Get To Know Phoebe Knight! 💬

We’re thrilled to bring you the next instalment of our ‘Get to Know’ interview series – a chance to spotlight the remarkable individuals who make Bloom thrive.

In celebration of Women in Construction Week, we’re shining a spotlight on one of the amazing women at Bloom, who is helping drive female impact in our industry. As a female co-owned company, we are committed to supporting growth, development, and empowerment for all women within our business.

This week, we meet Phoebe Knight, our talented Assistant Project Manager. Having been with Bloom from the early days of the business, she has played a key role in the company’s growth and success.

Phoebe shares her experiences, insights, and the passion that drives her work in the property construction industry…

Can you walk us through your professional journey in the property and construction sector, and what led you to pursue a career in project management?

“I began with a History degree at the University of Warwick. I had always been interested in historical buildings and construction, but it wasn’t until lockdown, when I became slightly addicted to Grand Designs, that I seriously considered a career in the built environment.

After researching different paths, I enrolled on a Building Surveying MSc at London South Bank University. Upon graduating, I started my career as a Graduate Building Surveyor at Savills, where I gained excellent foundational knowledge from some very experienced and highly respected surveyors.

After a period of travelling, I realised I was most drawn to the project side of the industry: the coordination, oversight and constant learning that comes from working with a wide range of specialists. Joining Bloom has given me the opportunity to develop that interest further across a great variety of projects, and it’s a move I haven’t looked back on since.”

How has your academic background (BA Hons and MSc) supported your development as an Assistant Project Manager in practice?

“My MSc in Building Surveying provided a broad technical foundation within an intensive year of study and required a great deal of independent learning. That experience closely mirrors the reality of the industry, where there is always something new to learn, and you quickly become comfortable tackling unfamiliar challenges.

My History degree has also been highly relevant. It strengthened my analytical thinking and reinforced the importance of research, attention to detail and clear communication. Project management often involves bringing together information from a wide range of sources, so those skills have proved invaluable in practice.”

What does your role as an Assistant Project Manager involve on a day-to-day basis, and how do you support the successful delivery of projects?

“At Bloom, no two days are the same, which is one of the things I enjoy most about the role. One day I might be on site attending progress meetings; another, analysing cost information or reviewing technical documentation; and the next, producing project assessment reports.

A large part of my role involves coordinating information between different stakeholders and helping to keep projects organised and progressing smoothly. It’s a great mix of responsibilities and certainly keeps me busy.”

From your experience so far, what are the most important skills for an Assistant Project Manager to develop early in their career?

“From my experience so far, I would say that listening is probably the most important skill for an Assistant Project Manager to develop early in their career. You receive information from many different sources every day, so being able to absorb, understand and adapt that information is essential. You quickly learn to become a bit of a “project sponge.”

Strong organisational and communication skills are equally important, along with the confidence to ask questions. Early in your career, you’re not expected to know everything, but curiosity and a willingness to learn make a real difference.”

Have you been involved in a project that you are particularly proud of? What was your role, and what did you learn from it?

“The projects I’m most proud of are often the more challenging ones. At Bloom, I’ve supported projects focused on initial assessments and subsequent completion management, helping to review situations and support teams in getting projects back on track.

Those experiences have reinforced the importance of clear communication, collaboration and maintaining momentum during complex stages of delivery. Seeing projects move forward positively after overcoming challenges has been particularly rewarding and confidence-building.”

What are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced in your role, and how have they helped shape your professional growth?

“Early in my career, I sometimes found it daunting being one of the only women in certain project environments. Over time, however, I’ve learned that showing genuine interest, asking questions and getting actively involved helps to build strong relationships and integrate fully into the team.

Having strong female role models in the industry has also been incredibly motivating. I’ve been very fortunate to work alongside some inspiring and knowledgeable women, including Bloom’s own Charlotte, whose experience and leadership continue to support and encourage my professional development.”

What advice would you give to someone considering a career as an Assistant Project Manager in the construction industry?

“Be prepared to learn every day and embrace the variety the industry offers. Stay curious, ask questions and take the time to understand how each discipline contributes to a project.

Construction is ultimately a people-focused industry, so building strong relationships and communicating effectively are just as important as technical knowledge. Career paths are rarely linear, and that breadth of experience often becomes a real strength.”

Are there any personal or professional goals you’re looking to focus on or develop further this year?

“Professionally, I’m currently working towards the APM Project Management Qualification, with the aim of achieving MAPM status, and I hope to begin working towards MCIOB in the future.

Outside of work, I like to keep active and can rarely sit still for long. I’m currently training for the London Marathon in April (which I seem to talk about endlessly!), as well as playing netball and attempting to improve my squash skills, although that has come with varying degrees of success!”