Eva Neale

Name and role

Eva Neale, Chartered Town Planner and Associate Director. I’m part of the management team for our Town Planning service.

When did you join Waterman Aspen?

November 2022.

What does a typical day look like in your role or secondment?

Recently, I was on secondment at Stratford-on-Avon District Council, where I was brought in to help address a backlog of planning consultation responses, review planning applications against Local Plan policies and prepare responses for planners.

I’m now starting a new secondment in a policy-focused role, so my day-to-day will change again. That variety is a big part of what I enjoy about working at Waterman Aspen. Every role brings new opportunities to use my experience in different ways and support clients where they need it most.

How does leadership form part of your role at Waterman Aspen?

Leadership is an important part of my role. As part of the management team, I help support both our clients and our colleagues. I’m passionate about creating opportunities for colleagues to grow in their careers.

For me, good leadership is about being approachable, recognising potential and helping people progress.

What’s the best thing about working for Waterman Aspen?

The best thing for me is the opportunity to make a real difference. You can step into a team, quickly understand what’s needed and provide support where it has the most impact.

I also really value the flexibility of the role. No two secondments are the same, which keeps the work interesting and means you are always learning.

What would you say to someone interested in a career in your role?

Planning can take you in lots of different directions, and one of the strengths of this kind of role is being able to adapt, build relationships quickly and apply your experience in different environments. If you enjoy problem-solving, working with a wide range of people and getting stuck into real-world projects, it can be a really rewarding career.