INTERVIEW: Alicia Bush, Greenway Associates
Meet Alicia Bush, a creative, detail-driven Project Manager working across a diverse range of projects.
Alicia Bushn, New Project Manager at Greenway Associates.
GA: Alicia, we warmly welcome you to GA! What drew you to Greenway Associates, and what made you feel it was the right next step for you?
Alicia: I love commuting into London, and the opportunity to work in cultural environments such as the V&A and the Barbican was an incredibly exciting prospect for me.
GA: You’re currently working on some of the exhibitions that GA are involved with at the V&A, as well as helping with the extensive workload for the Barbican. How is it going?
Alica: It’s going really well! I’ve joined what is already a well-oiled machine in terms of how the work is structured, and the team is highly focused and skilled, so I’ve been able to get stuck in straight away.
GA: You started out gaining hands-on experience on construction sites. How does that practical background shaped the way you work today?
Alicia: It’s definitely helped me to view jobs in a more realistic light in terms of how they actually transpire, not just as contracts and paperwork. I also appreciate the value of the work required to complete a construction project, and all the small pieces that come together to make up a large project.
GA: You previously ran your own interior design business? Are you still practising as an ID?
Alicia: I am, but it’s just for pleasure now, to keep the creative part of my brain active. I think it’s important to keep skills sharp because it’s all useful knowledge. Especially in this industry, it’s valuable to understand how the creative side of the job supports the efficiency that’s required.
GA: Having worked across both creative and delivery-focused roles, how do you balance design ideas with the realities of a project? And what skills do you think you will be transferring into your new role at GA?
Alicia: It’s important to leave enough space for design and creativity, while bringing structure to it so that everyone is satisfied with the part they play in the project. Balancing this with budget and programme, while maintaining the design intent, is something I enjoy the challenge of. Otherwise, there would be no project at all.
GA: What do you think makes a project run smoothly from your perspective, and how would you describe your approach in a fast-paced environment?
Alicia: Communication and personality are vital when it comes to connecting with the people you work with. I enjoy fast-paced environments, and I’ve always believed in the idea that you give a job to a busy person. I like to get ahead early so I’m not constantly catching up.
GA: You play the piano. What kind of music do you enjoy, and do you find it influences your mindset or way of thinking?
Alicia: I love most genres of music. It’s really circumstantial for me, but I do like house music, as I find it motivates me while still allowing me to focus. When it comes to piano, classical music is my favourite, as I find it very calming to listen to and to play.
GA: We heard you enjoy a good martini. What makes a good martini and can you give us a London recommendation?
Alicia: I would say a good martini is all in the temperature. Rita’s in Soho does a pretty incredible martini and a delicious gilda.
Get in touch with Alicia here.