Listen to first-hand insights from our people.
Hear from four colleagues at Alan Wood & Partners to gain first-hand insights about life at Alan Wood & Partners.
Toni Clark
Principal Geotechnical Engineer
Sheffield
I joined Alan Wood and Partners in Sheffield after working as a Graduate Geotechnical Engineer for a large design, engineering, environment and regulatory consultancy in Manchester.
My background is in Geology, having studied the subject at undergraduate level at the University of Derby, before completing my master’s degree in Geotechnical Engineering at the University of Birmingham.
AWP are currently supporting me through my chartership with the Geological Society of London, which I hope to attain later this year. This recognition will help me achieve my goals of moving into an Associate Role within our team in the coming years.
In my day-to-day role, typical tasks include organising site investigations, quoting for new jobs, analysing data, reporting on active projects, and interacting with clients. I also provide support to both the junior members of the team and senior management, helping with monthly invoicing and programming workload.
The assortment of projects was one of the things which attracted me to AWP, along with better career prospects. As a department, the projects we work on are very varied, not only in size but also by sector. Jobs I have worked on include small residential developments, supervising earthworks and ground remediation projects to large commercial and industrial developments.
I work not only within a very supportive team, but also a supportive office. Working within a multi-disciplinary office enables me to see how the work I complete feeds into projects later down the line. Everyone is helpful, approachable, and most importantly sociable!
As an office, we make use of the company social fund trying places to eat and taking part in new activities. There are a number of company benefits that I have taken advantage of, including purchasing extra annual leave, flexible working hours and shopping discounts.
Some highlights of my career at AWP include:
Carrying out the ground investigation and acting as the client’s technical advisor during the earthworks for a £150m industrial development.
Providing support for an earthworks scheme for a residential development at multiple stages including ground investigation, supervision of validation testing, production of verification reports, and liaison with the NHBC over the last 5 years.
My most recent highlight is progressing from Engineer to Principal Engineer, which I am very proud of.
Ed Houlton
Chartered Building Surveyor
Lincoln
I joined after graduating from my Master’s degree in Building Surveying which was designed to be a ‘conversion’ style degree programme for people that had completed an alternative Undergraduate degree (I completed an Economics degree previously). Before joining AWP, I completed my Master’s part time (one day a week) while working at a local building contracting firm which helped me develop and apply my understanding of the built environment during my studies. Following graduation of my Master’s I was keen to take the next step in my career and wanted to join a company where I could complete my professional chartership with the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).
MSc (Masters) Building Surveying at Nottingham Trent University.
My role comprises of two key areas, Building Surveying and Project Management.
As a Building Surveyor (BS), I carry out structural reports on a range of properties, however a large proportion are reports prepared on behalf of a proposed purchaser.
A BS is sometimes described as a ‘House Doctor’ as we have to carry out an inspection of the property, diagnosing what the defects are, carry out a prognosis as to what would happen should the issues not be addressed and recommendations for repair in order to provide the building with a ‘clean bill of health’.
I really enjoy going out to site and seeing lots of different properties and people. Even two very similar properties built at a similar time and in similar ways can vary significantly depending on what works have been done and localised issues specific to each property.
I also undertake a range of other BS roles including carrying out schedules of condition (for a new lease for example), Party Wall Surveying, Principal Designer role under the Construction Design Management (CDM) Regulations amongst others. Carrying out this range of positions provides variation to my daily and weekly workload and no two jobs are ever the same.
As a Project Manager I have regularly carried out the contract administration role for new build, extension, repair and refurbishment projects. Each project poses its own set of challenges and I have been able to apply my broad knowledge of construction technology and contracts to successfully deliver a range of schemes over the years. From initial feasibility, through to planning, tender and ultimately construction, again I really enjoy the tactile and physical side of seeing a project progress and the final result of often months of hard work, is incredibly rewarding.
Having worked alongside AWP in my previous role I was attracted to the company by both the type of work, and the people employed there. Moving to AWP also allowed me to progress into my Chartership pathway for the RICS which was a big goal of mine at the time.
First and foremost, there are a number of very knowledgeable people across the business, each often with specific specialties that I have learnt different things from over the years which has helped build my own knowledge. Ultimately the company has a great group of people with close working relationships, especially within each individual office but also as part of collaborate projects across offices.
Since joining in 2015, there have been a number of positive changes across the business, including increased holiday allowances (and an extra ‘free’ birthday day off), a new employee benefit portal where you can trade holiday days, benefit from cycle to work scheme, discount cards and cashback offers as well as health and wellbeing benefits, including access to counselling for not just yourself, but family members too.
