr Dorte Rich Joergensen
Job title: Associate director, chapmanbdsp
What I do: I began as a mechanical building services engineer, but as a Danish native the connection with preserving the planet is ingrained and I embarked upon a DPhil (PhD) on improving energy efficiency to close the performance gap. I have joined chapmanbdsp to foster sustainability as a function within commercial operations.
Why I got into the property industry: I love engineering and buildings, especially with the climate change agenda it is a meaningful life with purpose. We are always learning and growing. We work across a wide range of disciplines with a diversity of people. My paternal grandfather was a builder and my father introduced me to engineering, so I have been connected to building from an early age. I was involved in putting in loft insulation at the age of eight, I was winding my first electric motor at 10 (it worked first time!) and discussed the innovative products my father had invented at 12.
How I did it: I continually identify with what I enjoy doing and know where my strengths lie while constantly challenging myself with the aim of giving my best, with a ‘golden thread’ of sustainability running through it all.
My first proper job: My first proper job in the built environment was as a research assistant at the University of Oxford whilst doing my D.Phil (PhD). Following my graduations, I became a graduate mechanical building services engineer at Arup.
My first big break: Applying from Denmark having completed a BSc (Hons) and being accepted to study a D.Phil at Oxford.
My inspiration(s): I am passionate about building high performing teams with a culture in which everyone can thrive. I enjoy working with like-minded people who share this vision and have a value driven approach to deliver a great service.
The biggest challenge I’ve encountered to date: To have a work/life balance!
My greatest achievement/proudest moment to date: When I returned to Denmark to speak at the Building Green event on sustainability where my speaking slot on stage was followed by the former European commissioner of climate change Connie Hedegaard. It was also special to be published in the Danish version of Financial Times (Børsen) as a ‘Golden Woman’ celebrating my achievements. I left Denmark with a bike, a suitcase and a £500 grant for my Oxford D.Phil. The rest is history!
The biggest misconception people have about the property industry: That the opportunities are limited. There is a truly diverse range of opportunities applying a breadth of skills, across several disciplines from architects, ecologists, MEP, fire, structures, civil engineers, quantity surveyors, etc. At the end there is a development or a building you can see and experience.
My biggest bugbear about the industry/the one thing I would change about the industry: The slow pace of change to help solve climate change. A lot is happening but we need greater collaboration to accelerate change, to ensure we meet our collective targets faster. Imagine being on the side of history as a generation that leaves a legacy for future generations so that they can live within planetary limits.
Why I’m so passionate about DE&I: We need to be fishing for talent from the biggest pool. DE&I is proven to create innovation and benefits the bottom line.
Why I’m so passionate about ESG: I am passionate about doing my bit to help provide solutions to climate change and ESG is a huge part of that.
Where I’d like to be in five years’ time career-wise: In the broadest terms I have three key themes for fulfilling my potential:
- Work on great projects with like-minded people where we keep raising the bar in the profession and delivering quality output and value for clients.
- Keep leading systems change in the built environment whilst translating ‘systems change’ into a service line being procured by clients.
- Continue to build ‘high performance teams’ that are recognised by industry and having strengthened the business.
Who I’d invite, living or dead, to a dinner party: Apart from my family and friends, I would invite those colleagues who are committed to do whatever it takes to solve climate change from across the world. I’d like to be joined by the Dalai Lama, Anita Roddick, Tony Robbins, JK Rowling and Baruch Blumberg the former master and Nobel prize winner of medicine with my allies, sponsors and mentors, so I can thank them and say hello.
What I do in my downtime: I am focused on personal development to keep growing; spending time in nature, exercising, volunteering, enjoying social time with family, friends and my cat, and travelling when possible.
The job I’d be doing if I was not doing this: I am so privileged to be working in a field that I believe I was born to do, and I really could not think of doing anything else.
My advice for someone just starting out: Find something you enjoy, even if it’s not what you expected to do, go for it and do it anyway because enjoyment is the true north!
My motto/mantra: “Be with what is now and show up as the best version of myself.”
