Spotlight on the women of Insightful Environments: Careers, insights and advice

At Insightful Environments, women are represented across every part of the business, from design and account management to business development and finance. Today, our team is made up of 57% men and 43% women.

That breadth of perspective plays an important role in how we work, shaping the conversations we have as a team and the ideas we bring to the organisations we support.

To mark International Women’s Day, we spoke with three members of the IE team about their careers, what they enjoy most about their roles, and the advice they’d share with women building their careers today.

Claire Halvorsen, Business Development Director

Claire has over 15 years’ experience in the commercial interiors industry. She has worked across North America and Europe with start-ups, SMEs and global organisations, delivering workplace projects of varying scale and complexity. She is passionate about sustainability and applying workplace research to support innovative client solutions.

Claire recently transitioned into the role of Business Development Director at IE. Her responses below draw on her experience working with clients as a Strategic Account Manager.

"It’s a fun industry built on relationships, with lots of variety, different roles and opportunities to be creative."

What originally attracted you to your role at IE, and what’s kept you there?

After many years working for a manufacturer, the role at IE was an exciting learning opportunity, both commercially and from a product perspective. It’s critical to have up-to-date cross-market knowledge to pull together the most relevant packages based on a client’s drivers – aesthetic, functional, sustainable or budget. It’s a fast-paced role with lots of variety, and I work with a great team.

What part of your work do you find most rewarding?

It’s not unusual to live and breathe a project right up to the point of sign-off. There’s a lot involved, whether it’s sourcing products, confirming finishes, reviewing sustainability criteria or coordinating AV requirements. Seeing the furniture come together and harmonise with the wider project is definitely one of my favourite parts of the role.

What advice would you give to women entering the industry?

It’s a fun industry built on relationships, with lots of variety, different roles and opportunities to be creative. Like many people, I ‘fell into’ the industry, but it’s been a great career with plenty of opportunities. If you think you might enjoy being part of this community, give it a go!

Liouaa Elkhadiri, Strategic Account Manager

Liouaa has over 10 years’ experience in commercial furniture and workplace solutions. Before joining IE, she worked across a variety of furniture consultancies managing workplace projects. As a Strategic Account Manager, she works closely with clients and partners to deliver tailored workspace solutions.

"Understanding clients’ goals and working closely with our internal teams to deliver the best possible solutions is a big part of the role."

What originally drew you to your job, and what’s kept you there?

I was drawn to the role because it combines building strong client relationships with creating workplace solutions that have a real impact. What keeps me engaged is the variety of projects and the opportunity to work closely with clients over the long term, helping them shape workplaces that support their people and culture.

What skills are most important in your role?

Relationship building is key, along with strategic thinking and strong communication. Understanding clients’ goals and working closely with our internal teams to deliver the best possible solutions is a big part of the role.

What does a typical day at IE look like for you?

No two days are the same. My day usually involves speaking with clients, collaborating with internal teams on projects, and planning how we can deliver the best possible experience for our clients. I also spend time coordinating across teams to keep projects moving smoothly.

One of the aspects I really value about the culture at IE is the opportunity to take part in community initiatives, such as planting trees and helping with food bank distributions at Christmas. It’s great to feel part of a team that gives back.

Melissa McInnes, Client Liaison Manager

Melissa has over 25 years’ experience in the furniture industry. She started at IE managing the customer services teams at our Leeds site before moving into her current role as Client Liaison Manager. Melissa now works on one of our largest accounts, providing day-to-day support for complex multi-site projects.

"This role isn’t just about ‘bums on seats’; it’s about creating workplaces that truly work for each business."

What originally drew you to your job - and what’s kept you there?

I’ll be honest, office furniture wasn’t on my list of careers, but I fell into it and absolutely love it. It isn’t just about desks and chairs – it’s about shaping workplaces that entice people back into the office and create environments they enjoy being in. From breakout and collaboration areas to focus pods, prayer rooms and wellness spaces, the possibilities are endless.

This role isn’t just about ‘bums on seats’; it’s about creating workplaces that truly work for each business. Every organisation has different needs, and it’s so interesting helping to bring those to life with the client – and incredibly rewarding to see the finished result!

What skills are most important in your role?

First and foremost, and by far the most important and essential part of any job or career is communication. It may sound cliché, but without this key ingredient the purpose of any role will almost certainly fall down. If you can communicate clearly with your clients, suppliers, colleagues and even the cleaner in your office, sharing instructions, requirements and information concisely, you’re far more likely to achieve your goals and deliver the right end result.

What advice would you give to women building their careers today?

My advice to women everywhere is that you can achieve anything you want. The world is out there and ready for you to take it on. You are the master of your own destiny, and whatever you do, remember that you are making a difference. In small or large ways, your contribution helps shape the world around you – it wouldn’t be the same without you. Oh, and always have a cat in your life… if you know, you know.

At IE, the work we deliver is always a team effort. From the first client conversation through to project delivery, it’s shaped by the experience, judgement and collaboration of the people involved.

You can learn more about IE and the team here. Or take a look at our services - from design and consultancy to furniture solutions, reuse and office moves.