Flexible working was also introduced a couple of years ago with core working hours of the day and the rest of the daily hours been made up to suit preferred start/finish times, which allows some staff to work around childcare or appointments. I feel that there has been a real shift towards the business providing a wider offering to staff while empowering them to take control of their own workload and projects.
I enjoy working at AWP for a number of reasons but as well as the type of work I do, a big part of that is the people and staff. There is a range of personalities but all of which are friendly and chatty and support each other on both general project work but also as part of career development. I have made a number of good friends in my time at AWP.
Most recently, the company has just implemented a formal social fund scheme across the business which I am proud to have been involved with its implementation. It is hoped that this will further develop the ‘work hard, play hard’ culture and shows the company’s desire to reward staff for their hard work and kick back and see each other outside of the workplace.
I think there are career advancement opportunities across the board at AWP. I myself have worked from a graduate up to a chartered surveyor and would like to advance further if and when the opportunity arises. The company has a longstanding apprenticeship scheme whereby a lot of the young staff members have stayed beyond their initial study and apprenticeship period to become long serving members of staff and this is down to both the financial support and time provided by the company to allow staff to study and progress alongside their normal day-to-day roles.
A couple of main projects that stick out to me are community-based projects for Hull Minster and St Paul’s Boxing Academy. Whilst the work itself was varied and interesting (it is not very often you get to work on a 13th century building), both had an underlying theme of a group of good, local people, most of which were volunteers, making a positive impact on the city.
The boxing club is the largest outside of London and its refurbishment has allowed numbers to grow, as well as increase its reach to disabled and school groups due to its modernised facilities and new lift access.
The work done at the Minster has allowed it to have a wider reach in terms of community projects held in and around the Minster. The modernised facilities have allowed it to become more self-sufficient which is pivotal for its long-term existence.
Lisa Tallant
Structural Engineer
Hull
I studied Civil & Structural Engineering MEng at Sheffield University and graduated in 2017. I went on to work for a small firm in Macclesfield, Cheshire. The firm had four engineers and worked mostly on domestic jobs. I moved to East Yorkshire in December 2020 with the intention to get a new job with more variety. I began working at AWP in January 2021 and have been here ever since.
I gained my integrated Master’s degree from Sheffield in 2017.
AWP have sponsored my Institute of Structural Engineering Chartership Exam Preparation course at Leeds Beckett, run by the Yorkshire & Humber branch of IStructE.
Throughout my ongoing route to chartership I received lots of support from senior members of the team who are always happy to help with the prep. Phil Edkins has acted as a mentor proof reading and commenting on my Initial Professional Development forms. There is always a senior engineer, director or associate available to answer any queries I’ve had throughout the process.
The course ran one evening a week for 10 weeks and covered the important aspects for sitting the IStructE Chartership Exam.
All done with studying!
My current role involves working on a vast range of projects in a range of sectors, including healthcare, education and industrial. On a daily basis, I undertake the design of steel, concrete and timber structures. On larger projects I work within a team of experienced technicians and manage the production of drawings. I am also lead point in design team meetings and manage both the invoicing and fee proposals on many of my projects. I attend site on a regular basis to appraise the existing structure, assess construction progress and provide advice to clients.
When I moved to Hull I interviewed at several local companies. At AWP the interview panel seemed very enthusiastic, I was interviewed by two directors, and they seemed very down to earth and relatable, which made me confident it would be a work place I would fit in to. The firm works on such a variety of interesting projects including modern methods of construction, there is no chance to get bored as no two projects are the same.
Within the office there is an atmosphere of support and learning. Regularly an engineer will have an obstacle within a project and the whole team will work together, drawing on the variety of experience within the office to solve the problem. It’s occasions like this I feel like I learn the most. We also have regular lunchtime Continual Professional Development seminars.
I make the most of our flexible working which allows me to leave at 3pm on Fridays. This is great to make the most of the summer sun or when you’re heading off for a weekend away. We also have the option to purchase additional holidays which allowed me to go for a longer trip to Japan in 2023.
I’ve found that management are very supportive of individual personal development. I’ve felt supported all the way through my chartership. They’re also approachable and easy to speak to if you do have any issues or questions.
We have a social fund and committee that regularly arranges fully funded meals, bowling, and other activities. We also have a staff day to Beverley Races every summer with all the offices, which is the highlight of the year!
The culture at AWP is extremely friendly, even across offices. If you need advice from one of the other teams based in a different office (civils, geo, surveying) there is always someone at the other end of the phone to answer your questions.
