Charlotte Gilham is a prominent member of our Technical team who relishes a challenge both in and outside of work, whether that’s working to unlock complex sites for future development or tackling the UK’s three highest mountains.
Here, she takes us through a typical day:
What does a typical day look like for a Senior Technical Co-ordinator?
No two days are ever quite the same and that’s exactly what makes the role so engaging. It’s fast-paced, hands-on, and constantly evolving. One day, I might be reviewing potential new sites, assessing technical opportunities and constraints to help shape early feasibility discussions with our regional teams. The following day could be entirely different – out visiting a site or in working alongside our consultants to develop practical solutions to challenges on our projects. Collaboration is a huge part of the role. I regularly work with a wide range of consultants, overseeing everything from engineering and drainage, to transport and utilities. Our team plays a vital part in developing robust, technically sound, well-rounded applications and we also support our Planning and Land teams too over the lifecycle of a project from onboarding sites, all the way through to sale. A big part of the job also involves reviewing technical reports and providing technical support to our regional teams to ensure each planning submission is both technically viable for the developer and provides the best value for the landowner.
What do you enjoy most about being a Senior Technical Co-ordinator?
I like being involved in every step of a project’s life at Richborough. Starting with the initial assessment of a site, figuring out the constraints that might limit development and seeing what positive opportunities it has. Then we get to work tackling technical challenges (like infrastructure, access, planning issues) to make the most of what the site can offer and we remain hands-on through the planning process and eventual sale.
Every project offers a fresh challenge and a chance to learn something new. I also enjoy how collaborative the role is, working across multiple teams and disciplines means there’s always something new to take on. It’s incredibly rewarding to see how our shared efforts contribute to Richborough’s success.
What do you enjoy about working for Richborough?
The people and the purpose. It sounds cheesy but Richborough has created a culture that actively promotes collaboration, innovation, and trust. The company is ambitious but has remained grounded in its values, making coming to work genuinely enjoyable, whether it’s sharing ideas in the office, unlocking a technically challenging site or raising a glass to a win together!
What’s your proudest achievement at Richborough so far?
I’m particularly proud of my work on Leominster, a site in the Midlands. It’s a challenging project, with constraints around nutrient mitigation, site levels, and phasing strategies given the scale of the project. Throughout my involvement, I have been encouraged to work closely with our fantastic consultants and design team to develop a creative, technically sound scheme that we can all be proud of. As we gear up for outline planning submission, I’m excited to keep playing a key role in the next stages and ultimately seeing the site through to sale.
What advice would you give to someone aspiring to enter the field of land promotion?
Be curious. Coming from a house builder background, I was able to build relationships with our internal planning teams and get involved in land reviews, asking as many questions as possible to immerse myself in how technical can play a part in unlocking the value of a site. I also took the time to understand the nuances of local authority processes, reviewed past reserved matter applications, and built strong relationships both internally and externally with people who were happy to share advice and learnt experiences.
How do you unwind after a particularly challenging project or day?
I find balance by stepping away from the screens, whether it’s putting in my headphones and going on a run, picking up a good book, or catching up with friends and family.
Contact Charlotte: charlotte.gilham@richborough.co.uk