NEWS
Our Tranformation Journey
Following the announcement of Stork UK being acquired by Altrad on the 1st of February 2025, we would like to thank you for your support and effort over the past couple of months. Your help has been invaluable and we appreciate the way everyone has really embraced the start of the transformation process.
Stronger Together, Safer Together:
Moving forward, our combined capabilities and resources will form a cohesive team equipped with the expertise, enthusiasm and creativity needed to drive our business, all while maintaining our award-winning employee engagement culture through DRIVE and well-established Safer Together ethos.
This unified team will offer an impressive range of services across various sectors and brings many benefits to all of our stakeholders:
• Our people will be empowered to collaboratively cultivate a diverse and inclusive environment that fosters career growth opportunities throughout all aspects of our wider organisation.
• The acquisition presents our clients with an opportunity to prepare for future obstacles, explore fresh, innovative approaches to problem-solving and expand on the services they receive from us.
To introduce the sale and showcase a brand transformation, we have created a dual identity for Altrad and Stork UK with the tagline “Stronger & Safer Together.”
This honours our roots in Safer Together while preparing for internal changes.
A complete rebranding process is planned, but until then please continue using existing templates featuring only the standalone Stork logo.
To ensure that everyone stays informed and receives timely updates, you will continue to receive regular communications along with our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document. This document is dynamic and will be updated as new questions are raised.
If you or any members of your team have any queries or feedback, please don’t hesitate to contact your employee representative, human resources advisor, project focal point, supervisor, or manager. You can also reach out via email at employeecommunications@stork.com.
Alfie’s Journey
Alfie Foxton-Smith, Project Engineer and NDT level 3 Subject Matter Expert based in Teesside, recently featured in The Offshore Energies UK’s People of Energy Series.
Alfie’s story not only showcases his remarkable journey in the Inspection & Non-Destructive Testing industry and his impactful contributions, but also highlights the incredible CSR initiatives he’s led with the support of his wider team, making a positive difference throughout our communities.
It’s inspiring to see our team members recognised for their efforts in shaping the industry and giving back to the local areas where we operate.
Click here to read the full article.
Meet Our Newly Qualified Apprentices
In February, we celebrated National Apprenticeship Week. We take great pride in witnessing our talented apprentices progress in their careers, showing exceptional commitment, dedication and skills development; all of which are essential for excelling in their roles.
Our recently qualified apprentices:
• Calum Wyllie, Rope Access Insulator - Harbour
• Jamie Shingler, Rope Access Equipment Storeman –Aberdeen Base Facility
• Dylan Griggs, Integrity Services Base Technician –Aberdeen
Congratulations to all of you for your hard work! We look forward to witnessing your ongoing professional growth.
Jamie Shingler
Dylan Griggs Development Recognition Inclusion Voice Engagement Key
Striving for Success – Apache Contract Team
We spoke with Mark McGrotty, Contract Delivery Manager on our Apache Contract to find out more about the team and their initiatives. Mark shared his pride in the overall success of the Apache team and complimented the entire workforce for their efforts to ensure safety standards are improving, morale is high with consistently excellent work standards.
How are the team achieving safety success:
In the first year of the safety competition, the Forties Bravo team stole the show and put in an excellent performance to secure 1st place. Now into the second year the tables were reset and each asset given an opportunity to showcase their dedication to safety performance. We observed enhanced engagement from all assets, with Forties Delta emerging as the winner after previously securing 3rd place.
This showcases the positive influence of our safety competition across all Apache assets, motivating teammates to excel by tapping into their competitive spirit. Moreover, this initiative has extended its benefits beyond internal teams, as the winning asset receives a donation for a charity of their selection, with the Forties Delta team donating their winnings to Children’s Hospice Across Scotland (CHAS). This presents a valuable opportunity for diverse beneficiaries that may hold personal significance for the platform that clinched victory in the competition.
Engagement across the Apache Team:
Overall, Mark and the office-based team have focused on increasing engagement efforts by:
• Hosting safety calls, with ‘monthly guest speakers’ to discuss topics that are important to the offshore workforce, including insights to benefits available
• Listening to the teams and tailoring speakers accordingly
• Recognition of our team members through safer together and take the lead awards
• Coordinating supervisor visits to the office pre/ post trips for a coffee and a catch up
• Increasing the offshore visits
• Implementing a ‘camera on’ policy for meetings/ calls to try to increase the feeling of familiarity
Appreciating Our People
Employee Appreciation Day took place on the 7th of March, enabling us to say thank you and celebrate our people’s continued efforts and drive to make our business a success! To celebrate the occasion, our Compensation & Benefits team organised a random draw where all employees were automatically entered and 120 lucky winners were selected to receive a prize from Huggg.
