Maria Chandler, Operations Manager for Igne Laboratories, this is your life…tell us all about it

I joined Igne four months ago, but I’ve worked in the construction materials testing industry for 24 years, certainly defying my father’s odds.  He didn’t think I’d last a month.  He had grand ambitions for me to become an accountant – but rather than crunching numbers, I chose to crunch concrete.

Nice…so, where did the Compaction Queen moniker come from?

Well, nowadays my role sees me involved in all areas of operations, but I started out compacting and testing samples.  The name came specifically from the amount of physical effort I had to put into moisture condition value tests, compaction tests even the 4.5kg rammers lifting the hammer right above my head.  I faced down my natural height challenge, built muscle and could work harder and faster than most of the men around me, despite being shorter and lighter than them.

They respected my efforts, made me a special step to stand on so I didn’t have to keep lifting the rammer above my head, and crowned me the Compaction Queen!  My dedication to compacting samples earned me the title.  I wear it with pride!

Are you still hands on across the lab?

Yes.  Despite my main role being to ensure the smooth running of the laboratory which includes reporting and invoicing, I still step in to some of the technical queries that come through and testing when required.  

The best managers in our industry have all started out as trainee technicians and to me, keeping a hand in is critical.  You stay connected to clients and colleagues and can contribute to overcoming challenges and ensuring achievements.

How did you get into this industry?

I followed in my mother’s footsteps.  And then I was inspired to keep progressing by my first lab manager Ian Gardner - and shortly thereafter it was down to Darren, (the King of Concrete), who saw potential in me and helped me advance.

Was it always your ambition to become a professional squasher and tester?

It’s not something I ever thought I’d have a career in but here we are 24 years later! 

I wanted to be a teacher, my dad wanted me to be an accountant, and I did study accountancy … but my mum worked for a laboratory, and I got a holiday job with her and the rest is history.

I loved the experience, being hands on, making a solid difference to a project’s outcome and so I decided I wanted to go into labs full time. 

Solid difference?  Pun-tastic.  So, what would you say to someone starting out as a trainee technician today?

Work hard and don’t worry what others around you are doing, you will be recognised for the effort you put in even if it feels like, right at the start, you’re perhaps not being seen.

As I said, the most successful managers in our industry have all started out as trainee technicians so there is no barrier to entry in this business for anyone with the right attitude and motivation.  

What’s an epic workplace battle you’ve fought, and how did you emerge victorious and with your crown on straight?

You’re really milking this royal angle!  I suppose I work in a generally male dominated environment which could be perceived by some as a challenge, but I wouldn’t say it’s been much of an issue to overcome, particularly when I can still do more compactions than the majority of the lads in the laboratory! 

There are many more miles in my royal angle – how about: What about a crowning achievement or a jewel in your career's crown?

[Please note, Maria eyerolled at this point in our conversation.]

Being a part of a successful team that has stayed together for over 18 years.  We may have jumped ships in that time, but we’ve also moved mountains together and here we are back together again at Igne, building a new empire!

Here in Daventry, we launched this year to just test concrete, we had ambitions to advance, but not so soon.  Well, scrap that!  We’ve already started to expand into compaction and moisture.  And with the intention to provide all construction materials testing – gradings, limits and so on, we already need more space and more colleagues. 

There’s no stopping us.

Who or what motivates you at work?

My main motivation is to essentially do a good job - not just for myself but the team I work with and our ever-growing epic client-base.

It’s a nice atmosphere in the Daventry laboratory where we can support each other to provide a consistently good service to our clients and look after each other.

Which accomplishment in life are you most proud of?

Becoming a mum.  This by far makes me the proudest and you know - I was supported by the team I’m currently working with along the journey to motherhood, and they still support me now that my daughter Dottie is two and just getting to love nursery. 

Having flexibility and consideration as a given makes life so much easier, which in turn enables me to give everything to both my work and my home lives.

That is absolutely heartwarming to hear.  So, what does the future hold for Igne in your opinion?

It’s so refreshing to be part of what Igne is doing now but knowing what the laboratories have planned for the future is even more exciting.  

Historically, construction materials testing services have always been delivered in the same way.  Igne’s approach to providing the best equipment, training and facilities to our technicians is already setting us apart from the competition and helps show all staff there is a full career for them with Igne. 

Last but not least, tell us a secret! 

Not many people know I’m one of 7 children – I have 3 sisters and 3 brothers which means Dottie has many cousins!

Now, as anyone who knows him will agree, we have to give the final word to Peter Godfrey - he'd expect nothing less!

Bringing Maria into the fold and reestablishing the ultimate construction materials testing team was a dream come true for me - and more importantly, for Igne and our clients.  Maria is an exceptional member of the team and she in turn inspires everyone around her.  Glad the light from the staff spotlight has shone upon her!