Celebrating our colleagues
Hemali Topiwala
Shine the light: Hemali Topiwala
Following on from the success of our Shine the Light campaign as part of Black History Month, we are keen to publish more career stories from our Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic colleagues who are also graded 14 and above. The articles are published to promote our colleagues, celebrate their careers as well as their contribution to Southwark council.
Position: Regeneration Programme Manager
Team: Regeneration Capital
Division and department: Regeneration, Chief Executive’s Department
Length of service: 12.5 years
I joined Southwark straight after university, I was looking for something to fill my time whilst I looked for a Graduate job. I started through an agency as a Technical Administrator working for the Tree Section in Parks and Open Spaces, where my role was to assist the team in responding to customer enquiries. I didn’t know then that I would still be here 13 years later! I spent 10 years with the parks team and progressed through 5 different roles with the last as a Project Manager which I secured through a Secondment. This position gave me the experience I needed to move to where I am today. I joined the Regeneration team 3 years ago as a Project Manager and soon after progressed to Programme Manager, where I am now responsible for a portfolio of projects including building New Council homes. A proud moment for me was very recently when I was a panellist for a webinar representing Southwark.
The only challenges or barriers I have felt is my technical experience which has on occasion stopped me from progressing, but I have been fortunate enough to be able to secure secondment positions, which have given me the experience I need to develop into a permanent position. I have also been fortunate to always have line managers who support me and encourage me to progress through my career.
I am keen to continue progressing and developing my career in Southwark. I am still early in my career with Regeneration, I want to see the schemes we have in progress through to completion, so I can see the residents of Southwark benefit from our much needed new council homes.
Page last updated: 20 August 2021
