‘It’s proof you can build a career around your values and still be taken seriously’

“There is, of course, a sense of responsibility in using my influence to contribute to the industry and wider society but that, in turn, is a source of huge motivation for me,” she told CM. “I am at the stage in my working life where I want to encourage and support others to find their place in our amazing sector, and promote the importance of becoming professionally qualified to others.”

Crichton and Collas’s fellow committee member Paloma Hermosa, head of sustainability at Ward Williams Group, also graduated with FCIOB. She said: “Becoming a fellow of the CIOB honestly feels a bit overwhelming… in the best way. When I moved to the UK and made a complete career change, I never dreamed I’d come this far. My path into construction wasn’t straightforward; it’s been full of twists, leaps of faith and moments of doubt. That’s why this recognition feels so personal, it’s a reminder that the risks, the long hours, the times I felt out of place, have all added up to something meaningful.

“For me, it’s not just about career milestones, but more about the people I’ve met, the teams I’ve led, the students I’ve taught and the small ways I’ve tried to make the industry fairer, greener and kinder. It’s proof that you can build a career around your values and still be taken seriously.