Charity bike ride across London
To mark the two-year anniversary of Kier’s partnership with Macmillan, Kier employees cycled across London visiting sites and offices raising money for the charity. The group raised over £10,000 for Macmillan.
Kier employee climbs Mount Everest
Mark Starling, SHE Manager at Kier, climbed Mount Everest raising money for the Kier Foundation and COINS Foundation. Mark reached the 8,448 metre high summit in May 2017 and raised over £37,000 for his chosen charities.
Kier sponsors the Surrey Hills Festival of Food and Drink
Kier works with Surrey County Council to maintain its highways and to support the local community, Kier sponsored the Surrey Hills Festival of Food and Drink. Kier commissioned artist Tiffany Budd to create a cow in Kier colours to raise money for the Alzheimer’s Society, Kier’s corporate charity partner
Kier Christmas card competition
We held a competition with schools to design our 2016 Christmas card and the winner was Miranda Hogg from Belmont School. She received a £100 Amazon voucher from Kier for her efforts.
Meet Ally, the orphaned kitten
Whilst working at Alexandra Palace, London, through the Scape Minor Works Framework, our site team found a stray kitten on site. A kitten of one of the stray cats living on the Palace grounds, he was left behind after his mother relocated. However, our site manager, Daniel Iacob, took him and Ally is now fully settled into his new home.
Kier shows Pride in London
At Pride in London 2017, Kier marched with industry colleagues as part of the LGBT+ Construction Working Group, under the banner #BuildingEquality. Kier is one of the 18 partners that make up Building Equality, a group of companies championing LGBT-inclusion within the construction industry.
Easter Egg Donation
Our Kier North Tyneside team and mascot Kieran visited Northumbria Specialist Emergency Care hospital to deliver 150 Easter eggs to patients, donated by colleagues and subcontractors.
Kier Living Golf Day
Members our Kier Living team held a charity golf day in Leeds to raise money for our corporate charity partner Alzheimer’s Society. They raised a fantastic £10,000.
2020 Challenge
Our Construction division is attempting to raise £200,000 for charity by travelling from Orkney to Truro using only green, non-motorised transport. The 2020 challenge will be completed in 2,020 hours and so far they’ve travelled by punt, stilts and rickshaw to name a few!
Environmental community day
Our Environmental team in Solihull held a community day earlier this year and refurbished a porta cabin and garden to provide a vital indoor space at Bluebell Community Garden.
Erik Pieters lends a hand
Stoke City and Netherlands international Erik Pieters paid a visit to one of our sites in Newcastle-under-Lyme, where we’re building a new civic hub, to speak with our apprentices and try his hand at some plastering. Erik’s visit was part of Open Doors Week, where construction companies open their sites for the public to visit and find out more about the scheme. In 2017 we had over 40 sites taking part, more than any other company.
Dementia Friends training
Some of our apprentices in North Tyneside underwent training to become Dementia Friends, working alongside our corporate charity partner Alzheimer’s Society to create better dementia-friendly communities in the local area.
Cedarwood workshop
Apprentices working as part of Kier North Tyneside gave up their free time to convert an old shipping container into a workshop for local charity, the Cedarwood Trust.
Stogursey v Kier charity match
Our team working on Hinkley Point in Somerset helped local football team Stogursey FC by relaying their pitch and improving the drainage. A Kier XI then took on Stogursey to officially open the new pitch.
Highways road sign donation
Our highways team donated some old signs and cones to the Guide Dog Association in Newcastle. They’re being used to train guide dogs in getting round obstacles left on pavements, and the cones have been a great help for Wizard and Albert!
Kier donates ducklings to school
We were carrying out work at Bromstone School in Kent, through the Scape Minor Works Framework, and learnt that the school’s ducklings had been stolen. Our project team stepped in and replaced them, then surprised the pupils with their new residents in a special assembly.
Jack Butland tries his hand at carpentry
Stoke City and England goalkeeper Jack Butland visited our Stoke Minster Church project to help Kier apprentices carry out a refurbishment of its kitchen. Four apprentices were given time of their course to do the work, which Kier completed free of charge.
Kier and Peter Crouch team up for charity
Kier’s housing maintenance team, which provides a range of services to Stoke City Council, commissioned a number of mugs to commemorate Stoke City and England star Peter Crouch’s 100th Premier League goal. He kindly signed the mugs and we’ve auctioned them off to raise money for Stoke City Football Club’s community trust.
Head of Planning
David Mellows
I work with the planning team to develop construction programmes and methodology, from initial concept stage, though the tender and construction process to final completion of a project.
The great thing about planning is that you are involved in the project from start to finish and I work with many different departments and organisations all with the common goal of completing the project on time.
SHE Advisor
Michael Simmonds
My role involves the implementation of our health, safety and environmental action plan by monitoring and mentoring other employees in our offices and on our projects in the central region.
I am passionate about my role because I have always loved the building of anything and when in the world of safety, it makes you feel that you are making a difference and assuring the safety of everyone on site. It is a very interesting career because you get to see how buildings are constructed from the ground up to the roof. It is a demanding job but I couldn’t see myself doing anything else, as the satisfaction you get when a project is handed over on time, on budget and with no accidents is a good feeling. I would recommend any young person as it gives you a satisfying feeling at the end of each day.
