We are thrilled to announce the welcome of two new team members at Hillside Environmental. As the business expands, we are joined by Charlie Davies and Murray Burton who are supporting us on some inspiring projects.
Charlie joins us as a Project Manager and Murray as a Project Design Manager. It’s a strong belief of ours that it's important to put a face to a name and get to know anyone you might be working with beyond professional email exchanges. So, we’ve asked both Charlie and Murray a few questions to help you get to know more about them and what they do behind the scenes for Hillside…
Charlie is a PRINCE2 Practitioner and has an extensive background in Customer Relationship Management.
But, you might know him better as a former Rugby player for Wasps, Newport Gwent Dragons, and Northampton Saints.
As he takes the next step in his impressive career, we are thrilled to be able to support him on the path to becoming an Environmental Project Manager.
Charlie will be ensuring Hillside projects run smoothly, creating a best-in-class client experience. We're really excited to see him make a difference in project planning and implementation.
Here, he explains more about his role at Hillside, his background, professional aims, and what he enjoys outside of work:
Tell us a bit about your background, how did you get to where you are now professionally? I am a former professional rugby player of 11 years, after which, I transitioned out of sports and retrained in project management. Following a period of studying, I was lucky enough to secure a contract working with Hillside. This then, thankfully, turned into a full-time role.
What made you want to work for Hillside?
I feel that the work Hillside is doing is very important, not just commercially, but for the greater good. It’s brilliant to be a part of a company that is making a difference.
What is your favourite part of your job? I love that I am constantly learning something every day through Russell’s training and experience. I also love that the company’s primary goal is to protect the planet.
Who has influenced you most when it comes to how you approach your work?
As I said, I’m learning a lot from Russ, but my father has always shown and taught me a good work ethic.
What’s a work-related accomplishment that you’re really proud of?
Gaining my practitioner qualifications in project management. It was a period of hard work but it has paid off now.
Do you have any aims or goals you'd like to achieve whilst working at Hillside?
At this point in time, just soak up as much information and experience as possible. In the future, I’d love to lead various projects for Hillside.
Can you give us a bit of an insight into your life outside of work? What are your interests?
I come from a sports background so I love keeping active and fit. I also worked in music previously, so DJing and producing music is a hobby that I enjoy when I want to escape from day-to-day life.
One thing you've learned in the past year: either professionally or personally! Make sure you enjoy the little things!
Whilst Charlie looks after project management, ensuring plans run to budget and deadline, Murray handles the technological aspects and supply chain development. His extensive career experience means he also supports Hillside with various business requirements such as engineering and design.
He has worked with businesses around the world, founded his own company, and worked with household names like WH Smith, Next, Dixons Carphone, and Mothercare. So we are really pleased to have him as an asset to the Hillside team.
Tell us a bit about your background, how did you get to where you are now professionally?
The majority of my career has been in the retail and commercial development sector. My background is in technical engineering, design development, and procurement. I have extensive knowledge of sourcing and supplying, having procured equipment from China and Europe for the last 25 years.
What made you want to work for Hillside?
Lockdown gave me a chance to sit and reassess my life and what I wanted to do with the rest of it. Russell was forging ahead with Hillside playing his part in combating climate change and, after conversations between us, it became clear to me that I wanted the same.
What is your favourite part of your job?
Making a difference! Every project Hillside completes reduces the environmental impact we have on this planet. The earth is our life raft, and we need to stop sticking holes in it.
Who has influenced you most when it comes to how you approach your work?
Russell is a big influence on my professional life (he’s my brother!) and over the years we have always bounced ideas and ways to do things better between us.
What’s a work-related accomplishment that you’re really proud of?
Running my own business for 15 years was a great experience. I created some long-term professional and personal relationships that are still with me to this day.
Do you have any aims or goals you'd like to achieve whilst working at Hillside?
My one big aim is to support Hillside’s vision to educate and enable the decarbonisation of the power and heating needs of organisations. It’s a clear, achievable goal that will make a huge impact on us all.
Can you give us a bit of an insight into your life outside of work? What are your interests?
Sailing is a big passion of mine and it’s great I can now look forward to getting out on the water!
One thing you've learned in the past year: either professionally or personally!
We have all been through an event these last 18months that will, hopefully, not be repeated in our lifetime! The key learnings from it for me have been patience and don’t overthink things. Pre-pandemic, I believe we all filled our heads with worry and concerns about things that may happen. Now I focus on what I can control and do something about.
We're really enjoying having Charlie and Murray as part of the team, it marks an exciting time for Hillside as we broaden our project portfolio and embark on some pioneering carbon zero journeys with UK-based organisations.
They're looking forward to getting to know more of our clients, associates, suppliers, and partners.