Career Profile: Hannah Fougner PISEP REnvP, senior marine consultant, Haskoning

Why did you become an environment/sustainability professional?

I have always been interested in sustainable development and wanted my career to be in a field that helps find that balance between progress and protecting our natural resources.

What is your current role and what does it involve?

I coordinate and lead aspects of the marine consenting and environmental impact assessment (EIA) processes for complex infrastructure projects, with a focus on floating offshore wind development.

What’s the best part and most challenging part of your work?

It’s constantly learning and adapting to changes. One day my job might involve thinking outside the box on new impacts that should be considered in EIA; another day it may involve rethinking strategy owing to new legislation or guidance.
Either way, it’s thoroughly enjoyable to be challenged; and working with colleagues to adapt to these challenges is one of the best parts of my job.

What are the most important skills for your role?

Collaboration and communication – which involves coordinating lots of different people and requires understanding and aligning differing viewpoints and perspectives to ensure that everyone works towards a shared goal.

Where would you like to be in five years’ time?

Continuing to lead and support the consenting process for innovative renewable energy projects that are helping to move us towards net zero.

What advice would you give to someone entering the profession?

Say ‘yes’ to different projects and types of work – try as many things as possible to get a sense of what elements of a job or industry feel rewarding and exciting to you.

Describe yourself in three words

Creative, driven, conscientious.

What motivates you?

Seeing the positive outcomes of the hard work and effort that our teams put into our projects.

Greatest risk you have ever taken?

Moving to England by myself in 2017 to attend university. While daunting at the time, I now love living in the UK and feel at home.

If you could go back in history, who would you like to meet?

George Woodwell, for his part in responding to global ecological and climate challenges.