Date: 8th February 2023

Thank you to STEGTA for their apprenticeship support

We are committed to offering an apprenticeship programme across all our disciplines, which is achieved with the support of our training providers.

We have had a strong relationship with STEGTA since 2014 when we recruited our first civil engineering apprentices. From our initial meeting to present day, STEGTA have supported us every step of the way, with the team that have worked hard to support us across the whole recruitment and onboarding cycle.

Their assistance doesn’t stop there. Once in role, our apprentices have a dedicated STEGTA Training Officer, who is there to help guide and support them throughout their studies through to their end point assessment.

The impact of recruiting apprentices has been a pivotal experience for Curtins. It is embedded in our culture to nurture people to become the best they can be, and apprenticeships give us a platform to maintain that culture.

From day one, our apprentices become valuable members of our teams, impacting local and national landscapes, with many going on to complete higher level or degree apprenticeships.

As a business, we champion apprenticeships and take immense pride in providing social mobility and career opportunities for anyone, at any age, to start their career in engineering. STEGTA is an integral part to making Curtins’ apprenticeship strategy a success and we look forward to working in collaboration for many years to come to ensure that we future proof our industry and continue to positively impact society.

Date: 6th February 2023

Andy Macfarlane appointed to our Board of Directors

From graduate engineer to board director, Andy Macfarlane brings wealth of expertise to our leadership team 

We pleased to share that Andy Macfarlane has been promoted to our Board of Directors, with overall responsibility for civil and structural engineering in both our Liverpool and Birmingham offices.

Andy joined the Curtins’ team as a graduate engineer in 2002, and over the past 20 years he has progressed through to Business Unit Leader in our Liverpool office, whilst also supporting our Birmingham team in the West Midlands.

Andy is passionate about research and development, and is invested in pursuing efficiencies through innovative working practices in the ever-evolving construction sector.

He is a recognised thought-leader on modern methods of design and construction. In recent years, Andy has shared his expertise during speaker slots at the Education Estates, Healthcare Estates, Digital Construction and AUDE conferences, as well as our own technical webinars, such a Podiums.

Rob Melling, Chief Executive comments:

“In the last couple of years, we have seen positive adjustments made to our board’s structure, which have brought a wider thinking and approach to our leadership team at Curtins – and Andy’s appointment is the natural next step in this progression.

“Andy has always been focused on finding new and better ways of doing things, supporting Curtins’ aims to be thought leaders and pioneering in our approach. I am certain that having his forward-thinking outlook as part of our Board of Directors will be an asset to our future growth.

“Alongside Andy’s search for continual improvement is his commitment to helping people achieve their potential and become the best version of themselves. There are many people inside (and outside) of Curtins who would say that Andy had been a key part of their own development, through his support and encouragement.

“I have no doubt that his recent promotion to our board will provide him with an even greater platform to do that; and he’ll no doubt continue to have a significant and positive impact on many people within our company.”

Andy Macfarlane, newly appointed Board Director adds,

“Since my first day of work experience whilst at university, Curtins has supported and guided me in developing my career.  I have had the opportunity to work as part of teams delivering many exciting and challenging projects across the country, and a platform to influence change in our evolving industry.

“I am excited in this new role as a Board member to contribute the ongoing success and leadership of Curtins, to be involved in the development and progression of our industry, and to play my part in ensuring that Curtins continues to provide the support and opportunities which were available to me.”

As an independently owned business, we are known for our agility and ability to evolve to seize opportunities. Andy has joined our 14-strong-board 18 months after our transition to become an Employee-Owned Trust in 2021.

The promotion also follows the board’s 2022 expansion to include wider representation from our specialisms, as well as seven new business functions.

Curtins’ Board of Directors now comprises Andy Macfarlane, and Rob Melling as chief executive; alongside Alex Vogt, Dan Evans, David Price, Helen Salt, Jon Moister, Neil Parkinson, Oliver Delucia-Crook, Paul Menzies, Phil Bruford, Philip Hughes, Rebecca King, and Rhiannon Carss.

