Roni, is a Chartered Engineer, Chartered Geologist and SiLC (Specialist in Land Condition).
A graduate of University of Portsmouth with a BEng(hons) in Engineering Geology and Geotechnics, she also holds a Masters’ (with distinction) in Environmental Management. She has worked on many major construction schemes, including the widening of the A406 and M25. She received the highly prestigious presidential invitation to Fellowship of the Institution of Civil Engineers in 2019.
She was formerly Associate Director of one of the UK’s largest Engineering Firms.
In 2009, after gaining several years of industry experience, she established Jomas Associates, serving land developers across the UK, and achieving a turnover of £2m in 2017, with further plans for growth. Jomas undertake site investigations, engineering and environmental surveys on construction projects across the UK.
Under Roni’s stewardship, Jomas focus on providing their clients with high quality, high value, expedient, engineering solutions, with emphasis on delivery.
In 2017, Jomas was acknowledged as a high growth company by Goldman Sachs, and Roni took part in the 10kSB business programme run with University of Oxford, Said Business School.
A mother to three boys, Roni is extremely passionate about gender diversity and social mobility, volunteering her time to mentor and coach others.
Roni has a very strong entrepreneurial spirit, with a passion for success and business growth. While acting as sole director of Jomas Associates, she simultaneously co-founded Turner Jomas, a multi-disciplinary civil engineering practice.
Tell us a bit about yourself, background and your current role
Jomas Associates undertake site investigations, land contamination and geotechnical engineering assessments, for construction projects across the UK.
Did you ever sit down and plan your career?
Not initially. When I was little, I wanted to be a doctor, but as I grew older, I realised I had a phobia for blood, but a love for mathematics, and solution finding, and that Engineering was a far better fit for me. I didn’t have a plan initially, but I always wanted to be better than I was yesterday.
Have you faced any challenges along the way?
Where do I start? I work in the construction industry that is pre-dominantly male dominated, where only 12% of the workforce is female. I am aware that I am challenging the status quo, and no two days are the same, but I thrive on breaking down barriers, and tackling challenges.
What has been your biggest achievement to date?
I am extremely proud of the company that Jomas is today, the team I have working with me, our values and focus on customer satisfaction, as well as the growth we have enjoyed. Furthermore, I have been honoured with several awards in the last two years, including being named Black British Business Person of the Year 2018, Natwest Athena Inspirational Woman 2018, Women in Construction and Engineering Best Consultant 2019, Construction News – InspireMe Award 2019, amongst others. I also provided expert advice to Lord Sugar during the BBC’s 2019 The Apprentice finals.
What one thing do you believe has been a major factor in you achieving success?
My parents, my family. They have always believed in me and encouraged me to be the best version of myself.
How do you feel about mentoring? Have you mentored anyone or are you someone’s mentee?
I am a huge advocate of mentoring. Irrespective of where one is in their career, it is extremely important to have somebody else to act as a sounding board, advisor, coach, sponsor, or whatever capacity is necessary. I have been mentored, and also partake in several mentoring programmes, and find it very rewarding.
If you could change one thing to accelerate the pace of change for Gender Parity, what would it be?
I would make all companies publish their gender parity procedures, from recruitment to internal promotion.
If you could give one piece of advice to your younger self what would it be?
It doesn’t matter if no one else in the room looks like you – be the trend setter!
What is your next challenge and what are you hoping to achieve in the future?
Further growth for Jomas
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