SYSTRACast - The podcast for SYSTRA in the UK and Ireland

Jen Aston, Discipline Lead - Environment and Planning at SYSTRA, shares the vital role landscape architecture plays in infrastructure projects.

We spoke to our Project Controls Director Andy Gubbins to find out how his experience as an apprentice helped prepare him for senior leadership.

Hear from Gbenga Oludotun, our Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) Lead, on how MMC is challenging the infrastructure industry norms and contributing to safer, more efficient projects. 

From advocating for the environment at school to leading our sustainability efforts at SYSTRA, our Sustainability Lead Riona Ainge gives an insight into her career.

Gareth Davies, Market Director for Water and Environment, shares his insights into the UK’s water and environmental sectors.

Hear from Network Rail’s Sophie Bancroft about what she’s learned throughout her career journey from a graduate at Transport for London to Rail Operations Director at Network Rail.

Hear from David Camacho, Programme Manager at SYSTRA, about how about the past, present and future of the railway.

Hear from Lou Garrick, Geologist, about how she’s navigated her career as a disabled woman in the industry. She opens up about overcoming barriers, coming into the industry through an unconventional route, and how she strives to make the industry more inclusive for all.  

Find out about what innovation means at SYSTRA and how we strive to create a collaborative, innovative working environment.

Our Engineering Lead in Ireland, Jean-Michel Najarre, explores how enhancing Ireland’s infrastructure will drive positive change across the country.

Emma Jolly (Associate) shares how she got a start in transport planning, the impact mentoring has had on her journey, and how the industry has become more inclusive over the past few years.

SYSTRA Ireland’s Business Director, Ian Byrne, shares the important role SYSTRA projects are having in the transition to a greener, more active Ireland.

Charlotte Woodhall-Jones shares how a love of the natural environment led to a career in engineering geology, and the unique challenges being a woman in engineering can come with.

We’re joined by Ruth Gregory, Senior Design Co-ordinator, who opens up about her experience as a full-time carer for her child. She shares how she balances the two roles, offering an insight into the unique challenges carers navigate and how this has had an impact on her working life.  

Our Marketing and Communications Director, Gemma Rathbone, shares her journey in the communications world and how it’s led to a fulfilling career in the transport and infrastructure industry.

With summers getting warmer and longer, many of us will be exploring new ways to cool off whilst staying active throughout the season. We spoke to colleagues to learn more about the benefits of wild swimming and paddleboarding, and how you can stay safe whilst trying out a new water sport this summer.

Understanding your ADHD and how to work with it can have a significant impact on your life both personally and professionally. For many people, receiving a formal diagnosis is an important part of this process. Lou Garrick (Geologist) returns with SYSTRA colleagues Benedict Andrews (Project Analyst), Daniel Dekker (Consultant) and James Edwards (Modeller) who share their insights around ADHD diagnosis.

Hear from Adam and Arron, Civil Engineering Degree Apprentices, on how SYSTRA stood out to them as an apprenticeship provider.

Looking back on their journeys as degree apprentices, Jaden Neal (Degree Apprentice - Architecture) and Mohamed Baaziz (Degree Apprentice – Development and Infrastructure) share their advice for those just starting an apprenticeship and how they’re preparing for the next stage in their careers. 

Hear from civil engineering degree apprentice Joseph Dean on how a passion for railways has driven his career forward.

We all have different ways of balancing our time in and out of work. Throughout SYSTRA, many colleagues work flexibly around family care, wellness activities and much more! Our host Vicky Iggo (Senior Consultant – Ecology) spoke to Wellness Champions Charlotte Woodhall-Jones (Discipline Lead – Geotechnics), Oliver Birkill (Team Leader – Civil Engineering) and Christopher Shaw (Associate Director) on how they navigate flexible working.

Hosted by Morgan Coates (Graduate Civil Engineer), our second installment of our apprenticeship podcast series explores Alex’s journey so far in railway engineering as a degree apprentice. He shares the ups and downs of specializing early on in his career, and how an apprenticeship can be a fast track to chartership.

Morgan Coates (Graduate Civil Engineer) sat down with Civil Engineering Degree Apprentice Sahina Sameerah to find out why she chose the degree apprenticeship route.

SYSTRA colleague Charlotte Rogers (Business Transformation Director) shares her experiences living with Seasonal Affective Disorder.  Along with Fran MacKenzie (HR Business Partner and Wellness Champion), she explores how SAD can affect you, what treatment options are available, and how to support others with the disorder.

Have you wondered about what ADHD really is, how the symptoms can differ between people, and what impact (both positive and negative) it can have in the workplace? In this episode, Lou Garrick (Geologist) is joined by SYSTRA colleagues Benedict Andrews (Project Analyst), Daniel Dekker (Consultant) and James Edwards (Modeller) who share their experiences living with ADHD.

What is fibromyalgia, what impact can it have on someone’s life and what can you do to manage your symptoms? We explored these questions and more with Rachel Goodwin, Senior Planner, who’s been living with fibromyalgia for over 20 years.

With World Suicide Prevention Day falling on September 10th, we spoke to James Edwards, Modeller, about his journey with mental health, including his experience navigating suicidal thoughts. To reduce the stigma around suicide, we cover potential warning signs to spot, what professional help may be available, the impact other conditions can have on your mental health and how employers can better support employees struggling with their mental health.   If you or someone you know is affected by any of the topics discussed in this episode, you can find resources and support on the Mind.org.uk website.

Fatima Almaarofi (Civil Engineer) shared how her journey led her from Iraq to the UK and how she navigated the struggles of moving to a new country and starting a new path in her career. By sharing her story, she hopes to inspire other women looking to explore careers in engineering and construction.

We’re joined by Irineos Livadiotes (Principal Consultant) and Amy Sykes (Director) to introduce business cases. We cover what business cases are, what role they play in transport and how SYSTRA supports clients with them.

Holly Wallace (Assistant Business Development Manager), along with colleagues Rachel Goodwin (Senior Planner), Steven Livingstone (Associate Director) and Aline Roach (Assistant Management Accountant), explore managing stress and mental health in the workplace.