Elise Holmes is a Bid Manager, supporting the Middle East business in winning work, with particular focus on the Power & Water Market. She is also the Abu Dhabi ambassador for our Women in Professional Services group, where she is responsible for promoting initiatives, encouraging participation and facilitating events.

Originally from the UK, Elise has developed a keen interest in the physical environment. She studied Geology & Geography and started her career as a Contaminated Land Scientist before moving to the Middle East to manage transport & infrastructure projects before turning her hand to business development. “My experience in engineering has been very broad and I have developed diverse knowledge and skills. I was offered great opportunities and by embracing these changes and challenges, I have grown my career and feel that I have made a difference.”

Elise feels accomplished when she sees people benefitting from the communities that WSP has created as a result of the projects we’ve worked on. She shared, “I worked night shifts supervising structural investigations on Birmingham New Street Railway Station. The project team overcame the huge challenge of undertaking the works whilst maintaining full operation of the rail services. The regeneration of that transport hub has transformed the middle of Birmingham City Centre and countless friends and family tell me how much they enjoy it now.” As a Project Manager working on the High Speed 2 Rail Project, of national significance in the UK, Elise led a team developing and utilising innovative data collection methods and health and safety procedures. Now in the Middle East, she enjoys the process of considering clients’ needs for the iconic projects the region is famed for and proposing unique solutions for our clients, whether that be sustainability initiatives, recommending new technologies or upskilling local graduates to create bespoke to add fresh, future ready ideas.       

Elise uses her personal interests in psychology, mindfulness and holistic well-being to challenge the status quo with WSP.  “I am studying life coaching in my spare time. I have personally recognised the benefits of defining my goals and values and aligning my actions with these, and am passionate about supporting others to do the same. My goal is to support people who want to feel purposeful, positive, goal-orientated, content, healthy and happy.”