Team spotlight – meet Cécile Courouble

We’ve worked hard to recruit some of the most experienced global talent from the world of design, build, construction and project management. And, each month, we put one of our colleagues in the spotlight so you can learn a little more about their role… Next up, it’s Cécile Courouble – a key piece in the puzzle when it comes to all-things-organisation, communications and sustainability.

1. Hello Cécile! Firstly, tell us what inspired you to join the Agilité team.

Three things spring to mind! In no particular order, Agilité covers office, retail and hospitality, which offers me a huge range of experience and appeals to my various interests regarding interior design and concepts. Secondly, I was impressed by the growth of the company in just six years – not only in terms of colleagues and projects, but in the breadth of the client base and our international reputation too.

Most of all, though, not many companies emphasise and work on their values so hard. When I learned about Agilité’s commitments to ESG – particularly in terms of a more socially and environmentally responsible way of working – I knew I wanted to become part of the team.

2. Can you share a little bit about what you do, and the role you play in the delivery of Agilité's projects?

My role at Agilité is more on the internal and interpersonal side. I improve and track the company's internal and external network, analyse and communicate our ESG values and work closely with my colleagues throughout Europe, as well as keeping in contact with our partners, memberships and clients.

3. How would you describe our organisation and the work we do to someone who had never heard of Agilité before?

Agilité provides interior fitouts for clients in the office, retail and hospitality sectors. I believe our ESG values make us special because we don’t just talk about how sustainable and social we want to be – it’s what drives us every single day.

4. What has been your favourite Agilité project to work on, to-date?

Whilst I am not directly involved in the delivery of our clients’ projects, I very much enjoy working on the various team-building activities, such as our Christmas parties and the annual ski trip! I was very motivated by the sustainability workshop we had in Paris too, as it showed me the many possibilities to make Agilité more aware of its impact – both socially and environmentally – and how I can impact this journey.

5. In your opinion, what makes Agilité stand out from the crowd? And how do you put your stamp on that distinction?

Agilité is made up of incredible people throughout Europe. To deliver the high standards we are known for requires experience and capability, but also intercultural skills and efficiency. I contribute to this by working on the quality and organisation of our internal procedures and the role we play throughout our client and partner networks.

6. Describe a defining moment in your career, and how it has shaped the work you do at Agilité.

Before joining Agilité, I used to be self-employed in the same field, but it was very different work from what we do here! I learned a lot but wanted to be part of something bigger, with a wider client base, bigger assets and more international business. My experience shapes my understanding of how a successful company needs to function and the meaning behind going to work every day.

7. If a dream client were to call, who would it be and why?

Google or Microsoft – because they have very interesting office concepts. I’d love to be a part of the design team on one of these projects, overseeing the sustainable material selection, too. Their offices include elements of biophilic design and embrace different textures and sound-dampening materials. Both embrace the idea of creating a home-away-from-home feeling, to try and encourage colleagues back into the workplace.

8. What one piece of advice would you give to a client looking to expand into a new country, drawing from your experiences and expertise?

I would encourage them to adapt to the local culture while upholding the brand’s identity and values – a careful balance!

9. What excites you most about the future of Agilité? How do you see your role contributing to this vision?

Being a part of a brand that is actively becoming more sustainable, most recently culminating in our certification as a B Corp! My role is to engage every single one of our teams to willingly make an impact – and share this message with our clients and partners.

10. In what ways do you envision Agilité continuing to lead the way in sustainable practices within the construction industry? How do you personally align with Agilité's sustainability values?

We should make sustainable procedures part of our project contracts, such as measurements to reduce the amount of water and energy used, monitor our waste, and where possible, reuse assets.

I am constantly learning about how we can make a bigger impact as a company and what sustainability on a construction site means to us and our stakeholders. I share the same values as Agilité as a brand, so I’m motivated to have an impact on our mission to become more environmentally and socially responsible.

11. What industry changes or trends do you think will have the biggest impact on our sector over the coming year?

Responsible organisations are becoming increasingly attractive to potential clients and colleagues. I’ve been reading more about the rising interest in pre-fabrication and modular construction with 3D printing – techniques which contribute to risk prevention, exact cost estimation, waste reduction and much more.

12. And finally, when you’re not at work, where are we most likely to find you?

I find my ‘me time’ when I’m doing household chores – it really helps me to relax. You’ll also find me chasing after my son, who manages to brighten every single day.