Jack Arnold, Engineer

Jack joined the business in 2014 after two placements with us during his degree in Construction Engineering Management at Loughborough University. We caught up with him to get his take on working at Sir Robert McAlpine.

You’ve been with us four years. What’s been the most memorable moment so far?

Honestly, it was when I was on my first ever placement. I was managing a metalwork package, and one of the first items installed was a set of steelwork supports for a trapeze in the gym. This was the first thing I had ever managed on site. At the time watching the guys do a pull-out test on the support, I was thinking, “I can do this, I can get something built!”.

What has stood out for you about working here?

All the projects I’ve been on have had great teams. On my progression from graduate to where I am now, I’ve had a number of mentors and senior engineers to support me. I’ve been impressed by the ease of colleagues adapting to different means of communicating with me due to my deafness, particularly as I can’t answer the phone!

What are the most important things you’ve learned?

Be honest with yourself and others, if you do not have the experience or knowledge regarding a particular item, someone else will. Don’t be afraid to ask.

Which qualities do you think it takes to succeed?

I think a sense of humour and an ability to pick the right battle. A key factor in the success of a project is the relationships built between all members of the project team - client, consultants and sub-contractors.

What are your future career ambitions?

I like to see what each day brings and any new opportunities that arise. Currently, I am looking to achieve chartership with the CIOB which I’m working on through the company PDP scheme.

What’s your favourite Sir Robert McAlpine project?

The Millennium Dome. Although it was built nearly 20 years ago, I was actually involved in its opening. I got to try out all the children play areas inside whilst construction was going on. You can imagine how exciting that was to a 7 year old!

How would you sum up Sir Robert McAlpine in three words?

A second family.

Meet the team

  1. Mekha Rajesh, Graduate Civil Engineering

    Growing up, Mekha had a fascination with the STEM sectors, which ultimately paved her way into completing a Masters degree in engineering and then joining Sir Robert McAlpine as a Civil Engineer.

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  2. Dane O'Kine, Quantity Surveyor

    As a part of our ‘Meet the Team’ series, we sat down with Quantity Surveyor, Dane O’Kine, to learn more about his route to construction and what drew him to joining our business.

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  3. Sam Davey, Quantity Surveyor

    Sam is one of the undergraduate students we are sponsoring through their studies. As he is currently on his Industrial Placement year with us, we took the opportunity to chat to him about his experiences and plans for the future.

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  4. Ella Mills - Planner

    Ella is undertaking a Planning Apprenticeship, whilst studying Construction Management at London Southbank Uni. We caught up with Ella to learn about her experiences so far.

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  5. Jack Arnold, Engineer

    Jack joined the business in 2014 after two placements with us during his degree in Construction Engineering Management at Loughborough University. We caught up with him to get his take on working at Sir Robert McAlpine.

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  6. Max Hacon, Engineer

    After graduating in Civil Engineering at Bristol University, Max joined us in January 2018. We caught up with him to find out more about the start of his career with us.

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  7. Helen Denham, Sustainability Manager

    Helen started her career as a Veterinary Nurse and went on to work in Wildlife Conservation and Land Management. After achieving an Open University Human Geography Degree at 38, she joined the construction industry.

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  8. Mark Boyland, Design Manager

    Mark studied architecture in New Zealand and worked in a small design practice in Wellington before heading to the UK. Once here he completed his professional qualifications, and worked in a number of roles, before joining us. We caught up with him to learn more about his experiences.

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  9. Shauna Farrell-Wessling, Construction Manager

    Shauna joined us a graduate after studying Civil Engineering at the University of Nottingham, and has since worked on projects including the new American Embassy. We spoke to her about her career to date – and what it’s like to work on her current project, the Elizabeth Tower.

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  10. Ciara Shaugnessy, Trainee Quantity Surveyor

    Ciara is studying an accelerated BSc in Quantity Surveying, studying one day a week, every week throughout the year as opposed to having a summer break. This enables her to complete the day-release course in a reduced timeframe. As part of the course she is working towards chartership and completing an assessment of professional competence.

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  11. Sammy Brady, Quality Manager

    'My role is mostly about ensuring we manage our risk and deliver a project on time, with zero defects and most importantly meet all of the client specification and legislative requirements.'

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  12. James Roy, Sustainability Manager

    James Roy is finding our open and supportive learning culture invaluable as he settles into his new role as Sustainability Manager.

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Working for Sir Robert McAlpine

  1. Exciting career opportunities in Bridgwater, Somerset

    Join our construction team delivering a state-of-the-art battery cell manufacturing facility for Agratas.

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  2. Why Join Us?

    We’re an employer that genuinely stands apart from our peers. Here’s why there is nowhere else like Sir Robert McAlpine to do the job you love.

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  3. What's On Offer

    We offer competitive packages that recognise the value we put on our people.

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  4. Experienced Hires

    Keen to take on new challenges and greater responsibility? At Sir Robert McAlpine, you will find the opportunities you need to take your career to the next level.

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  5. Emerging Talent

    Explore opportunities for school leavers, students and graduates – start on the path to achieving your career potential.

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  6. Meet the team

    Meet some of the diverse and talented employees who make our business what it is. Hear their stories and see why they’re proud to be part of the team.

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Join the team

Find out more about Sir Robert McAlpine

  1. Our Approach

    We employ exceptional people and work alongside first-rate partners to build and deliver exemplary construction projects.

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  2. Our Vision

    To be renowned for our work with clients and communities as we construct a better world for future generations.

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  3. Technical Excellence

    Technical excellence. It’s what we are known for. And it's why we attract some of the industry’s brightest talent.

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  4. People & Culture

    In everything we do, we act with integrity, treat people fairly, and do what we say we will.

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  5. Inclusion

    'We treat each other like family'. It's the ethos that we live by and that underpins our culture.

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  6. Our partnership with Maggie's

    As well as the construction of many of its architecturally significant centres, we’ve raised £1m for Maggie's in just six years.

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  7. Sustainability

    We are committed to leaving a lasting positive legacy as a result of our actions. Considering our impact on the environment and society in all we do. Playing our role in addressing the climate emergency for a sustainable and prosperous future.

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  8. Health, Safety & Wellbeing

    Health, Safety and Wellbeing is about people, and nothing is more important to us. We are committed to reducing risk and creating positive working environments.

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  9. Quality

    We pride ourselves on delivering a quality product to our clients on time, every time.

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