Congratulations to all the winners and our top 3, who each took home a prize worth £125:
• Chloe Baxter - Industrial and Mechanical Administrator
• Conor McConville - Scafolder
• Stuart Gilfillan - Site Manager Conoco Phillips
Scottish Widows Webinars
Did you know Scottish Widows run a series of webinars throughout the year, covering a wide range of topics to help you make the most of your workplace pension and support your overall financial wellbeing.
Keep an eye on the Retirewell portal for webinars throughout the year and to access recordings of sessions already hosted.
Upcoming sessions
• 16th April - Retirement planning
• 14th May - Be well money
• 11th June - Passing on your pension
Scottish Forces in Business Awards
We were thrilled to see our very own Callum Buchan, Asset Integrity Trainee Technician, shortlisted within the ‘Service Leaver of the Year’ category at the 2025 Scottish Forces in Business Awards. This category recognised ex-forces personnel who left the military less than three years ago and, through an effective transition, are already achieving great things in a second career.
Whilst Callum did not take home the overall win on the evening we are exceptionally proud of everything Callum has achieved to date and look forward to watching his career advancement.
Left to right: Robert Taylor, Callum Buchan and Barry Cain
Members of the Forties Delta team
Benefits Spotlight: Your Opinion
We are constantly striving to enhance our services on the YourBenefits platform and make sure you can easily access and utilise it. Our benefits team recently carried out a survey to gather your feedback, here are the results:
Do you find the YourBenefits Platform easy to use?
Do you find the YourBenefits Platform easy to access
Do you find the SmartTech scheme easy to apply for?
SmartTech scheme feedback:
“The Tech Voucher scheme is brilliant. It allows you to spread the cost over a 12-month period making expensive purchases more manageable. I have used this for the last few years for things like household appliances to newest gaming systems and phones. It is especially handy for the November window that helps with those costly Christmas presents.”
Need support in accessing the platform? The team are here to help!
We are aware the Multi Factor Authentication (MFA) has caused some challenges in accessing the platform. The MFA is in place to protect your personal data therefore is an important security measure however we are here to help! If you are having issues, please request a copy of the ‘how to log in’ document by contacting the Benefits Team.
Silver Take the Lead Spotlight Award
Wayne Taylor, HSEQ Manager – England nominated Liam Stringfellow, Plant Inspection Engineer on the Essar Contract for a Take the Lead Award.
Liam’s role as a Plant Inspector is the main part of the invaluable contribution he makes to the team. Liam goes above and beyond, taking on additional responsibilities as an Employee Representative, Safety Representative and key administrator, all while ensuring the team has everything that they need to carry out their tasks safely and efficiently.
His proactive approach, attention to detail and willingness to step up whenever needed do not go unnoticed. Liam is a true asset to the team, consistently demonstrating leadership, reliability and a strong commitment to excellence. Thank you for your hard work and dedication.
#AccelerateAction International Woman’s Day
In alignment with this year’s International Women’s Day theme, we hosted a roundtable discussion with key influencers and representatives from across the business to discuss:
• How we can accelerate action for gender equality
• Commitments we can make to increase our inclusive workplace efforts
• The benefits a diverse workforce brings
• Focus areas for 2025 and beyond Katherine Webster, People & Culture Manager, shared: “The engagement and energy in the room was truly inspiring. Each team member contributed their viewpoints and actively engaged in evaluating and improving our initiatives emphasising our commitment to fostering an inclusive environment with equal opportunities for all”
Offshore Achievement Awards: Inclusivity Champion Category Winners!
Stork emerged victorious at the Offshore Achievement Awards. The event, which took place on Thursday 13th of March, recognising exceptional accomplishments within the energy sector, culminating in a prestigious ceremony at P&J Live in Aberdeen.
Why did we take home the win?
The ‘Inclusivity Champion’ award recognised leadership by either a company, team or individual, who has been exceptionally proactive in demonstrating diversity, equity and inclusivity in the offshore energy sector.
The acknowledgment we received at this year’s ceremony is a remarkable achievement that symbolises our unwavering dedication and hard work over the past five years. It serves as a testament to our continuous efforts in creating an inclusive culture where every team member feels valued, respected and empowered. This milestone not only celebrates our progress but also motivates us to strive for even greater heights in promoting diversity, equality and collaboration throughout our organisation.
