You have a student sponsorship. How did that come about?

Early in our first year, we were encouraged to start researching employers and organising placements. The 150 year history and family story drew me to Sir Robert McAlpine – it was the first company I applied to. Fortunately, I got invited to interview. That went well and I was offered sponsorship and the chance to undertake a summer placement and industrial placement.

What was your summer experience like?

At first I was thinking “What have I got myself into?” <<laughs>>. The placement was on the Exchange Square project in Birmingham, one of the largest residential developments outside London. I was given a key role in procuring the kitchens – a budget in the millions. That’s a lot of responsibility.

How does the Industrial Placement compare?

The Industrial Placement is another step up in responsibility – it’s on a whole new level. The One Centenary Square project is massive. I’m standing here in the middle of this huge redevelopment right in the heart of the country’s second largest city. It’s just an amazing opportunity.

Why do you think placements are so valuable?

I’m on a Commercial Management and Quantity Surveying degree course. In a sense, that narrows your future career options. As an 18 or 19 year old in that position, you can’t help wondering “Have I made the right choice?” The placements have been great because they’ve given me complete confidence that I made the right decision.

What are the most important things you’ve learned here so far?

Job wise, there is so much to learn that you can’t get in a lecture room. One of the big things I’ve learned about is best value – the way that you distinguish value from price. The wider skills are important too. Stuff like time management, which will be really valuable when studying in my final year.

What are you ambitions for the future?

After this placement, I’m back to finish the final year of my course. Then I hope to go travelling for a couple of months, and fingers crossed I’ll be invited to join Sir Robert McAlpine.

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

One big family.

Finally Sam, what motivates you – what gets you out of bed in the morning?

I’m looking to get the most out of this year as possible. And I want to repay Sir Robert McAlpine for the confidence they have put in me and the opportunities I’ve been given.

Meet the team

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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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Tyler Penwill

Tyler Penwill worked with us at the new US embassy in London during his degree and he’s now part of our team at Battersea Phase 3.

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Working for Sir Robert McAlpine

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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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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What's On Offer

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

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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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Emerging Talent

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

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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

Our Approach

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

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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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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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People & Culture

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

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Inclusion

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

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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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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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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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Quality

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

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