Australia 
Brazil 
Canada 
Chile 
China 
Columbia 
Denmark 
France 
India 
Indonesia 
Ireland 
Italy 
Malaysia 
New Zealand 
Norway 
Panama 
Peru 
Poland 
Portugal 
Saudi Arabia 
Singapore 
South Korea 
Spain 
Sweden 
Taiwan 
Thailand 
United States 
Vietnam 
Role: Sustainability Lead
Career Area: Environment and Sustainability
Location: London
My role at SYSTRA
This brand new role of Sustainability Lead has been designed and formed in consultation with both our engineering and consultancy colleagues, and will help drive real progress and performance across our existing ‘four pillars’ of sustainability (carbon action, environmental stewardship, social purpose and responsible business).
Within this role, my early priorities will focus on our future carbon management performance and improving our social value offering in the communities in which we are operating.
My career journey
I undertook a BSc (Hons) in Geology and Physical Geography at the University of Birmingham receiving a First Class Joint Honours Degree and an MSc Environmental Management at the University of Nottingham with a Distinction, whilst working part-time at Kier Highways as a Graduate Environmental Advisor. This furnished me with the knowledge of environmental mitigation and management. I have since worked in several environmental roles and found ways to deliver sustainability, principally within the infrastructure sector.
In 2018, I started my career as a Graduate Environmental Advisor for Kier Highways. There, I led environmental assessments for highway improvement and renewal schemes. In 2020, I joined SYSTRA as a Consultant in the Planning and Consents team, working on the Main Works Civils Contractors HS2 contract. I coordinated consents applications, mitigated environmental impacts and ensured design was approved by Lead Local Flood Authorities and the Environment Agency. I was then seconded as a Sustainability Manager for Balfour Beatty VINCI SYSTRA, working on the delivery of HS2 at Old Oak Common Station (OOC). I ensured key environmental indicators were met throughout the project, including working on achieving an Outstanding rating for Construction with BREEAM, ensuring OOC met the 2014 non-domestic building sustainability standards.
We asked Riona…
When did you realise this was the career path for you?
Since the earliest stages of my education, I have been drawn to earth sciences and the environment to make a positive change. With an earnest interest in the natural world, I led a group in secondary school called ‘Eco-Schools’ to encourage students to be more environmentally considerate. Since then, I have looked at ways to tailor my education and career towards the environment and sustainability.
Have you got any words of wisdom for someone starting out in a similar role?
If you are passionate about the environment and sustainability, I believe it is important to go beyond your day-to-day role and find ways of promoting and encouraging sustainability. Consider your Carbon Handprint – this is the opposite of a footprint. This looks at the actions you are taking to have a positive impact on the climate. A footprint evaluates you contribution to global warming, but your handprint evaluates your actions that help reduce climate change beyond your own value chain.
How does SYSTRA stand out from the rest as a great place to work?
SYSTRA encourages great initiatives and projects outside of the day-to-day work, many that I have fortunately been a part of, or would love an opportunity to get involved in, such as the Bridges to Prosperity programme, the Next Generation Leadership Team, SPARK Challenges promoting new and innovative ideas amongst colleagues, volunteering and various sustainability projects. SYSTRA has always nurtured and supported professional development. SYSTRA is also a very open, welcoming and a progressive organisation, with some great global opportunities on offer.
With such power in diversity, what unique perspective do you bring to the table?
Only 35% of STEM students in higher education in the UK are women. As a young female in this role, I bring a different perspective through my experiences. By being visible across SYSTRA and BBVS for exploring other opportunities, moving into different roles and being willing to adapt, I hope this encourages other women to follow their passions.
Where is the place that has inspired you the most?
University inspired me to go beyond usual parameters, consider research and think outside of the box. As I have done at SYSTRA, I chased lots of different opportunities and joined different societies to build bigger networks and get the most out of the experience. Additionally, moving to London has been inspiring because it is fast-paced and there is so much to do and see.
What does true sustainability really mean to you?
Sustainability by definition is “meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs” (Brundtland, 1987). By taking on this role, I hope that together we can ensure that SYSTRA are not only working on existing and future projects, but as an organisation are creating sustainable, long-term value and positively impacting the environment.
What would a green future look like?
For SYSTRA it is seeing the organisation as a leading sustainable transport and infrastructure company, surpassing all the targets that have been set and being harmonious with nature. In the future, a green future will involve investing in sustainable initiatives, carbon management, creating a workforce with ‘green skills’, bringing in talent, adapting to change… the list goes on and the opportunities are endless.
If you had to pick, which mode of transport would you use for the rest of your life?
Rail would be my preferred form of transport, and it is in keeping with many of SYSTRA’s clients and project! High-speed rail systems contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and it rivals most transport modes by reducing carbon emissions. Rail ensures everywhere is accessible, supporting social mobility, with great views along the way.