Employee profiles

“In 1994, aged 17, I joined RMD Kwikform as a Trainee Formwork Designer. Within five years I progressed to Design Team Leader and continued part-time further education in civil engineering. I graduated with a BSc Hons in civil engineering and worked as a Project Engineer on several major UK construction jobs, including Canary Wharf, the Channel Tunnel and Wembley Stadium.

In 2004, I was seconded to Florida for a 12-month period to train engineering staff and to oversee, review and produce forward-revenue forecasts for a co-hire and sale agreement with the US company. I was then assigned to Dubai, as Project Manager on the Dubai Mall - the world’s largest shopping mall - where I managed a team of design engineers and site supervisors and controlled the logistics of the equipment deliveries.

After the completion of the Dubai Mall I decided to diversify my career into sales to gain commercial experience. Following 18 months as a Technical Sales Engineer I have recently been promoted to Major Projects, Business Development Manager for the Abu Dhabi region of the UAE."

“Since joining Interserve as an Administration Assistant I have had the benefit of progressing through internal promotions and secondment opportunities to the role of Business Process Manager. Working within the Retail and Cleaning Division has given me a diverse understanding of the facilities management business. I have been fortunate to work for individuals who have allowed me to develop through both the formal training route and through their mentoring. I truly value the time I have spent at Interserve and am proud of my achievements.”

“Throughout university I completed work placements in the engineering sector totalling 18 months across three years with Interserve. My 2007 and 2008 placements were completed in Leeds at the £27m Allerton High school, where I moved away from my home city to complete a full-time four-month placement. In 2009 I completed a four-month placement in Sandwell at the £55m Rowley Regis Learning Campus. I graduated from the University of Birmingham with a 2:1 in Civil Engineering and joined Interserve in 2010. I work as part of the team delivering the new £77m Sandwell College which will, once completed, bring three original campuses together on one site. I am currently managing a variety of packages as part of the total build, and am involved in setting out and levelling, man management, QA, health, safety, and environmental issues.

During my university placements with Interserve the company really went out of its way to treat me as an individual, not just another employee. They gave me lots of financial support too, paying for my accommodation and fuel costs so that I could really concentrate on the work. At the time you couldn't tell the difference between the placement students and the full-time Interserve staff because we were all treated equally. The placement students were given real responsibilities, not just the mundane tasks to do.”

“After graduating from Leeds University I joined Interserve Construction in its regional building department as a Trainee Site Manager. Since joining I have worked on several projects with large clients like the BBC and Ministry of Defence. Interserve’s training is second to none with in-house training and external courses available. I have recently started a MSc. in Project Management funded by Interserve and I am also on course to become a Member of the Chartered Institute of Building.

After being promoted to Assistant Site Manager more roles and responsibilities were awarded and large sections of work were tasked to myself. At all points there is someone to help and lend a hand, which enables me to learn quicker and develop as a manager.

I genuinely enjoy construction. I enjoy the dynamics of change, the unforeseen circumstances that occur, the liaison with sub-contractor and client, the continuous drive for improvement and the satisfaction of delivering a superlative product that meets, and exceeds, the client’s requirements and specifications. Interserve gives me this opportunity to take pride in my work and deliver a product that I can be proud of.”

“I joined Interserve in October 2007 as a Trainee Quantity Surveyor with no previous experience in the construction industry. One of my reasons for choosing a profession within the construction industry, was primarily as a result of the admiration I had for a close family member who had worked within the industry, on fairly major and diverse projects, for a number of years. I found the decision to join Interserve a relatively simple one after extensively researching the company profile on the internet and attending an interview with the Infrastructure Division.

My current role within the infrastructure business is helping me to develop my knowledge base, communication skills and experience as a site-based Quantity Surveyor. Working within a fairly large site-based team, at RAF Brize Norton, has also exposed me to a number of distinct, unique and challenging experiences. Interserve is also providing me with the necessary academic development and support by sponsoring my part-time Construction Business Management Degree course at the University of Greenwich.

I know my future career path, with Interserve, will be both a varied and rewarding one, with the opportunity to obtain a professional qualification with the RICS and the necessary mentoring and structured career development that I will require.”

“I joined Tilbury Douglas Construction in 1994 (which became Interserve in 2001), working for the East Midlands Regional Building Division.