Most people work in the office on a day-to-day basis which is really good for learning and collaborating, as well as the more social aspects. It’s very much a team atmosphere.
There are opportunities for volunteering/stem outreach, we get two paid days to pursue STEM outreach in schools, as well as working closely with the local technical college.
I am currently working towards my Chartership and the role of Senior Engineer. The support is always available if you ask for it. In every annual appraisal that I have asked for more responsibility, it has been given to me. I am currently running point on a £28m project which has been a really rewarding experience. I feel there is real opportunity for me to grow at AWP, and I look forward to seeing what the future brings.
I have really enjoyed helping train new graduates and ensuring they feel confident in their own knowledge and know there are no stupid questions.
Taking part in an Institution of Civil Engineering Stem Day at a local primary school, where we helped the students build a scale model of a Bailey Bridge was a fantastic experience. This involved teaching the students about Bailey Bridges, simple skills and teamwork.
Another standout experience was standing in the completed steel warehouse at one of my major projects for Stihl GB. There was something really rewarding about seeing the structure in real life, in three dimensions and not just photographs or on the computer model. It brought to a close over 18 months of hard work on the project.
Bradley Marshall
Civil Structural Undergraduate Engineer
Scarborough
Whilst in the sixth form I completed some work experience at AWP which I thoroughly enjoyed which this gave me a real insight into the company. This opportunity followed with a job offer upon completion of my studies, through AWP’s ‘Grow Your Own’ apprenticeship scheme, which I was delighted to accept.
At college I achieved two Distinction Stars and a Distinction in Manufacturing & Automation Engineering. Following this, I started my apprenticeship at AWP which involved doing a Level 3 in Construction in the Built Environment at York College one day a week. This improved the breadth of my knowledge whilst providing me with hands-on experience in the office.
AWP sponsored and supported me for two years during my Level 3 Construction in the Built Environment course at York College. Having achieved two Distinction Stars in this course, I commenced my Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering at university, once again, one day a week.
I am now in the third year of my degree. I have regular reviews with my AWP mentor meaning I have support every step of the way. Alongside my degree, I am working towards achieving my Incorporated Engineer status (IEng) which will put me in a favorable position to achieve my Civil Engineering Chartership, in the near future.
My role at AWP is extremely diverse; my day-to-day involves me designing anything from the foundations of a 6-storey building along with the steel to support the entire structure, to a small-scale home improvement project where the dining room and kitchen become an open plan kitchen-diner. The job variation working here is a huge positive as I can essentially design anything from foundations or drainage to the structure itself. Due to an increased level of responsibility, I have begun to lead my own projects at increased scale, meaning I get the opportunity to interact directly with clients and other subcontractors, working with them to successfully deliver multi-million-pound projects. I have taken on more leadership responsibilities that include assisting with apprentices in the company and strategically delegating tasks on projects to other team members.
Once I identified I wanted to become a civil & structural engineer I knew I needed to secure a position whereby I had a variety of tasks and responsibilities. AWP were able to provide me with that because it’s a well-established company with several offices in major cities and has a wide customer base. From my work experience I observed how organised and how well the team worked together to achieve the end goal. I believed I would fit in well.
Working as part of a small office means we’re a very tight-knit team which I personally love.
Team building outside of worktime is actively encouraged with the provision of a social fund. Such activities have included a bongo bingo night and group meals. As an avid football fan, I can use the AWP employee benefits portal to save money on such things as hotels and public transport. Management takes an interest in the self-development and well-being of the staff.
I look forward to coming to work to see the team, learning collaborating and developing. But when I am at work, I really must work hard to deliver on the responsibilities and opportunities that have been provided to me. As a determined person, who really wants to push myself, I love this and would recommend it to others.
I feel that there is real opportunity for me to develop at AWP. The company shares my desire to obtain my BEng Degree and become a chartered engineer. They support me with on-the-job experience and by giving me increased responsibility on larger projects. They also provide me with a mentor and my colleagues are always happy to pass on their wisdom and experience.
The sense of accomplishment of owning a project end-to-end is unparalleled, whether it is a drive through Starbucks or a multimillion-pound hospital, the feeling never changes. Although it’s hard to pick one, the development at James Cook Hospital really stands out personally, as the complexity and constraints facilitated my development as an engineer.
For me, the apprenticeships scheme suited me better than full time university. Building up hands on experience from day one has accelerated my ability to develop through the company and I am quite relieved to have no university debt. I highly recommend apprenticeships with AWP and I will be eternally grateful to AWP for the support and opportunities they have provided me with.