Penny is a Director in Arup’s buildings group. He is responsible for the team’s operations, helping to identify opportunities for new business and is also the office leader within our Shanghai office. Penny started work as a graduate in 2001.
2001 Joined Arup
3 Offices worked in across Asia
I joined Arup in 2001 as a graduate structural engineer based in Hong Kong where Arup had a lot of projects. The tallest building in Hong Kong at the time – IFC2 – really fascinated me and I asked my professor who built it. I discovered that it was designed by Arup and that my professor was what I would discover is referred to as an ‘ex Arupian’ and had worked on the project. This really inspired me and I knew that Arup was the only firm that I wanted to join once I graduated.
I worked out of our Hong Kong office for five years, and then in 2006 I was given the opportunity to move to Shanghai. In China, there are so many world-class projects and Arup is always involved with the best and most exciting of these. Shanghai was completely different for me. It meant lots more travel and working on more high-profile projects.
“For me, I am proud to be an Arupian and I want to share that with future generations of people who join us. I believe Arup is unique – the quality of our work really is important, and it is not simply about chasing profits. ”
In 2013, I was given another big opportunity - I became project manager for one of Arup’s landmark projects, Raffles City in Chongqing. This required me to mobilise resources from across Arup, with colleagues from Hong Kong, Shanghai and Boston. We now have an office of over 40 people in Chongqing. This project ultimately saw me become an office leader which means I'm responsible for the work and wellbeing of everyone in that office.
My career at Arup has been constant change and that’s been exciting. I’ve been able to work on big and small projects and see the influence I’ve had. When I return to the Chongqing office now I'm so proud, as it I have seen it grow and grow and become a truly sustainable Arup office.
Arup allows its staff a great deal of freedom and to work on projects that they have a genuine interest in. I know from experience that we have a very open environment and can choose our own career paths, as well as having the opportunity to move around locally and internationally.
For me, I am proud to be an Arupian and I want to share that with future generations of people who join us. I believe Arup is unique – the quality of our work really is important, and it is not simply about chasing profits.
Penny was involved in
