Barbara Smitten

From a young age, my passion for mathematics, physics, and chemistry led me to pursue becoming a qualified laboratory technician at secondary school. Following this, I earned my master’s degree in environmental engineering with a focus on Heating, Ventilation, and Dust Removal Technologies from Silesian Polytechnic in Gliwice. I joined Cundall as a graduate engineer in August 2007, and I’ve progressed my career, achieving chartered engineer status with the support of my mentors and colleagues. In November 2023, I was honoured with the CIBSE West Midlands Region Engineer of the Year Award.

One of the most vital aspects of my work as an engineer is Collaboration. Successful project delivery hinges on effective teamwork, especially when leading diverse engineering disciplines for data centre projects. It’s fascinating to see how collective effort results in the creation of exceptional, sustainable, and functional buildings. We build connections our industry peers and reinforce the value of their respective disciplines.

As an engineer, I continuously learn and develop my skills and knowledge. At Cundall, our commitment is to make our projects exemplars of excellent engineering. This involves tailoring processes and strategies to suite the specific needs of each project and client. Within our data centre team, knowledge-sharing is prioritised through various platforms, and benefit from the cumulative years of experience within the business.