Having joined the company part way through my first year Higher National Certificate, my initial role on site was Assistant Engineer, which helped me to acclimatise into a management environment.

I am now a Senior Project Manager (MCIOB, MAPM), accountable for large regional projects up to £25 million. I am responsible for managing sizeable, multi-disciplined teams and assisting the region in bid management and tender presentations on substantial schemes.

Interserve provides all new starters with a clearly defined and structured career development plan with annual performance assessments to identify training needs. Interserve operates an annual Group Training Trust Award for individuals who show exceptional levels of commitment to training.

Over the years, Interserve has offered me both a vibrant and satisfying working environment within which to forge a solid career.”

“I joined GKN Kwikform in August 1986 on the YTS scheme. Due to internal restructuring in 1987 I was very soon offered a role as office junior. From there I became Administration Supervisor and then was promoted to Hire Sales Coordinator and then Depot Manager at the Coventry depot. During my three years in this role Kwikform merged with RM Douglas to become what we know today as RMD Kwikform Ltd.

In 2005, I was offered a new position as UK Sales Support Manager working at the Head Office in Aldridge. I love my job! I look after the UK price list, oversee the sales forecasting tool and I provide support for all the UK territorial sales.”

“Having attained a BA Honours in Marketing and a Chartered Institute in Marketing Qualification, I joined Interserve Education in 2006 as a Project Co-ordinator working on three PFI Schools.

I am currently Assistant Project Manager with Interserve Investments, working towards becoming Project Manager in the near future.

At Interserve I feel that the management listens to me, and that my career will continue to develop thanks to the training and development the company provides.”

“I joined as a civil engineer graduate trainee, followed a project management career path and now I am a Divisional Board Director responsible for delivery of national frameworks for key clients.”

“After graduating from Exeter University, I joined Interserve Construction in the Infrastructure division as a Site Engineer, working on several schemes primarily within the waste water industry.

I enjoyed the variety of challenges presented, particularly within environmentally sensitive areas.

In 2006, I was seconded to Parsons Brinckerhoff to gain valuable design experience. Following my work in the design office, I became Design Co-ordinator working on two Early Contractor Involvement Schemes for the Highways Agency.

As Structures Agent I managed construction of bridges, which allowed me to see my designs being built on site – including the construction of a Bebo pre-cast arch over the London to Penzance railway.

Since passing my Professional Review I have become involved with the ICE, giving several presentations on the work I have been involved with. I have also enrolled as a Construction Ambassador to share my passion for civil engineering within local schools.”

“I joined Interserve as a Project Analyst in 2002 after graduating with a Mathematics and Management degree. I have been part of a number of key business transformations gaining the experience necessary to progress into a commercial management role.

I have recently been appointed as Commercial Director for our business unit and I am responsible for commercial, contractual and financial management of existing operations and new business opportunities.”

“I joined Interserve in 1988, initially working on the Toyota UK project. I then took on responsibility for the building and refurbishment of prisons in England and Wales, subsequently being appointed Northern Regional Manager. I have recently been responsible for the BSF schools programme in Leeds and setting up a new regional office.

Engineering Services is at the core of Interserve’s work, offering many opportunities within Specialist Services to develop my skills and experience.”

“My initial move to Tilbury Douglas in 1996 (which became Interserve in 2001) was made to progress my career from Assistant Quantity Surveyor to Project Surveyor, involved in larger, more complex schemes.

I joined as a Project Quantity Surveyor for the Infrastructure Division where I was involved in projects for Severn Trent Water. Following this I moved onto a number of complex schemes with extremely tight timescales for the Highways Agency, with a larger team to manage.

I then left Interserve for a short period and branched away from quantity surveying into a role that combined bid management and business development for a new workstream. In September 2007, I returned to Interserve to become Business Sector Manager, Communications and Client Account Manager for BT.

Over the years Interserve has given me the opportunity to progress my career to what is now a senior management role. This has been achieved both through training and also through being exposed to a number of different types of project and working environments.

I have had excellent support from my direct line management and the work environment and culture has always been an enjoyable and pleasant place in which to work.”

“I studied Management and Business at Reading University and graduated with a first-class degree in 2005. Following a summer placement I was taken on permanently as Group Centre HR Co-ordinator.

During my time at Interserve I have had lots of training and development, including support from the company through my professional qualification (CIPD) - following which I have recently progressed to the role of Group HR Business Partner.”