Denise previously worked in various personnel and training officer roles within the maritime industry where she was responsible for the personnel and training development of the technical crew on both cruise ships and aggregate dredgers. After seven years she reached a point in her career where further training was required to progress; it was at this point she decided to take the leap and attend university to re-train in a discipline that she always had an interest in.
Solent University was an obvious choice, not only for the degree and facilities, but the teaching team were extremely supportive and encouraging in her application as a full-time mature female student. She graduated in 2012 having gained a First in the BSc Construction Management degree.
Throughout her time at Solent, Denise worked part time for a medium-sized contractor supporting their production team, and with a small commercial developer.
After graduating she started work immediately and now has five years’ experience with large contractors in the pre-construction department. Denise continues to work part-time as an estimator, working on projects ranging from £20 million to £70 million. This means that her industry knowledge is very current, and students benefit from her knowledge of current trends and procedures with an industry perspective.
During her working life Denise has had extensive experience with training, work experience and encouraging up-skilling. Her passion is to build the profile of the construction industry from not just being out in the cold on a dirty site, and especially to encourage more females to consider construction as a rewarding career choice.