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Civil Engineering

GRAHAM’s FIR champions inspire change in the workplace

Date

May 25, 2018
GRAHAM’s FIR champions inspire change in the workplace image
Pictured left to right: Ian Heptonstall (Action Sustainability Director), Jonathan Wright (GRAHAM Communications and Stakeholder Officer), Dave Brown (GRAHAM Highways Director) and Lord David Blunkett (former Secretary of State)

GRAHAM is celebrating after winning the Civil Engineering Contractors Association’s (CECA) Inspiring Change in the Workplace 2018 Project Award.

The Inspiring Change Awards were held on 23rd May in Cavendish Square in London. Now in their third year, the awards aim to highlight and reward organisations within the construction and infrastructure sector that create an inclusive culture within their workplace.

Submissions to the 2018 awards required evidence that the contender recognises the value of employee and/or community engagement and that they have introduced initiatives that have achieved benefits for both the business and the community.

GRAHAM’s entry was the Highways England OD East Contract, where the Fairness, Inclusion and Respect (FIR) Champion team held an accredited ‘Introduction to FIR’ workshop in partnership with Action Sustainability and CITB.

The workshop was aimed at disseminating advice to, and sharing best practice with, Highways England, its extended supply chain and peers.

Attendees gained insights into leading edge FIR policies/processes and tips on how to implement them to increase employee engagement.

On receipt of the award Leo Martin, Managing Director for GRAHAM’s Civil Engineering division, said:

“This award is a fantastic achievement for our highways team in the East of England and I’m delighted for them. GRAHAM always strives to be an inclusive employer as we recognise the importance of instilling this culture to help make our industry an attractive one to work in.

"We believe that our FIR programme has the potential to be an exemplar model for the industry, embedding best practice FIR that other organisations can follow, and recognition with this Inspiring Change Award reinforces this. We will continue to work in partnership with our clients, community stakeholders and supply chain to deliver outstanding performance and best value on our projects, while maintaining our commitment to being FIR champions.”

GRAHAM’s Highways England OD East contract consists of multiple key safety improvements, surfacing, structures and technology schemes with a value of £19m. The projects extend from Peterborough to Norwich, through to Lowestoft via Great Yarmouth.