Charity Dance for BloodRun EVS
Michael Hodgson, Senior Inspection Engineer, demonstrated his dedication to CSR by organising and hosting a charity dance to support the BloodRun EVS, ConocoPhillips’ chosen charity. The event successfully raised £140, equivalent to saving 28 lives as every £5 of fuel contributes to saving a life. Congratulations to Michael and the team for their outstanding efforts in making a positive impact through this initiative.
Energy Vocations: Celebrating 30 Years
The oil and gas sector is often described as having a ‘transient workforce’, but one man, Mick Gillespie, has remained with the same vessel since its sailaway in 1996.
Having worked in the offshore industry for 42 years, his background is in scaffolding and he is part of a small, multi-disciplined services team onboard the Anasuria FPSO.
In collaboration with our client, Anasuria Operating Company Limited, Mick was recently featured in an Energy Voice article recognising his 30 years of service with Stork and on board the Anasuria FPSO, having joined construction as the vessel’s topsides were being installed.
He has witnessed the vessel change hands from Shell to its current operator, the Anasuria Operating Company (AOC), as industry and societal perceptions of oil and gas have shifted.
During his career, Mick has received many internal recognitions, however the highlights include in 2021, the firm’s core team receiving acknowledgment at our Annual Safer Together Awards for being finalists in the We Care category.
Additionally, he went on to again be shortlisted in 2023 under the We Protect category and ultimately emerged as a winner at our Annual Safer Together Awards. This achievement acknowledged his outstanding safety performance and proactive approach to incident prevention and enhancement.
According to AOC, he is regarded as a leader among peers and has shown a continuous commitment to safety.
Stuart Strachan, Business Unit Manager for Stork, commented: “Mick embodies the behaviours that Stork expects from its leaders. Throughout the years, Mick has been recognised with numerous awards through our recognition initiatives and HSEQ programme, Safer Together. These accolades and acknowledgements underscore his dedication not only to ensuring the safe execution of his own work and the well-being of his team members, but also to safeguarding other work areas and personnel on-board the asset, including those on support vessels.”
Click here to read the full Energy Voice article.
Michael Hodgson (centre) with charity dancers
Meet our New CSR Team Lead
At the end of 2024, we initiated our search for a new regional CSR Team Lead and in January, Emma Stewart, Communications & Marketing Executive took over the position.
Emma has been an active member of the Community Involvement Group (CIG) since 2022, enhancing our collaborations with charities throughout the UK. Her excellent rapport with colleagues across all our locations, proactive community engagement and desire to assist others positions her as a fitting choice for this leadership role within the CSR team.
Emma commented, “I’ve always been passionate about helping others and this position gives me the chance to extend my support to both our local communities and my teammates.
E-Obs - Online Observation Cards
Upcycling for Charity
Our scaffolding team is dedicated to maximising the utilisation of scaffolding boards even after they are no longer needed. This project initially focused on recycling but has transitioned into an upcycling campaign led by our scaffolding manager, Joe McGunnigle.
Working with Glasgow Wood, a charity who provide training and volunteer opportunities for those in the community, the scaffolding boards have been repurposed into outdoor benches. These have since been delivered to our Aberdeen chosen charity, Clan Cancer Support.
A further 3 benches will be delivered to local care homes over the next month.
We recently launched E-Obs, a new online observation card system developed by Step Change in Safety. E-Obs is an electronic platform tailored for the workforce to log safety issues and showcase instances of exemplary safety measures. This system is crafted to boost productivity and communication, simplifying the process of sharing and dealing with HSEQ observations promptly and efficiently.
To learn more about E-Obs and its benefits, take a look at this short video
Outstanding Improvement in Safety
The Stork Easington Team has reached a notable milestone by boosting the number of observations submitted in 2024 by almost 110% compared to the previous year. This achievement highlights the team’s strong dedication to safety and ongoing enhancement efforts.
The success in promoting our observation system, encouraging submissions, and effectively communicating its purpose have all played key roles in this accomplishment. The active participation of each team member has been crucial to this success.
It is crucial to emphasise the significant enhancement in audit contributions this year. The completed self-verifications have notably risen from 12 in 2023 to 54 in 2024, showcasing a remarkable 350% increase. This outstanding accomplishment deserves acknowledgment.
We want to showcase the outstanding work of the Easington Team to inspire everyone to continue and improve their contributions in the coming year.
Jack Bruce and Joe McGunnigle
