Michelle Robinson joined planning consultancy Barton Willmore, now Stantec, after a career in local authority planning spanning more than 20 years. The Newcastle practice is involved in a wide range of works including residential, leisure, commercial, health, education, construction, infrastructure and industrial projects.
What was your first job (and how much did it pay)? My first job was working in Shoe Express in Blyth for £2.16 per hour. My job was to ensure that the shelves were fully stacked with a range of sizes and the cardboard boxes were flattened.
What is the best advice or support you’ve been given in business? To be honest and hold your hands up to issues when things go wrong – easier to fix a problem as a team.
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What are the main changes you’ve seen in your business/sector, and what are the challenges you’re facing? There is much more of a joined approach to tackling major challenges. Planning is no longer about building. A good example is climate change. It is no longer seen as an environmental issue that the Government must solve. We can all play our part either as individuals or as a business. In planning, we provide the means in which the challenge can be tackled such as through sustainable drainage, a move towards zero carbon homes and opportunities for walking, cycling and public transport opportunities.
How has the pandemic changed the way you work? The pandemic was a very challenging time for so many people and I feel incredibly lucky that I experienced some betterment during this time. It made me appreciate the importance of good health, family and friends and even my back garden. There are so many people who don’t have the luxury of a garden. This has meant that my view on planning and development is more rounded and more open to appreciating the inequalities which exist across society. The opportunity to work from home and via online means has meant I have a much better work-life balance. The importance of both physical and mental health has been brought to the forefront in decisions and within the culture of businesses.
Who is your role model in business? I don’t think there is one role model in business/planning. Everyone brings different ideas to the table and if we are open, we can learn a lot from many different people.
What would your dream job be? I always wanted to be a planner from the age of 15. I had a passion for geography and place making so this is actually my dream job and I have worked hard to achieve it.
What advice would you give to someone starting out a career in your sector? Be open and resilient to change because it is inevitable.
What makes the North East a good place to do business? It’s definitely the people and their passion for the region.
How important is it for business to play a role in society? Planning is pivotal to how society operates and tackles the main challenges we face. Planning plays an important part in attracting and retaining business which leads to direct and indirect jobs through prosperity. It is also fundamental to tackling inequalities in society through addressing the housing crisis and the regeneration of our most deprived communities. This all has environmental consequences and through good planning and design, positive outcomes can be achieved such as delivering biodiversity net gains.
Outside of work, what are you really good at? My daughters have a pony so I have become very good at filling hay nets and cleaning out stables!
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