Insights from Senior Technical Services Engineer Emmie Panagopoulos, one of Building’s 40 under 40 2025
The construction industry has long suffered from a reputational problem. Whilst opinions are slowly shifting, with a recent CIOB survey showing that two thirds (68%) of the young people they asked held a positive view of construction careers, the same survey also highlighted that “perceptions of poor workplace culture, male dominance and construction not being a respected career remain rife.”
To capture the views of the next generation and demonstrate that these perceptions are changing too, Building’s 40 under 40 showcases rising stars who will be shaping construction in the decades to come. The nominations are from all corners of the industry, reflecting its huge variety of disciplines and fields of expertise, and demonstrate that an exciting and rewarding career in construction can be open to all.
We are thrilled that one of these stars is our Technical Specification Manager, Emmie Panagopoulos. From a degree in architectural design and technology to now supporting the passive fire safety of some of the world’s most iconic buildings, Emmie’s skills, knowledge and true passion for building safety is crucial to Siderise’s success, both now and in the future.
We sat down with Emmie to talk about her nomination and get her thoughts on the future of our industry:
What does this nomination mean to you?
Being one of Building Magazine’s 40 under 40 Rising Stars means so much to me. It’s made me stop and reflect about myself and how far I have come. Which I don’t often do in all honesty! In the middle of a busy calendar and lots of tasks, the focus is always on what’s next, so it’s easy to forget the journey you have been through. The moment I got the email, it reminded me of all the challenges I’ve overcome, the growth I’ve achieved, the people who have supported me, and my real passion for improvement that has kept me going. For me, the recognition was a nudge to pause and be proud!
What first sparked your interest in fire safety within façade design, and how has that evolved over your career?
My interest in fire safety within façade design was sparked early in my career, when I became involved in fire resistance testing. Initially, I focused on reading the relevant standards and witnessing tests, which gave me a solid grounding in the principles and performance requirements. As my career progressed, I began project managing more tests and became involved in the full process from drawing up test specimens in AutoCAD and liaising with customers, to creating 3D visuals of installation methodology, controlling material procurement and shipping, working closely with testing laboratories and contractors, and witnessing the tests themselves.
This well rounded experience gave me a real appreciation for the complexity and importance of fire safety in construction. It’s one of the aspects of my career I’ve enjoyed the most, and I’ve been genuinely grateful for the opportunities to demonstrate my capability in managing test programmes from start to finish.
It’s also incredibly important! By supporting helping project teams achieve safer building designs, I feel as if I am doing something contribute to a better world for future generations.
How has your generalist background helped you approach fire safety in façade design differently than someone with a more specialised path?
Coming from a generalist background has given me a broader perspective when approaching fire safety in façade design. I’ve had the opportunity to work across different areas, from testing, detailing and specification to digital tools and structured data, which means I tend to look at problems holistically rather than through a single point of view.
It’s helped me understand how different parts of a façade system interact, especially at junctions which are often complex. I’m naturally curious about how things go together, and that’s shaped my approach to fire safety. While specialists bring deep technical insight, I think being a generalist allows me to connect the dots and ask different questions seeing things from different perspectives and raising additional considerations.
How has the support from your teams or managers shaped your confidence and technical development?
The support I’ve had from my colleagues has been a huge part of my development—both technically and personally. Siderise is full of brilliant people (I wish I could name them all!), and I’ve been lucky to work with individuals across the business who encourage curiosity and collaborate closely to achieve great outcomes. That kind of environment has really helped build my confidence.
My director, Rhiannon Phillips (Director of Customer Excellence), has been especially supportive. She’s always backed my ideas, particularly around research and customer collaboration.
What advice would you give to someone early in their career about finding and building a strong support network?
My advice would be to actively seek out people who are open, knowledgeable, and willing to share across the industry. A strong support network is built over time through conversations, shared challenges, and mutual respect.
Two biggies… don’t be afraid to ask questions, and don’t underestimate the value of listening!
Some of the most helpful relationships I’ve built have come from simply being curious and showing genuine interest in how others approach problems. Asking how things work and why they are done a certain way helps build a deeper understanding and a solid foundation of knowledge. Be interested in what people have to say, and appreciate the time they give you. People are often more willing to share, especially when they see you are engaged and eager to learn.
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