Meet the team: Rebecca Heald

What drew you to Arcitile? 

They don’t feel like a traditional construction company. I’d always said that if I ever went back into an employed role, it would have to be something a little bit different; I didn’t want to get stuck in the same old cycle. Arcitile has genuine ambition to do things differently, with a real focus on quality, on relationships and on creating exceptional spaces. 

After more than twenty years of helping people and organisations perform at their best, I’ve realised the same principles apply whether you’re in education or construction: projects succeed because of people, and businesses grow because of trust. Coming from outside the industry is a strength, because I can see opportunities that people who have been in it a long time don’t always notice. 

What does your day-to-day look like? 

There isn’t really a typical day, and that’s one of the things I enjoy most. Relationships are a big part of the role, both inside and outside the business: meeting architects, designers, contractors and clients, attending industry events, and looking for ways to connect people and projects. 

But the role is broader than that. I’m also looking at how we work as a business: reviewing processes, improving communication, supporting recruitment and developing our people. Honestly, it’s probably as much a people lead role as a business development one, because ultimately I’m trying to create the right conditions, externally and internally, for the business to grow sustainably. 

You talk a lot about wellbeing and inclusive leadership. How does that shape your work? 

I’ve always believed the best businesses are built around people. When people feel valued, listened to and trusted, they do their best work, and that belief influences everything I do here: how we communicate with clients, how we build relationships and how we tell the stories behind our projects. I want people to feel they’re working with real people, not just another contractor. The industry is changing, and the businesses that embrace different perspectives are the ones that will keep growing. 

What does good business development look like to you? 

Numbers matter, because they tell you whether what you’re doing is working; but relationships are what create those numbers in the first place. Good business development is about becoming someone people can trust and turn to, and that never comes from a hard sell. The best work I’ve done has always come from relationships that took time to nurture, often from places I’d never have predicted. Listen well, understand what people need, consistently deliver on what you promise, and the commercial results tend to follow. 

What might surprise people about you? 

I genuinely love being outside my comfort zone; I think I’m a bit addicted to the adrenaline. Whatever I’m doing that scares me a little is usually where I find the most satisfaction, and often where the biggest opportunities are. People might also not know that I’m a qualified nutritionist, and that I hold dual nationality: I’m an Italian citizen as well. 

What advice would you give your younger self?

That you don’t have to constantly prove yourself, and that working harder isn’t always the answer. For years I’d work myself into the ground trying to prove myself; over time I’ve learned that my strength is already within me. Believe in yourself internally, and stop trying to put yourself in a box.