Financial Analyst
Morgan Scale
My role involves ensuring the company is compliant with all banking and joint venture requirements. I support the development team on new transactions and acquisition. Also I monitoring and report on our key performance indicators (KPI’s), new business analysis and investments.
I enjoy my role because it allows me to gain a financial understanding across the whole business as well as on individual projects. Managing financial programmes helps me to be able to identify risks and key elements and help contribute to the overall success and profit of the company.
Health & Safety Manager
Tim Lacy
I help our Group and Property divisions deliver on their strategic SHEA (Safety, Health, Environment, Assurance) goals for Vision 2020. I do this through the development and application of SHE programmes. I help ensure that our business units remain compliant with all SHE related legislation and drive to deliver continuous SHE improvements.
I believe that good health and safety is vital for any business, so the management of health and safety is an important role that provides added value to any organisation. It is a technical function that utilises my professional training and experience. It is a challenging and varied role that provides job satisfaction, exposure to many other business functions, as well as a mix of activities at offices and sites.
Civil Engineer
Holly Pierson
I’m heavily involved in maintaining and improving Suffolk’s Highways, designing and redesigning bus stops, working with other colleagues on major schemes and working on my own projects around the country.
My favourite parts of the job are the new opportunities I get to experience, particularly designing on AutoCAD and going on site visits where I can learn from others. The thought that I’m making a difference to Suffolk’s economy gives me great pride. Knowing that the public will be benefiting from something that I have designed for years to come gives me great job satisfaction.
Apprentice Coordinator
Stacey Botwood
I have been at Kier Living since 2013 where I started as a business administration apprentice and have since progressed to the role of apprentice coordinator.
Most days I visit sites to carry out reviews with our apprentices and make sure they are happy in their roles. This is the part of my job I love the most as no one day is the same, travelling to different sites and meeting different people. Being female, I never thought I would ever be working in the construction industry, but now that I am I can see there are so many different roles and a lot more females coming into the industry at high levels. For example, three of the directors at Kier Living Central are female!
Graduate Analyst
Virgin MediaElla Dawson
Hi my names Ella and I’m an Analyst Graduate at Virgin Media. I studied Biochemistry with French at university, and I love being an analyst because I can put the analytical and problem solving skills that I developed as a scientist to good use, but in a completely different environment.
I really did not want to go into a financial environment, and so Virgin Media was perfect for me: it’s a company with a great atmosphere, lovely people, and there’s always something going on which makes working here really fun.
Electrical Supervisor
Levi Elliot
The opportunities I have received through Kier have been endless. I have such a supportive contracts manager who has guided me throughout the process and continually encouraged me to progress. I would recommend the apprenticeship route into Facilities Management to anyone, and if I could offer any advice to someone just entering the industry then it would be that you can never ask too many questions. It shows just how keen you are to learn and fully understand the task ahead.
Becoming a qualified electrician helped broaden my opportunities and I am now an electrical supervisor for the electrical small projects team.
Finance Graduate
Virgin MediaRhys Edwards
As a Finance Graduate, I am really allowed to thrive and improve as a young professional, both inside and outside of the role, which is what attracted me to the scheme the most. I’ve been part of the Mobile Management Accounts team for 3 months now and have been given responsibility and freedom to perform my role from day 1. Right now I am in control of the month-end accounting for a type of mobile phone contract we offer, and have been given the chance to really make the process my own. Away from this I have been busy allocating different costs to their relevant cost centres, creating balance sheets, and preparing a £50 million pound journal.
Another great part of the finance graduate scheme is that you get to experience a real social aspect to work. I’m 1 of 13 Virgin Media and Liberty Global graduates in my office, with many more spread across the country and Europe. The company encourage us all to mingle, and I’ve already had the chance to go to graduate events in Manchester, London, and Amsterdam. With all this happening so far, I’m really looking forward to seeing what the next 9 months bring, and beyond that the next 2 rotations on offer.
Head of Legal
Vicky Squibb
I am the solicitor who has overall responsibility for the legal advice given or procured on property-related (and other commercial) matters for the Property and Living business units.
I drive and lead commercial property deals to conclusion within challenging time-frames in order to ensure the delivery of the necessary commercial outputs, whilst taking a balanced view as to risk. I appreciate that sounds a bit contrived, and possibly a bit dull (I am a lawyer, after all). In reality I help the team that I work with (who I very much like and respect) to solve problems which enables them to buy, develop and sell property in order to make profit for the Kier Group. I enjoy it because the team is great, the buildings we create are tangible and of a high quality, and I can see the part I play in our success.
Lightning Finance Intern
Virgin MediaAyesha Markham
My job focuses on the different build types of VMs project; Project Lightning, specifically New Developments. This is where we work with a developer of a new housing site to pre-wire our network into the new homes being built. I work with people across the business to provide clarity and understanding about where we spend our capex, how far through the build we are and how many homes have been released to our network.
