Karsons Newest Team Members

The last few months have been an exciting time of growth for Karsons. In July we welcomed Amal Mohamed (AM) and Jessica Hanlon (JH) to the Environmental and FM team. In August, our Operations team welcomed Skylar Whittle (SW), and September saw our Senior team grow with the addition of George Wall (GW). While our newest members have been settling into their roles, we thought it would be a good time to sit down with them and find out more about their backgrounds, what drew them to Karsons, how they’re navigating their new role, and of course, what building they would use to describe their personality.  

What has brought you to Karsons and your role specifically?

AM: I wanted to develop my experience within the FM and engineering environment and gain a better understanding of how buildings operate beyond the design stage. This role gives me practical experience and a broader view of the built environment.

GW: I had worked with Karsons in my previous role and consultancy was always a career goal. So, when the opportunity for a consultant position at Karsons came up, I went for it.

SW: I was looking for a role within a larger team that allowed me to combine being creative with being technical. When I was researching the role, one of the things that stood out to me from the Karsons website was: ‘We are a driven and friendly bunch of individuals.’ Since joining the team, that statement couldn’t have been more accurate.

JH: I previously worked in water compliance services, and joining Karsons has given me the opportunity to build on that experience while also learning more about the wider building services and facilities management industry.

Before joining Karsons, what were you doing and what was a typical day like?

AM: Before joining Karsons, I worked in a building services design role. A typical day involved reviewing technical information, working on drawings, coordinating designs and communicating with different members of the project team.

GW: I was an Operations Manager by title, but I covered everything from solving technical issues on sites, contract and people management, to advising on strategies and attempting to add processes to various workflows.

SW: I was previously a Gallery Assistant, so my days were varied. Sometimes it would be installing a new exhibition and liaising with artists, other days it could be working at an art fair or hosting an experimental drawing workshop.

JH: I was a Workshop and Warehouse Lead for a gluing solutions company. A typical day involved client demonstrations, troubleshooting technical issues, supporting project teams, and building and installing equipment for customers. Most days ended with me covered in glue and having roughly 100 nuts and bolts in my pockets - the washing machine hated to see me coming.

What’s been the biggest surprise since you joined?

AM: The biggest surprise has been seeing how much work happens behind the scenes to keep buildings running smoothly. It has been interesting to see how design decisions can impact a building throughout its operation.

GW: The fact that I look forward to lunch. The local choices are so diverse, and I’m not used to this. I never thought it could be this good!

SW:  Being able to attend audits and seeing the inner workings of a building has been the biggest surprise. Seeing first-hand the amount of machinery and systems (and paperwork) that goes into keeping a building running smoothly has changed the way I look at any building.

JH: Probably how many steps you end up doing in London! But the biggest surprise has been meeting people from such varied backgrounds. Everyone seems to have a different route into the industry, which makes it interesting.

What’s something people might not realise about your new role?

AM: People might not realise how varied FM and engineering can be. There are many systems and processes involved.

GW: My primary focus will eventually be projects, from procurement to management and delivery.

SW: There are a lot of clients and contractors that we work with, so it’s important to make sure you’re communicating with the right people. If you’ve ever received an email from me, know that I’ve spent about 10 minutes just QA’ing it.

JH: It's not just about fixing things. A lot of the job involves investigating issues, writing reports, meeting clients, and understanding how entire buildings operate.

What skills from your previous experience have proven most useful here?

AM: My design experience has been very useful, particularly understanding drawings and building services principles. Communication and attention to detail have also helped me work effectively with different teams.

GW: Having worked as a service provider for several years, I have strong skills in engaging and managing sub-contractors of all disciplines. I enjoy seeing a project completed to a high standard.

SW: Being able to work on several projects with different deadlines and keeping up with that has probably been the most useful skill that I’ve been able to transfer to Karsons. We’re always working on different reports or meetings, so it helps being able to switch between projects and adapt to things quickly.

JH: Communication. I enjoy talking to people (probably too much), and my previous roles have helped me develop strong relationship-building skills and the ability to adapt my approach to different clients and situations. Being confident, approachable, and able to connect with people from all backgrounds has probably been one of my biggest strengths in the role.

What’s one thing from your previous industry or role that you’d love to bring into the FM and engineering world?

AM: I would like to bring more of the design mindset into FM and engineering, focusing on continuous improvement and looking at problems from both a technical and practical perspective.

GW: I feel one of my strengths is people skills and I will use that to make and strengthen relationships that will allow us to deliver anything that our clients throw at us.

SW: Collaboration. At the end of the day, we’re all working towards the same goal, and it helps to surround yourself with those who you trust to share that same vision with.

JH: I'd bring the attitude that every problem has a solution, along with a proactive mindset for identifying potential issues early. In my experience, preventing a problem is usually much easier than fixing one later.

If your personality could be represented by a building, which one would you choose?

AM: I would choose the Palm House at Kew Gardens because I love nature, history, and travelling. It is a beautiful historic building surrounded by plants from around the world, which reflects my curiosity and interest in learning about different places and cultures.

GW: Millbank Tower. Because I’m old, complicated, but still going strong. 

SW: Somerset House. The building has such a rich history, and it’s one of those buildings that has cemented itself within the cultural landscape of London. 

JH: I'd be a castle. Strong, full of character, a bit chaotic, and usually the loudest thing around. There’s always something happening, and I'm rarely far from the centre of attention. Built to withstand a siege on the outside, but a lot softer than people expect once you get past the walls.

It’s been great having new faces and experiences around the office and we can’t wait to see them grow into their new roles at Karsons!