Growing with TEC: Laura Devenney-Henson’s Story of Progress and Possibility

Laura’s journey reads like a masterclass in seizing opportunities. After returning from two years travelling in Australia, she stumbled into a job advertisement that would change her career trajectory forever. Starting as a resource scheduler with zero knowledge of Legionella, she now manages TEC’s largest contract worth over £1 million annually and plays a pivotal role in operational leadership across a company that has exploded from a handful of staff to over 125 employees.

Laura’s TEC Journey

“Six years ago, when I joined, I didn’t even know what Legionella was. I’d never heard of it. So, I started from not knowing what it was to becoming National Contract Manager.”

Career Evolution at TEC

Laura’s rapid progression demonstrates TEC’s commitment to nurturing talent and providing clear pathways for advancement, even for those new to the water safety industry.

Career Path:

• 2019-2020: Resource Scheduler – Managing technician diaries nationwide, from Cornwall to Kent and across to Wales and the Midlands throughout COVID
• 2021-2022: Junior Contract Manager – Managing clients with assistance from other managers, when the company experienced significant growth
• 2022: Contract Manager – Managing her own contracts with full responsibility for client relationships and compliance
• 2023-Present: National Contract Manager – Leading TEC’s biggest contract, managing Cineworld and supporting operational management

Key Achievements:

• Doubled the size of a Student accommodation contract
• Brought in £1 million in sales for national contract alone last year
• Involved in successful tender presentations, sometimes for clients who TEC had lost previously due to price
• Supports operations manager with office staff management

The TEC Culture and Development

“The company actively supports professional development, and I’m always eager to participate in training and external courses to expand my knowledge, experience, and confidence.”

“I was actually planning to leave to study for an Open University business degree, but when I discussed it with my manager, I was offered a management progression path that included professional development courses. I cancelled my university plans and stayed.

“It’s exciting to work for a company experiencing this level of growth because of the job security and the fact every day brings new challenges. I’ve always sought progression and new projects in my career. At TEC, this happens naturally because our days are dynamic and varied, with different challenges and projects constantly emerging.”

“The growth of the company has been incredible to be part of. When I started, I was literally the only person in the Corby office. Now we have 15 people, and we’ve had to split scheduling roles because we’ve grown so much. From managing a handful of technicians to coordinating national operations – it’s been a wild ride!”

Mentorship and Support

“I’ve learned tremendously from my operations manager, James Lee particularly about people management – it requires a completely different skillset from contract management.

“Mark Drinkhill, our Managing Director, has also championed my progression from the very beginning. I’ve always been someone who needs new challenges – in previous roles, I’d typically leave after three years because I didn’t feel challenged enough. But at TEC, that never happens because every day brings something different.”

“The support network extends beyond just my direct managers. It’s this collaborative culture that makes TEC special – everyone genuinely wants to help each other succeed.”

About Total Environmental Compliance

Total Environmental Compliance (TEC), part of Premier Technical Services Group Ltd (PTSG), is the UK’s leading specialist in water hygiene and Legionella control. With over 30 years of experience, we serve 170+ customers across all sectors, managing compliance for 30,000+ sites nationwide. To find out about current job vacancies visit our page.