The diverse and dynamic capabilities of Curtins’ Board mean we are well positioned as a business to deliver the best for our clients and employees, with ample agility to respond quickly to market demands.

Date: 2nd February 2023

We’re partnering with Alzheimer’s Research UK for 2023

Our staff pledge to support ground-breaking dementia research

We are proud to announce that we will be supporting Alzheimer’s Research UK as our nominated Curtins Care Charity of the Year. Over the course of 2023, we will aim to raise at least £15,000 to help fund the charity’s dedicated work towards the treatment, diagnosis, prevention and cure of dementia.

Alzheimer’s Research UK is committed to changing the lives of everyone affected by dementia. Without action, one in three people born today will develop dementia in their lifetime, and sadly there are currently no treatments available in the UK today to slow or stop dementia. The charity supports scientific research into life-changing discoveries to prevent, treat and, one day, cure the diseases that cause dementia.

Last year, Curtins raised a total of £18,672.89 for Cancer Research UK, and we are hoping to achieve a similar target for the year ahead with Alzheimer’s Research UK.

In addition, and to help encourage fundraising activity, we provide every member of staff with the opportunity to spend a day in aid of charitable endeavours, either fundraising or donating their time. In previous years, this has included painting facilities at Samaritans’ centres, gardening for Marie Curie hospices, or taking part in cycle rides.

The charity partnership was officially launched across our offices on Wednesday 1st February.

Rob Melling, Chief Executive at Curtins comments: “Our mission will always be to positively impact the communities we serve, with an ethos that has shaped the work we have done since we were founded in 1960. In truth, it wouldn’t matter if we were still just one office in our Liverpool hometown, or the 14 offices we have grown to today – our purpose continues to encourage our staff to do more to support those around us.

“As a business, we have proudly partnered with dozens of worthy charities over the years, raising more than £90,000 in the past 5 years alone.

“Our team are always keen to support our charity partners, and other charities close to their hearts, in any way they can. In past years they’ve done everything from Mad Hatter’s Tea Parties and bold (or should I say bald) head shaves, to marathons and office walks. We are all looking forward to this year’s plan of events and activities, and supporting the incredible work of Alzheimer’s Research UK.”

Hilary Evans, Chief Executive at Alzheimer’s Research UK comments: “We’re thrilled to see Curtins choose to support Alzheimer’s Research UK, and we can’t wait to see how they raise funds and awareness to help bring us closer to life-changing dementia treatments. Dementia is one of the biggest health challenges we face, with almost one million people in the UK living with dementia right now. Despite this, there are no treatments available in the UK to slow or stop the diseases that cause dementia. The support from everyone at Curtins is vital if we’re to make the life-changing discoveries that people with dementia desperately need.”

For more information about Alzheimer’s Research UK, visit www.alzheimersresearchuk.org.

Date: 10th January 2023

Rebecca King shortlisted in Northern Power Awards

We’re immensely proud that Rebecca King MCIPD MBA, our Board Director responsible for Learning & Development, has been shortlisted for Levelling Up Leader in the Northern Power Women awards.

Rebecca is at the forefront of delivering the training and development opportunities that enable our staff to achieve their professional goals, and her enduring effort to deliver the best in terms of diversity and inclusion continues to make waves.

We know there will be a lot of people rooting for her. Rebecca sits on committees for both the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) and Association for Consultancy and Engineering (ACE), and is an active member of the CIPD Merseyside and North Cheshire branch to boot.

We’re looking forward to supporting her at the awards ceremony on 20th March.

Date: 15th December 2022

Curtins signs the Yorkshire & Humber Climate Action Pledge

We have proudly become signatories on the Climate Action Pledge for Yorkshire and Humber. It is the first regional pledge of its kind in the UK to require businesses and organisations to make a commitment across four areas of action: becoming climate resilient; reducing carbon emissions; enhancing nature and biodiversity

Its aim is to help the region become “climate ready,” and is a commitment to tackling the climate and ecological emergency.

