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Alastair Mant, 32

Associate director and head of sustainability, GVA

How and why did you end up working in sustainability?
When I grew up we were recycling and growing things in the garden so I was always thinking about where things come from and what happens when you get rid of them. When looking into at it on a commercial and global scale, you realise that the way economies and consumerism works in the western world isn’t sustainable in any way.

What does your current role involve?
I have to spend some of my time on our internal corporate social responsibility functions, our environmental management system and training for staff. Then in the last two years there’s been a big rise in client interest around sustainability in property management and building consultancy.

Where would you like to be in 10 years’ time?
The end goal is that I’m not needed in a company like GVA. Ideally sustainability will be so embedded in everyone’s day-to-day role. It will no longer a specialism: it’s just how commercial property operates.

Amie Shuttleworth, 28

Project sustainability manager, Sir Robert McAlpine

Shuttleworth looks after sustainable design, procurement and construction methodology on Sir Robert McAlpine’s projects. She recently completed work on the Crown Estate’s Quadrant 3 project in central London.

How and why did you end up working in sustainability?
I did a degree in environmental science and had always been very interested in protecting the environment. It made sense to go into an industry that allows you to make a big difference.

What does your current role involve?
I look after the sustainable design, procurement and construction methodologies on projects. I’ve recently completed the Crown Estate’s Quadrant 3 project in central London.

Where would you like to be in 10 years’ time?
I’d like sustainability to be part of everyone’s responsibility on a site, whether they’re the project manager, site engineer or builder. Sustainability should be taken into consideration with every decision that’s made. I’d also like to be in a more strategic role and still working at McAlpine.

Ben Kidd, 29

Network manager, CIRIA

In his role at the Construction Industry Research and Information Association (CIRIA), Kidd is responsible for facilitating collaboration between industry bodies and firms and for managing events. At the moment he is working on bringing various industry voices together to inform the government’s nascent industrial strategy for construction.

How and why did you end up working in sustainability?
I started off with a maths degree and went on to do a Masters in environmental engineering. I went into consultancy for about five years before joining CIRIA.

What does your current role involve?
We work with industry to put together projects on sustainable construction, covering both buildings and infrastructure. I help to facilitate collaborations and manage events working with industry and keep up to speed with developments. I need to keep ahead of the game in terms of what the next big topic is going to be.

Where would you like to be in 10 years time?
I’d see myself in a similar but more central role, helping to bridge the gap between industry and government and shape future policy to make it more forward thinking. I hope I can progress into a role where I can really influence the sustainability agenda.