Get to know our talented women

Urban Foresight is a company with a diverse portfolio of expertise, covering everything from sustainable planning to infrastructure and economics. We have an incredibly talented team of individuals who share our core values but come from a wide variety of educational and professional backgrounds.  

One of the things that sets Urban Foresight apart is our dedication to fostering an inclusive, empowering, and progressive workplace culture. We believe that our diverse workforce and the passion of each of our team members are what make us truly special.  

To celebrate International Women’s Day, we want to showcase the breadth of expertise and skills within our fast-growing team. We spoke with several of our female staff members to learn more about what motivates them and why they love working at Urban Foresight. Here are some of their inspiring responses.  

 

Keep checking back here during the month of March as we’ll be adding new Q&As from our female team members every couple of days.  

If you would like to join a team of talented individuals, working together to turn big ideas into real projects with transformative impacts, then please check out our careers page.  

 

Maddy Thompson

→ Senior Consultant

 

What are your biggest motivations behind the work you do at Urban Foresight?

For me, it’s being able to make a difference. I lead lots of our health and social care projects and the ability to work with clients and partners to understand how we can make places healthier for all people is a genuine honour. 

 

What has been your career journey up to this point?

I was an academic, researching and teaching Health Geography from a feminist and postcolonial perspective. I was increasingly becoming disheartened with the academic way of doing things – research is very slow and it’s hard to make any impact. I wanted to leave but wasn’t sure where I would fit, until I found Urban Foresight! 

 

What work are you most proud of in your time with Urban Foresight?

So far, I’m most proud of my work with Social Care Wales. This was the first tender opportunity I saw when joining, and my first win! It requires critical understanding of my PhD topic – and gave our project team the opportunity to shape thought and practice in relation to social care recruitment. A key part of this, for me, is ensuring any changes do not negatively impact the workforce which is largely made of women. 

 

 

Lauren Kersley

→ Consultant

 

What are your biggest motivations behind the work you do at Urban Foresight?

Improving access to transportation and clean energy for all. With the growth of technology, we are in a unique place to ensure equality is a consideration in a variety of sectors, from transport and EV charging through to access to resources. 

 

What has been your career journey up to this point?

I studied for an undergraduate degree in Mechanical Engineering before completing a Master’s in Renewable Energy and Environmental Modelling. My time on these courses proved to me that more had to be done to meet net-zero targets and improve air quality in cities. I realised that innovative solutions would be vital. I reached out to Urban Foresight upon my graduation as I was interested in the work being done in Dundee through The MILL. 

 

Do you feel that society needs to keep evolving for us to collectively achieve equality for women? If so, what changes would you like to see, big or small?

I feel that evolution is still required in achieving equality for women. I feel that this issue should be thought of more in terms of equality for all. Not all people are the same, regardless of gender. Ideally, society should make considerations for everyone, rather than considering only at a gender-specific level. 

 

Tara Esfahani

→ Graduate Project Specialist

 

What are your biggest motivations behind the work you do at Urban Foresight?

What motivates me in my career path, particularly in my role at Urban Foresight, is pursuing positive societal change.

 

What has been your career journey up to this point?

I studied Urban Design in Iran and worked part-time in two different consultancies. I moved to the UK later to study City Planning at the University of Glasgow and completed an internship with Arup. Most of my experience whilst I was working in Iran was within small scale developments, but in my role with Urban Foresight I get to experience a wider variety of projects.

 

What appealed to you most about working at Urban Foresight?

I think the first thing that captured my attention was the broad nature of Urban Foresight’s portfolio, that really appeals to me. In my role, I am delving into lots of new projects and undertaking different research and management approaches that require me to stretch my mind, challenge myself and explore new areas of knowledge.

I was very much looking for a job that required a bit of everything; design, research, analysis and project management. I’m so happy I came across Urban Foresight.

 

Ciara Healy

→ Graduate Project Specialist

 

What are your biggest motivations behind the work you do at Urban Foresight?

At Urban Foresight a lot of the work we do has a material impact, which gives us the opportunity to make a real difference. Not only is our work interesting and current, but we work on a variety of different projects in different sectors and different places. No two days are the same.

 

What has been your career journey up to this point?

I joined Urban Foresight after completing my undergraduate degree in BA Geography at Newcastle University. I specialised in economic geography and my dissertation explored the evolving role of market towns within rural economies. It was through an interview for my dissertation that I found out about Urban Foresight, as the interviewee recommended that I look into the company given my research interests.

 

What work are you most proud of in your time with Urban Foresight?

I have been at Urban Foresight for 6 months and have been exposed to a broad range of projects in that time. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to gain such a variety of professional experience and I am developing expertise in evaluating national business and innovation support activities. Looking at my first finished report felt like a big achievement.

 

Do you feel that society needs to keep evolving for us to collectively achieve equality for women? If so, what changes would you like to see, big or small?

I feel very lucky to be able to work with and learn from so many intelligent and inspiring women and men every day. I hope one day all women work in a progressive environment like Urban Foresight where they feel empowered, valued and heard.

 

Lorraine Hammond

→ Marketing Manager

 

What are your biggest motivations behind the work you do at Urban Foresight?

I like the variety of work I am involved with. Knowing that it makes a positive impact is even better. I really have to believe in what I am marketing and the longer I am with the company the more I am amazed at the work that is being done to reduce carbon emissions and enable technology for the benefit of society. 

  

What has been your career journey up to this point?

