Imogen Large

Director, Sustainability, US

Helping our clients to navigate complexities like sustainability and digital is ingrained in the way we work and how we transform performance on major programmes.

As a Director in our sustainability business, I help organisations to achieve their net zero ambitions. My area of focus is leveraging our capabilities in major programmes and digital solutions to enable clients to unlock investment in net zero and deliver tangible progress towards their climate goals.

I joined our business as a graduate in the London office, starting as an Assistant Project Manager on major programmes like Crossrail and Heathrow Airport Expansion. Coming from a background in technology, I transitioned into the digital transformation team, where I worked with our software developers to build and launch our Hive platform: the central repository for all our project intelligence, experience, cost data and insights.

In 2021, I joined our sustainability business to develop and launch our net zero offering in the UK, before relocating to the US in 2023 to expand the growth of this service globally.

Career highlights

Relocated to the US and promoted to Director
2023
Launched our net zero offering in the UK
2021
Appointed as Chairperson of Chairman’s Group
2020
Started work on the digital transformation programme as a Product Owner
2018
Joined Turner & Townsend’s UK graduate programme
2016

Q. How has your career at Turner and Townsend developed?

A. Throughout my career, I have gained valuable experience across various areas of our business, whether it be different service lines, segments, clients or regions, and this has allowed me to explore different passions, develop new skills and work with diverse teams.

My time as part of the Chairman’s Group from 2019 to 2022 afforded me the opportunity to collaborate with some of our top global talent as we explored the big questions and trends that are shaping the future of our business. When I relocated from the UK to our New York business in 2023, I gained further experience of our global footprint firsthand, as I adapt to a new market and learn to leverage the strength of being one business.

Q. Which project are you most proud of being involved in at Turner & Townsend?

A. I am incredibly proud of our progress in the net zero space - each client we work with is at a different stage of their net-zero journey, each with their own needs and priorities. Every commission is a unique opportunity to solve challenges and build relationships.

For example, we have been working with a major banking client for over two years, supporting in the development and delivery of their net-zero programme, with our work varying from solar toolkits to design guidance to a much broader suite of retrofit interventions that will have an impact across their entire global portfolio

Q. What do you most enjoy most about working at Turner & Townsend?

A. Our business is ambitious. We are driven to keep transforming performance in our industry, so helping our clients to navigate complexities like sustainability and digital is ingrained in the way we work – I love working with likeminded people who are excited to get stuck in and collaborate as we take on these challenges.

Q. What is the emerging trend in your industry specialism and how are you responding to this?

A. There has been a noticeable shift in sentiment in the built environment, with more clients recognising the potential to achieve both carbon reduction and commercial benefits through sustainability. Embodied carbon has become the new currency of construction and a crucial factor in achieving sustainability goals.

With our embodied carbon calculator we can demonstrate to clients how making low-carbon choices upfront in a project can achieve significant carbon savings without sacrificing cost effectiveness on the overall scheme.