My favourite part of my job is the complexity of it – no day is ever the same! It’s challenging reconciling the finances but the reward from closing projects after checking our spend is worth it. Ultimately, I enjoy the fact that I have a part in adding homes to our network, and therefore growing our customer base.
Recruitment Advisor
Rachel Lindsey
I recruit for the Kier Highways business, filling vacancies across the UK. To recruit I use a number of methods including advertising, head hunting and following up referrals. LinkedIn and job boards play a huge part in my job, along with regularly speaking with candidates, hiring managers and recruitment agencies.
I enjoy the fast paced aspect of recruitment and working on a variety of different vacancies at any one time. I find the job satisfying, knowing that I have helped source new talent for the business, as well as finding the right career opportunity for a candidate.
Head of Design
Ian Warren
I oversee the Design Management role in Kier’s Birmingham office which covers the West Midlands area. I also deal with the various consultants needed on our projects including Architects, Civil and Structural Engineers, M&E Consultants, Fire Consultants, Acoustic Consultants and more. I am involved at both at the pre-construction stage and construction stage of a project, so I get to see it starting and finishing.
I enjoy my role because we work locally and therefore we impact local communities. Also everyday is different, we work with different people, we work on different projects and sometimes we manage different challenges.
Personal Assistant & Social Impact Manager
Laura Negus
In my role as Personal Assistant, I assist Rob Gray, a Technical Services Director within Kier, with every day responsibilities including diary and calendar management as well as supporting his senior management team to support and deliver the best possible service to our clients and various jobs within the business. As well as a P.A. I am a Social Impact Manager, where as part of the Scape Framework, I ensure the delivery of social impact across all projects led by our Kier Workplace Services South team. This includes liaising with various public bodies and organisations to capture and evidence all activities, assist in implementing the apprenticeship programme, arrange work experience with locals schools across the UK, conduct Health and Safety talks in Schools and record all the professional development across the team.
I really enjoy the two roles I carry out as my duties and responsibilities are constantly changing and adapting creating a challenging environment which is something I thrive on and I find allows me to do the best I can. Working with a great team is a welcomed bonus as I enjoy working with them every day without a dull moment insight.
Development Surveyor
Mica Latouche
I assist the development team in the evaluation and acquisition of sites. I also appraise and manage opportunities including the management of the development appraisal system throughout the bidding process. I regularly attend site for inspections and for site progress meetings with Project Managers and Development Managers.
I love my work because it is challenging, lucrative and it’s great to see final results of my work, particularly when every project is different. Additionally there are lots of networking opportunities to engage with other organisations.
Operations Director
Jason Taylor
I oversee the regional Construction Business within South Wales. I am responsible for leading the delivery of business development, work winning, construction and aftercare of the buildings we create. in South Wales. I have the pleasure of leading around 94 staff who deliver around £100m worth of contracts per year.
Its a real pleasure to create buildings and improve local communities and leave a lasting legacy, where we work, live and play. To see our staff grow and develop and achieve the best of their abilities is always a pleasure.
Joiner
Kieran Jassal
I enjoyed the variety of work and learning that’s part of my apprenticeship. My work is not repetitive, each job is different. My mentor was very supportive, that we even developed a friendship out of work. I have felt part of a team and I enjoy the banter with my fellow work colleagues.
I leave for work about 6.50 so I can be on site ready to start work at 8am and my working day finishes at 4.30pm. I would initially work shadowing a joiner, but gradually I became experienced to work away on my own. I enjoyed the variety of skills I was learning as each day was different. My long term ambition would be to work towards management level and to become my own boss.
Project Manager
Shahab Ahmad
I undertake due diligence and review all technical matters on project with the design team. (including pre-con, construction and post-construction).
Development and construction is so varied and diverse there is always the opportunity to personally grow and develop your experience. Whilst you go through the same broad processes on most schemes; every project is different and has its own unique issues, often completely unpredictable, which always challenges you. After going through all the work of buying a site, developing a scheme, getting planning consent and appointing a contractor (which can all take years) there is huge satisfaction is actually seeing contractors on site and building something.
Construction Supervisor
Stewart Croft
I started working at Kier as an apprentice after I left St Francis Xavier School. I’m finding my apprenticeship really interesting and varied and a typical day for me usually consists of carrying out site inductions, attending progress review meetings with subcontractors and liaising with clients about the scheme’s management.
I also spend time working with other members of the project team to understand the various roles required to deliver projects. There’s a lot of competition for apprenticeship places but if you work hard and secure one you can learn so much. I try to take in as much knowledge from the people around me as I can as each day is different within construction.
Assistant Administrator
Cherry Lisle
I’m the first point of contact for enquiries around the courses we provide and I am responsible for ensuring bookings are taken. I also work with our supply chain to arrange asbestos awareness courses.
Before each training course takes place, I make sure all relevant learner files are prepared and available to the participants. After the courses I then manage the payment process, sending out invoices and helping with any enquiries relating to this. I really enjoy working at the Gas Training Centre, the team are really supportive and have helped boost my confidence.