The Pledge has been developed by the Yorkshire and Humber Climate Commission, an independent body set up to support and guide ambitious climate action in the region, and we are pleased to be able to support its aim of achieving net zero.

You can read more about the Climate Action Pledge at www.climateactionpledge.org.uk

Date: 28th November 2022

Welcome to our new team members in Cardiff

We would like to extend a warm welcome to our new starters in our growing Cardiff office. Jeremy Kent, Richard Sambrook and Sarah G. join our expanding team as we excitedly await the opening of our new office premises in Cardiff’s city centre.

Jeremy joins as Associate, Richard as Principal Engineer, and Sarah as Graduate Engineer. As an Employee Owned Trust and Investors in People Platinum accredited company, our people are at our very core. Our new starters in Cardiff will benefit from professional development opportunities via our formal training programmes, that include the Curtins Graduate Academy and STEP Ahead for senior leaders.

It continues to be an exciting time for our team in Wales. The office is working on a number of prestigious projects including Pentre Awel for Bouygues Construction, the Pathology unit at Morriston hospital for Kier, a state-of-the-art Satellite Radiotherapy Unit at Nevill Hospital for Kier, Aeron Valley Primary School for Wynne, Canolfan Lleu for Faithful+Gould and the Cardiff University Healthcare Relocation Project with AECOM.

Business Unit Director in Cardiff, Dean Saxton comments, “Having worked with Curtins in Cardiff for 7 years now, I’ve seen Curtins continue to grow and make its mark in the region. Whilst the past couple of years have brought outside challenges, Curtins have continued to evolve by ensuring our core values remain central to our business.

“The last couple of years have seen us transition to an Employee Owned Trust, putting our people at the heart of the business. We continue to lead in carbon reduction and MMC innovation, with continual improvements made to our carbon toolkits. We have also developed our Civils Insight programme, which raises awareness to our future graduates on the importance of Sustainable Drainage Systems, as well as the impact of climate change on future flood risk to our communities.

“I am confident and excited about Curtins’ future in Wales and very pleased to welcome Jeremy, Richard, and Sarah to our team. They are sure to strengthen our offering to the Welsh market.”

We also look forward to welcoming Yazdi Batki IEng MCIHT as a Principal Civil Engineer, joining our Civils team in December.

Date: 13th October 2022

The latest Billboard from our CDM and H&S Consultancy Service team

The latest issue of Curtins’ Billboard newsletter is here with a spotlight on our CDM and Health & Safety Consultancy service.

The Billboard features a look at The Building Safety Act 2022, CDM 2015 and news from across our teams regionally.

Click here to read the Billboard for Yorkshire and the North East

Click here to read the Billboard for the North West

Click here to read the Billboard for London and the South East

For more information on our CDM and Health & Safety Consultancy Service, click here.

Date: 12th October 2022

Curtins signs the Menopause Workplace Pledge

Curtins is taking action to tackle the issues of the menopause without stigma, judgement or reluctance in the workplace, and create an inclusive workplace where open discussions around the menopause are normalised.

We have signed The Menopause Workplace Pledge in commitment to ensure all those experiencing the impact of the menopause feel well informed, respected and supported whilst at work.

In signing the Menopause Workplace Pledge, we have committed to:

• Recognising that the menopause can be an issue in the workplace and women need support
• Talking openly, positively and respectfully about the menopause
• Actively supporting and informing your employees affected by the menopause

For more information on the Pledge, click here.

Date: 11th October 2022

Curtins joins the CIHT Diversity and Inclusion Charter

In continuation of our commitment to fostering inclusive and diverse workplaces, reflective of the communities we serve, we are proud to have signed the Chartered Institution of Highways & Transportation’s (CIHT) Diversity and Inclusion Charter.

We are stronger together. By signing the Charter and joining dozens of our industry colleagues, we will collectively work to support the development of good diversity and inclusion practice across the sector.

We value diversity and respect all differences in all people and becoming a signatory to the CIHT Charter is our open commitment to fulfilling our purpose.

For more information on the Charter, please click here.