From Ecologist to Business Development Director: Eleanor Hayter talks us through what it means to spend a decade in the Land & Nature business and how it supports big life changes.
It’s hard to believe it has been a decade since I first started at Cura Terrae. I’ve watched this company completely evolve from Ecus into the group we know today, navigating the merging of Ecus, EMS, Envirocare and Enviro Technology into Cura Terrae in 2022 More recently our Land & Nature services have been strengthened by the acquisition of EnviroCentre, which operates across Scotland.
How would you sum up your 10 years at Cura Terrae?
Over my time here, I’ve navigated several company transitions and acquisitions, working with a vast array of clients. However, regardless of the branding on the outside, the drive and commitment of the business have stayed the same. The Land & Nature team is truly made up of people who are passionate about their work. On a personal level, this environment has allowed me to form deep bonds; I’ve become incredibly close with several coworkers who are now brilliant friends outside of work. I have also been fortunate to work under some exceptional managers throughout my journey, and I still keep in regular contact with many former colleagues.
A standout highlight of my time has been the Reading University graduate programme run from our Basingstoke office, a programme that still works incredibly well. I have thoroughly enjoyed going into Reading to deliver lectures for the master’s course, interviewing students, and ultimately working alongside some of the brightest graduates, many of whom I’ve been lucky enough to mentor. We have been fortunate to retain so many of our students, and it brings me immense job satisfaction to watch my peers’ and mentees’ careers grow, even if they eventually move on to new roles outside the company.
How has your career grown over the time?
Throughout these ten years, my career has also developed in ways I couldn’t have imagined when I first joined as an Ecologist. The first few years was a steep learning curve, as we had just opened our Basingstoke office and were originally a team of two plus an intern. I had come from a large Tier 1 company and going to being answerable to director was a big jump. But as we grew the office, and hired fantastic new graduates and then ecologists, the office expanded from a tiny room to a two-floor office block. I was incredibly proud the day we moved to our new office, it felt like a big achievement, and I remember welling up to my manager!
In my career at the company, I have worked my way from a Consultant Ecologist to Senior, Principal, Associate Director, and eventually to Business Development Director which is testament to the culture of growth.
From early on in my career, I’ve always homed in on the business elements of ecology. Whilst I enjoyed the surveys, the main part of the job I liked was client problem solving and working with local authorities and statutory agencies to help projects move forward. One memorable project was a secondment into Network Rail to undertake a Habitat Regulation Assessment (HRA). It was a small land take but in a highly protected site, so the HRA was extremely complex. The project ended up needing Secretary of State approval and was eventually passed after a year. Whilst challenging, I learnt so much from the project and gained several long-term clients.
I’ve been incredibly fortunate to have amazing mentors along the way who gave me the space and backing to carve out my own path. Because of their guidance, I’ve always stayed deeply committed to our collective success.
What has been your favourite project to work on?
Looking back at the work itself, my absolute favourite project must be my time spent on East West Rail (EWR). This is the rail link from Oxford to Cambridge. I was one of the main site project managers which gave me all round experience to surveys, managing contracts and large teams who were collaborating across multiple regions. I then successfully transitioned into the tendering team during the project while securing a professional mentorship.
I have also enjoyed our outreach programme where I often go into primary schools to give lessons to children about wildlife. I have been lucky to also do this in my own child’s class which was a lovely experience to share with him.
How has Cura Terrae supported family life?
On a personal level, the company has been the backdrop to the most important milestones of my life. I’ve got married and had my children, all while navigating my career. Having two young children and juggling part-time working in a demanding job can be challenging. It often needs forward planning to run smoothly, but one of the things I am most grateful for is the genuine flexibility here. I was able to transition from full-time to part-time hours when returning from maternity leave without stalling my progression.
Taking on a Director role while balancing family life has been a massive personal win. Being able to walk my children to school in the morning and lead a high-level strategic meeting later that day gives me a level of fulfilment I don’t take for granted.
It has been a decade of immense growth; I couldn’t have predicted where I’d now be in the field and at home. I’m incredibly thankful and proud of these past ten years and excited for where this journey takes me next.
To find out more about Careers at Cura Terrae see our website.
