Leo Fernandez
Ambassador - Futures
Leo joined Buro Happold’s London Acoustics team in 2021, after graduating with a Masters in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Birmingham, and was actively involved in outreach throughout his studies. The outreach project he is most proud of was called “Daughters of Invention”. Leo had to act out a theatrical role in a story and make the switch to a teacher role and lead engineering workshops with primary school children. Leo migrated to the UK at a young age, and loved how this project highlighted engineering as career path to a school with a high proportion of first & second generation immigrants.
Following his studies & during the pandemic, Leo mentored a pair of pupils struggling with GCSE Maths & Science, reminding him how important it is to offer our time to make sure we close the unfortunately widening education gap in the UK. Leo quotes Buro Happold initiatives like “Share Our Skills” and “The Happold Foundation” as a big draw for him to join the company, and he is proud to have represented the company during Work Experience week, Careers Fairs and during a Matt + Fiona Build. Based on his background and previous outreach experience, it made sense for Leo to join the Futures hub, as a way to continue making the future of the industry a more diverse space where anyone with a passion for the built environment can contribute.
In his spare time Leo likes to go to concerts, make music, play football and cycle around London.