I worked at The University of Nottingham for over 15 years in different marketing roles, and most recently at the Centre for Doctoral Training in Sustainable Hydrogen. This research centre was at the cutting edge of innovation in developing hydrogen as a viable sustainable alternative fuel. While there, I learned a huge amount and enjoyed being involved in that area so I did not hesitate when I relocated to Scotland and saw a role at Urban Foresight, where I could continue to work on sustainable projects. 

  

What work are you most proud of in your time with Urban Foresight?

I worked on a project to test a sustainable travel app. It was really satisfying to see a sharp increase in the use of this tool as a direct result of my work. 

  

Do you feel that society needs to keep evolving for us to collectively achieve equality for women? If so, what changes would you like to see, big or small?

I think the approach should be equality for all. Everyone should have a seat at the table. So any work to achieve this goal is a positive in my book. 

 

Melanie Buchanan

→ Office Manager

 

What are your biggest motivations behind the work you do at Urban Foresight?

I’ve always had a passion for environmental issues and wanted to work for an organisation that reflects my values.

Working for an organisation that is passionate and skilled at improving wellbeing, sustainability and prosperity (for both places and people), was really key for me.

 

What has been your career journey up to this point?

I’ve worked in Office Management for over 20 years and was a PA prior to this. My previous experience has been largely spent working with design offices, charities and corporate businesses.

During the pandemic I took my interest in sustainability up a gear by completing an environmental course. I saw the Office Manager vacancy at Urban Foresight after completing my studies and was eager to combine my professional office management experience with a great organisation that delivers meaningful social, economic and environmental projects.

 

What work are you most proud of in your time with Urban Foresight?

I’m proud to have been involved in setting up the fabulous new office in Dundee. As with any big move, it’s not been without its challenges, but seeing my colleagues settled into their new spacious work environment is very rewarding.

 

Do you feel that society needs to keep evolving for us to collectively achieve equality for women? If so, what changes would you like to see, big or small?

Previously in my career, I have seen the inequality that can exist between men and women. I’ve witnessed first-hand the impact of outdated behaviours towards women and the injustice that can happen at all levels. Thankfully, I’ve also seen some great improvements to old fashioned ideas too!

Society should always strive to evolve, reflect on differing attitudes and work together towards a fairer and more inclusive society for all. The beauty is, we all benefit from this.

 

Karen Hedley

→ Human Resources Manager

 

What are your biggest motivations behind the work you do at Urban Foresight?

My work helps to define a company’s people-related processes and culture. The people at Urban Foresight – the ‘Urbanites’ – are the most passionate, knowledgeable, fun but grounded professionals I have ever worked with. I want to use my skills to help and enhance the everyday experience of the team and the business to maintain that culture.

 

What has been your career journey up to this point?

I have been working in HR for 30 years across a number of different businesses. I began my career with BT and spent 25 years there building my skills in HR from the ground up. The structure and size of the company provided me with the opportunity to work in many sectors, such as engineering, customer care, corporate services and sales to name a few.

My time with BT provided me with a wealth and depth of experience that I felt I could put to good use in smaller independent companies. I recognised that my skills could help and contribute to their growth and success. I recently moved to Scotland and found Urban Foresight which feels like the perfect fit.

 

What work are you most proud of in your time with Urban Foresight?

Urban Foresight are growing quickly, so a current focus for me is within the areas of recruitment and employee onboarding. As well as continuously building the business’s HR foundations to help us achieve our goals and maintain a positive workplace culture. All of this makes me very proud to be an ‘Urbanite’.

 

Do you feel that society needs to keep evolving for us to collectively achieve equality for women? If so, what changes would you like to see, big or small?

I have seen a lot of change in equality for women in my career and it has been for the good, but there is still a way to go.

I believe in recruiting the ‘right person for the role’ based on the individual’s skills, experience and ability – nothing else. Over the course of my career that ideology has been challenged but I have witnessed resistance to this concept reduce dramatically.

From my experience, companies are – broadly speaking – fundamentally trying to live by a fairer approach to their workforce. My wish would be to see fairness in selection to continue to become more commonplace. Also, I’d like the concept of diversity and inclusion to no longer be seen as something new, that shouldn’t need to be considered if the ‘right person for the role’ ethos is in place.

 

Claire Colquhoun

→ Project Specialist

 

What are your biggest motivations behind the work you do at Urban Foresight?

Throughout university, I was very passionate about sustainability and how this could be brought into everyday life but also what it means for certain practices going forward.

 

 What has been your career journey up to this point?

I studied International Tourism Management at university and felt I was ready to put what I had learned through this degree into practice. I was specifically passionate about sustainability during my studies. I had worked in hospitality for many years at that point, up to being Front Office Manager. I knew I wanted a career change out of hospitality, but also wanted to keep the same elements of problem-solving and engagement.

After learning of the position within Urban Foresight, I felt it was a perfect fit and somewhere that put sustainability at the heart of their operations.

I joined the Electric Mobility team as a Graduate Project Specialist and got stuck into learning about all things zero-emission. After 12 months, I was promoted to Project Specialist and I’m able to bring my Tourism background to various projects.

 

What work are you most proud of in your time with Urban Foresight?

I am proud of all the work I have done whilst working at Urban Foresight. I enjoy getting to dig deep into new topics and to be challenged in many different ways.

 

Do you feel that society needs to keep evolving for us to collectively achieve equality for women? If so, what changes would you like to see, big or small?

A small change I would personally like to see is the removal of negative stereotyping when women exercise either their femininity or their intelligence. I feel the descriptors used for men and women in the same scenarios can often be quite different.