MPG staff spotlight: Jessica Morgan-Smith
Here at MPG, we’ve been taking great pride in the work we do within the waste, minerals, environmental, and town planning sectors for over 25 years.
And it’s thanks to our talented team of experts that it’s all possible – no matter how complex the project!
In a bid to get to know the people behind the brand, we’ve launched our employee Q&A series – so you can find out more about the MPG family.
Last month, it was our director, Chris Heffernan, and next up in the hot seat in July, it’s our principal consultant, Jessica Morgan-Smith.
1) Summarise your role at MPG in one paragraph:
I head up MPG’s waste and resources team and specialise in all-things planning, permitting, and compliance for both the waste and mineral industries. I’m often found liaising with clients and coordinating planning and permitting applications as well as helping operators deal with compliance issues.
2) What’s your favourite part of the job?
I’ve always enjoyed compliance support. Companies approach us with an on-site issue or, as is usually the case, when they are already in a tricky situation with the regulators, and we go about solving it for them. It’s a balance of finding a commercially viable solution and ensuring the client resolves the issue at the earliest opportunity, whilst minimising the potential risks of harm to people and the environment.
3) How would you describe MPG’s company ethos in three words?
Straightforward, honest, and fair.
4) Tell us about one of your favourite projects:
It has to be working on a recovery site where some rare orchids were discovered and had to be translocated. The site was part of a golf course complex and was so well restored, with a beautiful wetland area where the orchids thrived. It was great to see a project through from beginning to end.
5) Who or what sparked your desire to work in the sector?
My academic background is in geology, so I was always the kid with pockets full of pebbles at the beach and piles of rocks everywhere! I realised I wanted to be involved in the minerals sector when I joined MPG as a graduate and couldn’t believe my luck! I had no idea a mineral consultancy sector existed.
I had an opportunity to work in industry for a client – a large waste company in Yorkshire – and snapped their hand off. That’s when I realised there was something about the waste sector that also really interested me. I enjoy business and commercial operations but have a passion for the environment, so it ideally combines the two. I’ve also been very lucky to work alongside some amazing mentors and colleagues over the years, who have been a real inspiration.
6) How would your colleagues sum you up in one word?
Resourceful.
7) What does it take to be a great environmental consultancy partner?
Being versatile and listening to your clients. Having the ability to genuinely engage with a client and assess what they need, the resources they have available to achieve it, and to make it happen while protecting the environment and satisfying the regulators. It’s no easy task but MPG just so happen to be very good at it.
8) What is one of the biggest challenges facing the waste sector over the next 12 months?
The ongoing battle to prevent waste crime, increase recycling, and reduce waste-to-landfill. The current target is no more than 10% of municipal waste to be sent to landfill by 2035.
9) You receive an email from your dream client… who would it be and why?
The Environment Agency asking for our help to improve communication between them and the waste and resource industry.
10) What are your hopes for MPG over the coming year?
That the company continues to attract interesting clients and projects, and our long success of gaining planning permissions and environmental permits continues. I’m excited about the future of the business on a strategic level and what’s yet to come!
If you’d like to get in touch with our friendly team of professionals, give us a call on 01274 884 599, drop us an email at headoffice@mpgyorks.co.uk, or connect with us on Twitter and LinkedIn.