Aarti Raj

With decades of experience in a career that has spanned several markets and sectors, from broadcasting and central government buildings in London to healthcare and hospitals on Australia’s East Coast, Aarti Raj is a true cost and commercial leader and problem solver. Nurturing emerging talent along the way, Aarti’s career adventure has been founded on a simple guiding principle - ‘be brave and do it’. 

How did you get into what you do?

On family visits to London, I would see the variety of architecture and the number of buildings under construction and wondered how it all worked. I was curious and thought I could bring together my skills in maths and my creative side to design buildings. But I was also intrigued by the corporate side of things and so when my cousin mentioned surveying, I saw a route into the industry.

After qualifying as a Quantity Surveyor, the first few years of my career in consultancy were focused on gaining experience and exposure and gaining Chartered status. My first major project on that journey was at BBC Broadcasting House in Portland Place. There were so many elements to it as it combined old and new buildings; I learned so much and relished the challenge.

Later, when my daughter was two, we got the chance to move to Australia and I got to work across a range of sectors, including healthcare and retail. My role developed and I took on account leadership and managerial roles and gained wider exposure and support from my growing network in the industry.

We stayed in Australia for eight years, but when opportunities back in the UK came knocking, we decided to return. I took up cost and commercial management lead roles and became a bit of a trouble-shooter on a wide range of projects and frameworks. I also don’t mind being thrown in at the deep end; I like to seize the moment and this creative, forward-thinking outlook led me to Mace.

What do you enjoy most about your current role at Mace?

Not only are we an industry leader and a global business - the people and the culture here is also so positive and inclusive.

While I was in Australia, a positive approach to diversity was something that I championed as part of the RICS Oceania board, branching beyond everyday project work to supporting industry-wide initiatives, including the professional growth and career development of young people of all backgrounds and origins.

At Mace, this is something that is lived and breathed. In the cost and commercial management team there’s also a lot of diversity and we have role models at the most senior levels. Regardless of your personal journey, if you are talented, hard-working and the best for the job, the door is open to you.

Whether you’re an apprentice, a graduate, or someone new in your role, you will be valued, and your voice will be heard.

Why Mace?

As a global organisation with a great reputation in the industry, Mace always stood out for me. The strength of organisation, but especially its global reach, made the opportunity to join and get involved have huge appeal for me.

Throughout my career I’ve worked on projects across the globe and gathered learning and best practices as well as an understanding of client types, clients’ concepts of value and their drivers. Being at Mace allows me to apply this learning because we have a culture where colleagues and leaders share knowledge and take the time to actively listen. This means our teams pull together to deliver best value for our clients, and leaders put in the right level of support to ensure the best outcomes.

What motivates you every day?

My main motivation is about making a difference. I must have a purpose in my work, it’s in my DNA, and so being at a purpose-driven business, one with vision and ambition, is important to me.

When I look at the major global projects we work on, from amazing infrastructure projects such as the Hudson tunnel in the Americas, to the projects in the Middle East which are helping to transform entire countries, it’s inspiring and we’re doing this across each continent.

Contributing to this legacy and knowing that I can tell my children and my family I was part of it is a major motivation.

What skills do you need to be good at your job?

The core skills for me are the abilities to communicate effectively, to inspire trust and to help others to grow and develop.

I have a passion for developing people and, at Mace, I’m working with our emerging talent team to continue this work, helping bring the younger generation through and making sure they get the support that they need.

For me, much of the skill involved in being an effective leader is about what you can do for others - thinking about how to inspire, to bring out the best in colleagues and to help them to achieve their goals. Doing this well will mean that the business will achieve its objectives and deliver excellence for our clients.

What advice would you give to someone looking to get into what you do?

There’s a lot of demand for qualified construction and property professionals. In fact, there are skills shortages in some places, so make sure you put the miles in with the studies you need and grab those opportunities.

Every day is different; embrace the variety of the work you do. The more challenging or less exciting projects can offer useful learning or be a great point of reference for future projects, so embrace the tough stuff that others may not recognise as well as larger programmes of work – it’s all part of your career development.

If your circumstances allow it, be open to working in other countries and on other continents. Be brave and do it. As a family, we made a global move with a two-year-old and have no regrets about taking on the adventure! We made it work for all of us, and so I’d recommend being open to the opportunity that this industry can offer – don’t create barriers where they don't exist.

If you hadn’t got into this line of work what do you think you might be doing?

I think it would have to be an outdoor pursuits leader or travel blogger! I took part in many sports as a younger person, but now my main focus is on my love for hiking and outdoor adventures. Whether it’s in the mountains, being near the sea or walking along ravines, I love being in locations where you can be mindful. I enjoy being in calm spaces where I can take inspiration from nature and have time for creative thinking. Machu Picchu is the dream!