Sam Harper: Opportunities to be optimistic – living and working in Somerset

In this podcast season, curated in partnership with Somerset Chamber of Commerce, hgkc are exploring Somerset with prominent business leaders who have made their lives and their careers in the county. In this episode, Peter Quintana speaks to Sam Harper. Born in Somerset, Sam describes himself as a proud Somerset person, ‘privileged to live and work in this wonderful place’. He travelled as far north as Bristol (!) to study for his geography degree and then overseas to see the world but has made his life in Somerset since returning to the UK in 2008.After working as a town planner in the public sector, he joined Stantec in 2019, where he is now Director of Planning and Growth. He has worked on many significant projects in Somerset – Hinkley Point, Gravity, Nexus – but is also proud of some of the smaller projects he has delivered, including improving pedestrian and cycle connections in Taunton town centre. In a wide-ranging conversation that includes the role of Somerset’s academic institutions as well as the need for investment in housing and new employment opportunities, Sam’s love for Somerset shows through. He ends with a plea to young people to take a look at what is on offer for them in the county – training and career options, as well as the quality of life living in Somerset offers. If you would like find out more about the work Stantec do, or find out more from Sam about opportunities he sees around the county, you can contact him here.If you would like more information about hgkc help clients navigate their business towards their goals, please contact us here.