Nav Gahonia: Director of People and Clients
Nav Gahonia
PG Dipl Local Government Management, 2005; MSc Public Management, 2011
Based in: UK
First job:
Customer Service Assistant
Director of People and Clients at WSP UK
Describe your current role and what attracted you to it.
WSP is a global engineering professional services firm. WSP plans, designs, and manages long lasting engineering solutions. In the UK it has four main business units, Transport/Infrastructure, Property/Buildings, Water/Energy/Industry, and Planning and Advisory. I am Senior Director and leader, providing Highways and Transport services in the Local Government sector.
My focus in highways is always on the people who will be using what we leave behind. We’re at a landmark point where simply building new highways is no longer the dominant means to serve communities. My work allows me to have a positive impact on public spaces for a diverse range of clients.
I contribute to the Institute of Leadership's EDGE magazine to raise the profile of our industry and express my views on leadership. I am a qualified management coach and mentor, with a special interest in early career professionals to help the next generation of female and under-represented colleagues. I promote our industry in non-typical areas and am driven by idea of using highways as a tool to improve social mobility outcomes.
What’s your favourite part of the role?
At WSP, I founded the Wellbeing and Inclusion Group in my business unit and am the most senior member of the Racial Diversity group (CREED). I am proud to champion initiatives that make the industry more inclusive. I actively drive initiatives to provide opportunities for under-represented groups, such as supported learners, people from minority ethnic backgrounds, and women.
What are the key skills you learnt at Warwick that have helped you with your career to date?
I learned the fundamentals of public sector management. Modules in finance, performance, policy setting, strategy, and change were invaluable foundations for my success at work.
Did you have a specific career path in mind when you chose to study at Warwick?
I wanted to stay closely aligned with the public sector and the MSc in Public Management was the ideal course for me.
What top tips do you have for Warwick graduates who would like to work in your sector?
To be curious and get as much experience shadowing leaders in the business.
What’s the strangest interview question you’ve ever been asked?
If I was a biscuit, what biscuit would I be, and why?
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given in relation to your career?
To get the basics right, treat people with respect, and try and find alignment with your values and your role.
What should current students or recent alumni be doing to move their careers forward?
Keep as up to date as possible – keep a continuing professional development log, work with coaches and mentors, volunteer outside of work to keep your interests broad, seek support from managers, but above all remain enthusiastic and have a clear sense of purpose.
What do you know now that you wish you had known when you were applying for jobs?
Ask for support from the experts in your network to help learn more about the area you are interested in. Try and grow your experiences through voluntary work, if possible, to help get your foot in the door.