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How do they do it? Laura Marshall

Written by: Jez Abbott
Published on: 18 May 2015
Category:

Laura Marshall

Laura Marshall joined SLR Consulting as a principal in 2012, tasked with setting up a London office for the multidisciplinary practice. She joined from Malcolm Judd & Partners and before that started her career at Mono Consultants in Glasgow, specialising in the telecommunications industry. Marshall gained an MSc in environmental impact assessments (EIAs) after graduating in planning from Oxford Brookes University.

Q. What are your objectives in your current role and how are you measured against them?

My objectives involve balancing securing future work for the planning team as well as our other technical disciplines - we do a lot of cross-selling – with undertaking my own projects in planning and EIAs. And because this is an office in growth I work in recruiting staff; identifying and interviewing applicants for all disciplines.

Q. What key lessons have you learned during your career that help you to fulfil those objectives?

A. Be honest with clients and the team. Surprises are not always welcome and early identification of risk allows everybody to be informed.

Don't compromise your integrity. Relationships are key, but don't compromise yourself to keep them - always be true to your values and what you believe in. 

Don't dismiss career opportunities because of timing or location. Keep an open mind on unplanned changes; they might take you in a different direction but they will also widen your experience.