Austin holds a BSc in psychology and began her career in HR in 1997 with BAE Systems. Following the BAE Systems graduate development programme, Austin moved into the manufacturing industry by joining CooperVision, an international contact lens manufacturer, in 2000.
She was then approached to move into her first HR management role with Delta Electrical a year later. Delta's acquisition by US-based industrial manufacturer Eaton Corporation led to a wide range of opportunities across the globe, and Austin held a number of HR management roles supporting US and EMEA facilities in several organisational restructures.
She joined the HR team at Costain in 2005 working in a variety of HR roles and became group HR director in 2014. Austin was appointed to the executive board in July 2015.
She's currently responsible for defining and delivering the people strategy across the Costain group. Main areas of focus include executive board strategy development, remuneration committee matters, group-wide HR operations, recruitment, learning and development, engagement, HR shared services and pensions.
Austin is a fellow of the CIPD and an alumni member of INSEAD following completion of the advanced management programme in 2015.
Externally Austin is a non-executive director/foundation governor of Warwick Independent Schools Foundation and an HR board trustee for Maidenhead Citizens Advice Bureau.
She lives in Maidenhead and is married with two young children.
