Nicola Goldup and Gary Souch are experienced Cost Consultants at Tetra Tech hoping to inspire more people to pursue cost consultancy as a career.
What made you interested in pursuing a career as a Cost Consultant?
Nicola: Following in my father’s footsteps, who worked for a large contractor as a contracts manager, I’d spend my summer holidays helping on my dad’s sites, so it became a natural career choice for me. Despite there being very few woman in my university degree program, I viewed this as an opportunity rather than a hindrance. I have since gained invaluable experience working with housing associations, major ports, and a diverse range of multi-disciplinary consultants before making the transition to Tetra Tech.
What do you find to be the most rewarding aspects of your work?
Nicola: Building enduring and meaningful connections with my clients has proven to be instrumental in our collective triumphs, particularly when spearheading high-profile framework bids such as the Peel Ports Group. However, it is worth highlighting that our successes extend beyond these endeavours, as we have also made substantial strides in the realm of Housing frameworks having achieved places on Adra, Forhousing, Grwp Cenefin to name a few, frameworks.
What sets Tetra Tech’s Cost Consulting services apart from other firms?
Gary: What truly sets Tetra Tech’s Cost Consulting services apart from other firms is our commitment to excellence and client-focused approach. We pride ourselves on being a close-knit team of professionals who understand the unique needs of our clients. This allows us to not only provide top-tier advice but also to assign the most suitable experts to each project. Our emphasis on professionalism and competence ensures that our clients receive the highest level of service and satisfaction. Moreover, our extensive network within Tetra Tech empowers us to offer a fully integrated, synergised service tailored to the specific requirements of each client. Our dedication to building enduring and meaningful connections with clients has played a pivotal role in our collective successes, making us a standout choice for recruits seeking a dynamic, client-centric environment.
How are you able to make a significant impact through your work?
Nicola: Our commitment to the communities we operate in extends to providing social value. A prime example of this commitment is reflected in our engagement with local schools neighbouring the developments we undertake. We extend our support by organizing educational presentations, workshops, and school visits, providing a unique opportunity for local school children to learn about our ongoing projects. The aim of these visits is to offer insights into our development processes, the methods employed, and the individuals involved. While children are naturally drawn to the activity, machinery, and materials on a construction site, they often lack awareness of the associated hazards. We take care to include safety education within our presentations, in hopes of preventing any unauthorized access incidents involving children.
Would you recommend cost consultancy to young professionals who may be unsure of what’s next?
Gary: No doubt. For example, by studying Quantity Surveying and Project Management, our apprentices are gaining invaluable skills that are transferable into everyday life, such as communication, leadership, negotiation, problem-solving, budget management, and conflict management, to name a few. On top of this, the work proves varied and interesting.