By Business & Finance 
Pictured: Michael McMullan, Sector Director of Ireland at APEM Group
Michael McMullan is Sector Director of Ireland at APEM Group, a global environment consultancy built on scientific expertise and data that provides expert advice and best practices to a wide range of industries, including renewables, water, infrastructure, marine, and port.
What was your first job
My first job was in the 1990s was working on the design and impact assessment for the Channel Tunnel Rail Link (High Speed One) between London and the Channel Tunnel. As first roles go, it was a fantastic opportunity to work client side as part of a multidisciplinary team, including some fabulous environmental planning specialists who I have continued to work with on subsequent projects. It was a great foundation for my later career on complex infrastructure and development projects across a range of sectors such as renewable energy and transport infrastructure.
What pushed you to pursue a career in this field?
At school I was fortunate to read a book by Jeremy Purseglove, a landscape architect and ecologist, called Taming the Flood which advocated working with nature rather than attempting to repress and control it. I found the book very enlightening, especially the examination of the complex relationships between human beings and our natural surroundings. After reading Jeremy’s book I reflected on if and how I could pursue an environmental career. I undertook a degree in Planning, specialising in environmental planning and sustainability. Years later, in a full circle moment, I worked with Jeremy in a multi-disciplinary consultancy, on a number of infrastructure projects, including the environmental impact assessment for the A3 Hindhead road tunnel in the south of England. I professionally learnt a lot from working with Jeremy and had a lot of fun at the same time.
What would you regard as your greatest achievement to date?
In my career so far, I have worked on some quite complex infrastructure and development projects, such as in the rail, road/active travel, aviation, renewable energy sectors. But what I personally get the most enjoyment out of is helping others progress in their professional careers through the consultancy roles I undertake. I have had the opportunity to work as a visiting lecturer at universities, lead the development of professional skills networks for a global consultancy practice and coach and mentor early careers and mid-career professionals. Observing others develop their skills, knowledge and professional experience and progress well beyond what I have achieved gives me great fulfilment.
My new role, as Sector Director for APEM Group in Ireland allows me to have the best of both. Collaborating with our Irish businesses, Woodrow, AQUAFACT and Macro Works to provide expert advice across industry, and also collaborating closely with Irish and UK universities and research organisations, building relationships to help support the future of the environmental and sustainability industry.
Career-wise, would you do anything differently?
I am happy with the choices I have made and reflecting upon it I would do the same again. My passion for protecting the environment and sustainability has not changed, and I enjoy working on challenging projects with interesting clients and specialists’ technical teams. I am an advocate for lifelong learning and have recently started studying part time for a masters in Sustainable Mountain Development from the University of Highlands and Islands. I am looking forward to applying my new knowledge and seeing where it takes me.
In one sentence, how would you define success?
My personal interpretation of success is being able to do your best every day, learn from your mistakes, focus on the happiness of others and giving yourself time to relax and be mindful.
What’s the best piece of advice you have ever been given?
I was given the advice early in my professional career to get a variety of experiences and I have applied it by working client-side on major infrastructure projects: for a research organisation, for a local planning authority and for a variety of consultancy practices in Ireland, the UK and internationally. The variety of organisations and countries I have worked in has enabled me to see things through the lens of multiple stakeholders which has been invaluable in decision-making and coming up with solutions in my professional career.
How do you handle adversity?
Adversity can take many forms, but in my view, working through it teaches us about ourselves, how to deal with discomfort, and build resilience for the future – something we can listen to both personally, and within the world of environmental work. I deal with it by staying disciplined and focused on what I or others in the team have control over, to help get results and move past the adversity. On a personal level making time for exercise, mindfulness, and time in nature helps me to remain positive and celebrate the successes regardless of their size.
How do you motivate yourself and your staff?
My natural leadership style is to be purpose-driven, principles led and performance-orientated. I use empathy and a coaching and mentoring approach to develop people for the future and to help staff improve performance and develop long-term strengths. Supporting my team helps me to motivate myself. I firmly believe that my career, particularly in the early years, was driven by the advice and mentorship of those around me; providing that same support to others is one of the most rewarding aspects of my job.
How do you relax?
Spending time in nature, especially hiking with my wife and our border collie makes me very happy and rejuvenated. We have been really lucky to have completed some fantastic longer-distance walks such as the Wicklow Way, West Highland Way, Tour du Mont Blanc, and Tour of the Jungfrau and I am looking forward to doing many more in the future.
What are your aspirations for the future of the business?
I’m delighted to have joined such a forward-thinking and people-focused environmental consultancy in recent months. I am looking forward to leading the growth of APEM Group Ireland, driving strategy and performance, and working closely with the leaders of the group’s Ireland based businesses including AQUAFACT, Macro Works and Woodrow. The scale and growth that APEM Group has experienced over the past few years has been phenomenal, and what’s really impressive is how that growth has been built on deep scientific expertise combined with innovation in the use of data. It’s a great platform to build from and I’m excited to be able to work with the breadth and depth of the Group and with others in the team bring that to our public and private sector clients in Ireland including in the marine, renewables and infrastructure sectors.
