This month, it’s the turn of Director, Emily Grant’s 10-year anniversary at Environet. She achieved this accolade back in January with fellow Director Luke – so now it’s her turn to reflect on the last decade at Environet.

What first brought you to the company, and did you ever imagine you’d still be here 10 years later? 

I joined Environet back in Jan 2015, having been made redundant from my previous role in the asbestos industry. I was looking for something that made use of the many transferrable skills I’d picked up, whilst ensuring that I continued to use my expertise as an Environmental Consultant. I had a 12 month old baby at the time – so to add to the list – I also needed an understanding employer that would appreciate that work:life balance was important. The role popped up on a job search and couldn’t have been more fitting. There are so many parallels between the asbestos and knotweed remediation worlds – both in terms of what is required for the remedial work – but also the client base. So, that’s how the journey began! I had no idea I would still be here 10 years later. I had chased progression through various companies, moving every couple of years before joining Environet – but I’ve happily continued to progress in-house, with every passing year bringing a new project or set of challenges to keep me engaged.

Can you tell us about a standout moment or achievement from your time here that still makes you smile? 

Undoubtedly, it was winning the PCA Student of the Year award in 2019. The entire thing had been kept a secret, and my fellow Directors had lured me to the awards ceremony under false pretences as a networking opportunity. I couldn’t work out why they were taking so much interest in what I was planning to wear…. my face must have been an absolute picture when my name was announced – they were so sneaky! Needless to say we laughed, a lot! But on a more serious note, it was great to be recognised for my knowledge and skill as a Japanese knotweed Surveyor – and I was also the first woman to win the award – a proud moment for me personally, and for Environet!

How has your role – and perhaps your desk setup – evolved over the last decade?

Both have changed beyond all recognition! I started out as a Regional Manager, covering the SW – which meant I spent a lot of time on the road travelling to surveys or undertaking treatment or removal work on site. Back then however, the region was quite quiet in winter, which gave me the opportunity to learn and help out with other parts of the business like the H&S, Marketing and even the HR functions. This exposure to different parts of the business really set me on the road to my current position of Director of Operations – or chief plate spinner as I like to think of it. As for my desk – it’s much messier now – probably because I’m sat at it most days!!

What’s something you know now that you wish you’d known on your very first day? 

Patience is a virtue! For anyone that knows me, I’m not one to stand still – and while that energy can be a blessing, it’s also taught me that not everything needs an immediate reaction. Over time, I’ve learned the value of taking a step back, letting things settle, and looking at the bigger picture before jumping in. It’s made a real difference in how I approach challenges and decisions.

What’s been the most rewarding part of your journey with the company so far? 

I think getting to a point in my career where I’m recognised as an expert has definitely been the most rewarding part of my journey with the company so far. Over the last 10 years, I’ve put in a huge amount of time and effort into building my knowledge and developing real expertise in the field of invasives. It’s a complex and constantly evolving area, so staying on top of the science and best practices takes genuine commitment.

What makes it especially meaningful is being able to apply that knowledge in a way that has real-world impact. Whether it’s contributing to important projects, advising others, or helping shape strategy, it’s incredibly fulfilling to know that the work I’ve put in is making a difference.

Seeing my name in print, or appearing on BBC News to talk about the subject – it’s those moments that really bring it home. They’re like markers along the way that show the hard work is paying off, and they give me a sense of pride and motivation to keep pushing forward.

What do you enjoy most about working with our customers, and how has that shaped your approach to the job? 

We have two broad groups of customers – our residential ones, who tend to be one-offs (once bitten, twice shy when it comes to knotweed!) and our commercial ones – who are a mixture of property professionals and homebuilders. But I think that for both groups – what it boils down to for me is – I really enjoy being helpful. My role, more often than not – is that of a problem solver. There is nothing that brings me greater satisfaction than a job well done. Whether it’s being able to reassure a homeowner that they will still be able to sell their property, or delivering a training session for a hundred surveyors, arming them with crucial knowledge to support their roles – it’s a fantastic feeling. Staying grounded in our customer’s “why” has enabled me to gain an extra sense of satisfaction in my work.    

What’s the most unexpected skill or bit of knowledge you’ve picked up during your time here?

While I fully anticipated becoming an expert in invasive plants, I think that my journey at Environet has given me a whole set of skills that I really never anticipated – and those are the ones that come with leadership. Becoming a proficient leader has really been the biggest challenge, especially as I still work remotely from the vast majority of our team – but it’s also been the most rewarding.

You’ve seen a lot of change – what’s stayed the same in the best possible way? 

Two things I’m really glad we’ve held on to – firstly – the family feel of the business. Regardless of the changes we’ve made to structure, service offerings and operations over the years – we have always held on tight to the culture. People wanting to come to work, looking out for one another and all having the best interests of the success of the business at heart is not something that you find often now. It’s something that we are really proud of.

Secondly, my wonderful colleagues, and now co-directors Mat and Luke. Mat joined the business a year before I started, and Luke and I joined together and have grown in the business together ever since. The three of us make a fierce team – and it gives me such great pleasure to work with them on a daily basis.

What advice would you give someone just starting out in their role here today? 

I have the pleasure of working with a lot of our new recruits – and I tell them all the same thing. Your working life is what you make it – there are no limits to what you can achieve, other than what you are willing to put in. My journey at Environet is a great example of what can be achieved by actively contributing and always looking for a better way of doing things. We are in a fantastic position as an employee-owned business in that all of our Partners have a voice – if you use it to good effect, the sky is the limit!

Finally, if we were naming a meeting room in your honour, what would it be called – and would it come with biscuits? 

Biscuits are an absolute prerequisite to a productive meeting – but I would make sure that there was an ample supply of fresh fruit too – it’s all about the balance!  

I’m not very good at naming things – isn’t that what ChatGPT is for?!