People and Culture
At the start of the 2019 financial year, the GHD People community kicked off a multi-year business plan focused on creating a workplace in which every individual, irrespective of background is able to bring their whole self to work. We believe that only then can our people utilise their full capability and capacity in service of each other, our clients and our communities. We call this Thriving@GHD.
The diversity of our people helps us grow
Tai Hollingsbee
The diversity of our people’s thinking is exemplified by Tai Hollingsbee who first joined GHD in 2010. In 2015 he co-founded a technology company that develops prefabricated, zero carbon, community-built housing for remote regions in Australia and around the world. Tai returned to GHD this year as our National Building Engineering Leader.
Based in Melbourne, Australia, Tai is widely recognised for his work in building physics, sustainability and the application of technology to improve performance outcomes across a diverse range of complex engineering projects. He has led complex, multi-million dollar projects in China, United States, United Kingdom, Africa, Qatar, Canada, Hong Kong, Vietnam and Australia.
Tai is driven to deliver high-performance built environments that strive toward a zero carbon footprint, he says, “Through evidence-based design that goes beyond traditional design approaches, I am passionate about using our breadth of services to help our clients achieve rational, cost-effective buildings that enhance the experience of the people who use them.”
Nipa Basu
With more than 25 years’ experience in transforming data into actionable insights for Fortune 500 companies globally, Nipa Basu is the Global Practice Director of Digital Intelligence at GHD Digital. She has proven expertise in enterprise-wide transformation utilising advanced data management and application of analytics to generate significant revenue from data monetisation.
Prior to joining GHD Digital, Nipa was Chief Analytics Officer with Dun & Bradstreet Inc., driving the success the analytics practice.
A digital insights expert, Nipa is noted by clients and colleagues for her ability to communicate effectively to business and technical audiences alike. Equal part scholar and businesswoman, Nipa received her Ph.D. in economics from the State University of New York at Albany, specialising in econometrics.
Jack Lyons
GHD is an official network partner of the Neurodiversity Hub that supports and provides ongoing opportunities globally for neurodiverse students who may never make it into the workforce due to lack of opportunities, differences in communication skills or other factors.
Jack Lyons has autism spectrum disorder and has been recruited as a participant in the program working from our Melbourne office in Australia. Jack is currently gaining skills in the use of design documentation modelling software which is helping further his passion for 3D modelling. Next year Jack will become part of the 2020 Graduate program.
Our neurodiversity program will soon be expanded into North America in a move to embed a fresh approach to attracting diverse talent, improve the employability of neurodivergent students like Jack and deliver strong technical solutions to our clients.
Sioban Hartwell
Passionate about all things water, Sioban’s career has been truly global having worked on projects across the United Kingdom, Australia, North America and New Zealand.
As Market Leader - Water, New Zealand it is the diversity of the role she enjoys most, “I can be on the west coast of NZ one day working with long term mining clients to solve a specific site issue and the next day sitting in a governance meeting for one of our major water panels”.
A Fellow of Engineering New Zealand, and former President of Water New Zealand, Sioban’s clients regularly call on her experience in water infrastructure, with mine water and urban stormwater being particular focus areas. However, it is the ability to work across regions, and draw on GHD’s diverse pool of talent to support all of GHD’s water teams and clients that she really values, “I feel genuinely connected and supported by the wider global community – while growing and diversifying our business to support our clients in New Zealand.”