SHE’S the project manager behind Birmingham’s iconic Grand Central and world famous Primark shopping centre.
Now mum-of-two Paige Hooper is using her skills at Severn Trent, heading up a new £3million project near Pershore.
She is leading the huge investment scheme at Lower Moor sewage treatment works, to boost capacity and improve performance.
The project will see new holding tanks and other infrastructure introduced at the site which lies between Evesham and Pershore.
The works will ensure the rural treatment works can deal with rising demand from an increasing population.
Before joining Severn Trent 18 months ago Paige enjoyed a hugely successful career in project management, including installing the eye-catching roof of Grand Central.
She was also involved in project managing the city’s new flagship Primark, which was formerly the Pavilions shopping centre.
It is now the largest Primark in the world and has attracted millions of shoppers since opening in April 2019.
Paige, 31, said:
“They were both very prestigious projects to work on and I’m very proud to have been involved.
“I had always worked in project management in construction but joined Severn Trent in September 2022 and really enjoy it.
“The water industry was new to me at first but you learn all about it very quickly in this job.”
She added:
“At Lower Moor, my role is to liaise with contractors and bring everything together to ensure the project completes on time to the right quality and to budget and most importantly safely.
“We are just starting to mobilise onto site and the first spade should be in the ground within weeks.”
Paige’s father worked as a director in a construction firm and she eventually followed him into the previously-male dominated industry, later gaining a degree in project management.
She said:
“When I left school, I was not sure what I wanted to do, but I did not want to go to university at that time.
“My dad was always so busy so I thought I did not want to do what he was doing!
“But low and behold, here I am! I’m working on five live projects and have a team looking after 25 other projects.
Project managing means liaising with contractors and stakeholders, including MPs and councillors, as well helping to keep locals informed. Dealing with logistics to bring the right workers and materials onto site at the right time is also crucial.
Despite her demanding role Paige still plenty of quality time with children Harry, five and Ethan, two, with her husband of eight years Nathan, an electrical engineer.
Paige is sharing her story as Severn Trent shines a light on its people doing extraordinary things for customers across the region.
“Joining Severn Trent was the best career move I’ve made for me and my family. It’s the best team I’ve ever worked with. It is a job that ticks all the right boxes.
The Lower Moor scheme will include constructing a new inlet pumping station and new primary settlement tanks.
Works have now begun on site, with a completion date of April next year.
