Selma Hooley

I've been part of Halcrow's planning and design work since 1994. A steady stream of projects in places like the United Arab Emirates, Trinidad, Mauritius and China has given me ample opportunity to experience different cultures.

I was especially proud to work on Dubai's Internet City, the world's first e-commerce development. We designed the master plan in 2000 and cranes started shooting up in 2001 - at typical Dubai pace! I get a massive buzz from seeing our designs transformed into buildings on the ground.

We aim to give every project a unique identity and encourage ownership by all those involved, from the financial backers to the people who will live there. Contributing to the happiness and wellbeing of future communities is hugely fulfilling, and I feel that my work is changing people's lives for the better.

I'm lucky enough to be part of a supportive team and have successfully juggled my career with starting a family. Flexible working enables me to manage a challenging project load while still spending quality time with my children.

And when I'm not working, I love spending time outdoors, whether it's biking, walking or boating. The intersection between nature and the built environment fascinates me, and there's no better way of experiencing it than getting out there!