Learning a client-first philosophy

Over the past 12 months, in my role as Assistant Project Manager at Blu Building Consultants, I have made significant progress in my professional development.

When I joined the business, my experience of project management was limited, particularly in relation to full project lifecycles, stakeholder management, and delivery within live healthcare environments. Through practical experience, strong mentorship, and ongoing support from the team, I have developed both the knowledge and confidence to contribute to and manage projects with increasing independence.

A key part of this development has been taking ownership of a varied range of projects. One of my first major schemes was the Aston Ward heating upgrade, completed in late 2025, which introduced me to working within a live mental health ward where safety and compliance are paramount. The project strengthened my understanding of specialist healthcare products and improved my ability to coordinate works sensitively within an operational clinical environment.

Another significant project was the Murton Court flat roof refurbishment. Returning to a familiar residential setting in a new professional capacity allowed me to demonstrate my development while building confidence in managing contractor relationships and overseeing works from a client-side perspective.

My largest project to date has been the Hoddesdon Health Centre internal refurbishment, delivered within a live acute healthcare environment. This required careful planning, close coordination, and clear communication to minimise disruption to clinical operations, while strengthening my confidence in managing more complex schemes with multiple stakeholders.

I also managed the Beech Ward courtyard refurbishment, a design-led project that enabled me to work closely with an architect and contribute to the design process. With my background in architecture, this was particularly rewarding and reinforced the value of creating spaces that positively support patient wellbeing.

Alongside project delivery, I have taken advantage of professional development and networking opportunities. Attending Design in Mental Health in 2025 and 2026 was a particular highlight, and returning with practical experience allowed me to engage more confidently with suppliers and better understand the application of products and innovations in live settings. Joining the NextGen Healthcare Network has also broadened my perspective through webinars and connections with other professionals in the sector.

Alongside my day-to-day role, I have been working towards my CIOB chartership, which has provided a valuable framework for reflecting on my progress. The range of projects and experiences I have undertaken has given me strong evidence for my competencies and helped me demonstrate clear progression in knowledge, responsibility, and professional judgement.

One of the most valuable aspects of this year has been the support and mentorship I have received from the team at Blu Building Consultants. Working in a collaborative environment where I have been given both guidance and responsibility has been instrumental in learning a client-first philosophy.

Overall, this year has provided a strong foundation for my career in project management. I am proud of the progress I have made and look forward to continuing to build my technical knowledge, develop my experience, and take on greater responsibility in the future.