Faces of WP3: Sam Riddell-Webster

In our Faces of WP3 series, we sit down with members of the team to explore what drives them, their industry insights, and life behind the scenes. Next up, we’re introducing our Senior Engineer and Energy Specialist, Sam Riddell-Webster.

– Tell us a bit about your career path. What led you to this role?

I studied Mechanical Engineering at university in Bath. After finishing my degree, I wasn’t entirely sure what I wanted to do next, but I knew I was keen to live and work in London.

Looking at the opportunities available, it quickly became clear that construction was where many of the engineering roles were, so I joined WP3 straight out of university as a Mechanical Engineer.

I’ve always had a strong interest in sustainability and, as a result, energy efficiency. When the opportunity arose to move further in that direction at WP3, I was keen to give it a go – and it’s become an area I’ve really enjoyed developing my career in.

– Can you tell us more about your role and what it entails?

I’m a Senior Engineer within WP3’s Energy and Sustainability team, with much of my role currently focused on developing our team’s offering as we continue to grow.

That covers a wide range of energy and sustainability-related work, from providing compliance advice through to helping our clients deliver innovative, energy-efficient building designs.

It’s a varied role, which means getting involved at different stages of a project and helping clients turn sustainability ambitions into practical solutions.

– What are some of the biggest challenges the industry is facing right now?

From an energy perspective, one of the biggest challenges is closing the gap between design intent and how buildings actually perform once they’re operational.

Good intentions at the design stage can sometimes get lost as a project progresses. WP3’s approach is to help bridge that gap by seeing the process all the way through – from early-stage efficient design and MEP development through to commissioning, all delivered in-house.

That continuity gives us the opportunity to keep energy performance front of mind throughout the entire project lifecycle.

– What do you do to relax outside of work?

In the summer, you’ll normally find me playing golf or cricket. In the winter, it’s more likely to be watching the rugby in the pub!