Kerry Smith

Describe what the Mott Mac Life means to you in three words

Inspiring, opportunities, collaboration

What do you enjoy about working here?

The breadth of my role - no day is ever the same. I love seeing that lightbulb moment amongst stakeholders when they realise that what I do will add value to what they do and ultimately enable us all to work better together. I particularly like working across such a diverse region - our businesses are different and so are the countries we work across.

Tell us about your specialism and why you chose it

I am the equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) manager across International Development, South Asia and the Middle East. I haven't always worked in EDI, and have also had roles in the public and not-for-profit sectors. EDI was something I ended up doing as I have always seen the value of people in a business - they are our biggest asset. Over the years I have seen how being respectful and fair can change the culture of a business and turn it into a place where people can thrive and strive.

Why did you choose Mott MacDonald as a company you wanted to be part of? 

I wanted to take my EDI knowledge into a business where I could work across many countries looking at what EDI means to us all. I really liked the One Mott MacDonald message and our values. The fact we have one common goal to grow and be successful whilst respecting each other really appealed to me and my EDI role. I wanted a challenge and Mott MacDonald hasn't disappointed.

How has your career progressed since joining? / How has Mott MacDonald invested in your career?

I have learnt so much since starting here. My skillset around how I engage with people, collaborate and promote the business case for EDI has really grown. My overall knowledge on how EDI can work across a global business has also developed and I have also been given opportunities to learn and have more experiences. One of these opportunities was completing our Emerging Leaders programme, focused on supporting our people with leadership skills and development. This was a brilliant experience, and I've now signed up to be an Emerging Leader buddy for colleagues currently on the programme.

How do you demonstrate Technical Excellence in your work? 

EDI is a technical discipline in that it has elements of change management, employee engagement, learning and development. Sometimes I even find myself looking at accessibility audits both for physical premises and in our ever-growing digital platforms. EDI crosses many technical areas as it is in all we do.

Where in the world has your role taken you?

My remit goes across many countries, so I consider myself incredibly lucky to be able to travel and work with my colleagues. I’ve visited India and the Middle East, and on a daily basis meet virtually with colleagues across Africa and Europe.

Are you involved in any additional initiatives at Mott MacDonald, aside from your day-to-day role?

I chair our region's CSR committee and Advance Network. CSR naturally links into EDI as I believe when we can, we should always give back and be part of that change for the better. Being chair of the CSR committee also led me to join the Board of Trustees of a local Croydon charity which provides mental health services and life strategies for young people. So an interest that started at Mott MacDonald has led me to want to do more in the local communities we serve. You never know where your interests will take in work and beyond! I'm also part of the knitting and crochet circle we set up in our London office, a friendly diverse group of people united in our love of the fibre arts.