Getting to know Eleanor Hawkins, Project Coordinator and Reporting Lead

Meet the people behind our success as we unveil the stories, passions, and expertise of our dedicated team. Discover how their experience enables us to become a trusted environmental services partner for clients across the UK. This time, let's get to know Eleanor Hawkins, Project Coordinator and Reporting Lead.

What was your background before joining Aqua Consultants?

I graduated from university with a BSc in archaeology, and that’s what I did for the first 8 years of my career. That was patched in between administration work as and when there wasn’t any archaeology work available. In 2020, this became unfeasible. So, even though it was a very exciting job and one I really loved, I needed to look for a new direction.

I did some general administration work for a bit, then I found my way into the fibre broadband sector where I started off as an administrator and quickly worked my way up to project management, which I did for two and a half years before being made redundant.

Looking for a new challenge, with the intention of heading back into project management, I started at Aqua Consultants in my current role as reporting lead and project coordinator – but with a view to expand back into project management.

I've been here since the middle of June and work in Karl Godfrey's team. Karl is Director of Delivery & Performance and is starting to edge me back towards project management and expand my horizons, so it's an exciting time for me.

Can you tell us more about your role at Aqua Consultants?

As reporting lead and project coordinator, I work in delivery and performance compiling all the reports and timesheets and handling other project-related works, such as setting up projects and administrating workbook.

Lately I have been starting to manage some of the lighter touch secondment projects, so I'll be more in touch with looking after those people and making sure they are happy in their secondments. Plenty of variation for me!

What excites you about coming to work?

I like to do new things, so even though I'm happy about the regular work I do and it interests me, I love the challenge when something new comes up or something different becomes part of my role. I like to be doing a million things at 100 miles an hour!

What do you like to do outside of work?

Well, some would say I’m obsessed with fibre arts. I learned to crochet in my early 20s and knit when I was in my mid-20s, and I’ve been doing both since then - I'm now really experienced in those skills. A few years ago, I taught myself to spin on a spinning wheel. I’ve got to the point now where the whole process interests me; everything from preparing the fleece, hand dyeing it, then spinning it into yarn and knitting into finished garments. I’m always knitting half a dozen items of clothing!

What are you looking forward to over the next 12 months?

Professionally, I have been chatting to my manager about doing more project management qualifications and pushing myself further down that path. It's full of excitement for me – working with different clients and helping people fulfil their best expectations for their contracts. I’ve done my PRINCE2, but I’m looking at more practical courses.

And personally, I’m very excited because we are going to Malta next year, taking the kids abroad and introducing them to more of the world. It’s in Easter, so not too long to wait!