July 2025 newsletter
Welcome to the July edition of Marlborough Monthly, your regular update packed with the latest company news, employee information, and inspiring stories from across our organisation. In this edition we look more closely at the improvements being made to our depots, as well as the projects and initiatives we’ve recently delivered.
Taking action from your feedback
At Marlborough, our annual employee survey plays a vital role in shaping positive change. Every year, we carefully review your feedback and use it to inform meaningful improvements across the business. Many of Marlborough’s best changes have come directly from our people.
This culture of listening and learning has become a central part of who we are — not just because it helps us make Marlborough a better place to work, but because it allows us to deliver better work for our clients and the communities we serve. When people feel heard, they do their best work, and when teams work better together, everyone benefits.
That’s why we work hard to understand the challenges our people face, and the ideas they have for doing things differently. While our annual employee survey is a key part of this effort, Marlboroughs owners and directors have taken this initiative a step further by spending time on site with our operatives to get an even deeper insight.
Not long after this feedback was gathered, we took action by improving our various depots. These changes have resulted in the construction of a new breakout area at Codham, the introduction of a brighter office space and new break room at Garman, and repairs to the site’s existing welfare unit. Free sanitary products and fresh fruit are also now available at all locations.
Alongside these changes, we have also been making improvements to how our monthly employee recognition scheme works, with anyone now able to put a colleague forward for the £50 monthly prize draw. For more information, see page 12.
Freeling Street Pocket Park completed in Islington
Thanks to the efforts of our people, Freeling Street Pocket Park is now complete, transforming a once-underused road into a green space the whole community can enjoy.
Commissioned following the success of a temporary installation at the 2019 Cally Festival, the project has now been brough to life with new planters, street furniture and paving. New cobble setts were also installed alongside drainage to improve the long-term appeal and accessibility of the area.
A big thank you to everyone who played a part in delivering this fantastic community project. Work like this contributes to the London Borough of Islington’s long-term sustainabilty goals, and stands out as a brilliant example of how we take pride in everything we do.
Promoting safer sites with our supply chain partners
We recently welcomed representatives from A.J. O’Connor, astaunton, Valence and Loughlins to our first quarterly supply chain meeting -- a new initiative designed to strengthen collaboration and ensure consistent, safe delivery across our sites.
Attended by Matt Revell, Joe Revell, Will Blostone, Phil Hartley, Nick Reading, Mathew Nebu and Nula Krawczynski, the day offered space for open discussion and shared learning.
Volunteering spotlight
Great British Spring Clean
We took part in a litter pick along Southend-on-Sea’s beachfront as part of the Great British Spring Clean – a nationwide initiative focused on cleaning up communities across the UK. Our team collected a variety of waste, from straws to broken plastics, filling over five bags. Their efforts helped to improve both the appearance and hygiene of the coastline for residents and visitors. We also took part in tidy-ups in Islington and Barnet, and sponsored refreshments at Havering’s Romford Spring Clean.
A group of Marlborough volunteers spent their day at Cody Dock -- a former industrial site that’s being transformed through community-led regeneration. During their time at the site, Paul Brown and Ronald Kerr got stuck into a variety of hands-on tasks, all of which helped improve this important space for the benefit of people living across the London Borough of Newham. The dedication and enthusiasm shown by everyone involved truly reflects Marlborough Highways’ ongoing commitment to giving back. This initiative is a great example of what can be achieved when we come together with a shared purpose. Cody Dock
Chestnuts Park Fest
Our people volunteered their time recently to support Chestnuts Park Fest -- a free summer get-together hosted by Bridge Renewal Trust for people in the London Borough of Haringey. Volunteers supported the event from start to finish: helping set up, marshalling visitors, providing information, and packing down at the end of the day -- all to help raise money for a cause that improves the health and wellbeing of the community.
£84,790.12
Volunteering spotlight - latest initiatives Volunteering spotlight - our volunteers
To mark Volunteers’ Week, we shone a spotlight on the inspiring ways Marlborough colleagues gave their time to support communities and causes close to their hearts. From helping to create a 10,000-tree woodland in Havering, to wrapping Christmas gifts for children in Barnet, preparing food parcels in Camden, and supporting conservation efforts in Haringey, our people continue to make a real and lasting difference. As the week came to a close, we shared reflections from Jamie Bird, Jessica Sawyer, Paul Haggerty and Ellie Knox – each offering a glimpse into the unique experiences and meaningful impact made possible through volunteering.
Volunteering spotlight - get involved
Volunteering is not only a meaningful way to give back to the community, but it also offers opportunities for personal and professional growth. Getting involved is straightforward, with opportunities organised by Marlborough’s Social Value team and shared via QUEST News.
If a volunteering opportunity catches your interest – or if you’d like to arrange your own – simply submit a volunteering request via the Holiday and Absence app on QUEST, following approval from your line manager. The Social Value team will then be notified and will get in touch to confirm your participation.
Learn more about our volunteering opportunities
Tapestry Food Parcel Initiative
Date: August 13th 2025
Location: Inskip Drive, Hornchurch
Home-Start Camden & Islington
Date: August 12th 2025
Location: 7 Downey Close, Camden
Hackney City Farm Food Hub
Location: Hackney City Farm, Hackney
Lace up for London
Date: October 11th 2025
Location: Regent’s Park, Camden
London Poppy Day
Date: October 30th 2025
Location: London
Better Transport Week
Better Transport Week is an annual awareness campaign in the UK, organised by the charity Campaign for Better Transport. It celebrates and promotes sustainable, accessible, and inclusive transit options — such as public transport, walking, and cycling — while encouraging individuals, businesses, and policymakers to reduce reliance on cars and improve the overall transport system. It aligns closely with Marlborough’s commitment to building more sustainable, accessible, and future-ready infrastructure across London, Essex and beyond. As a highways and civil engineering specialist, Marlborough plays a key role in shaping the transport networks people rely on every day, including safer walking and cycling routes.
Beckton Walking and Cycling scheme
Over the past six months, our people in the London Borough of Newham have been hard at work delivering the Beckton Walking and Cycling project – a scheme designed to regenerate this corridor for active travel. Delivered in close partnership with Newham Council, the project includes a new dual footway and cycleway, alongside clearance works to cut back the tree line and create a brighter, more open environment. The scheme will also feature new multi-use gym areas along the route, giving residents space to stay active outdoors.
Cycleway 23
Working in close partnership with the London Borough of Hackney and Transport for London, we proudly delivered Cycleway 23 last year — a dedicated cycling route linking Dalston to Lea Bridge with safer, greener and more connected infrastructure. Completed in February 2024, the scheme features segregated cycle lanes, new crossings and low-level planting to make walking and cycling more attractive and accessible. Since opening, it has supported active travel, improved air quality and contributed to healthier communities.
More zero-emission vehicles join our fleet
For Better Transport Week, we celebrated the growth of our electric vehicle fleet with the delivery of five new Volkswagen ID Buzz vans. Now operating 22 zeroemission vehicles across our contract areas, we’re improving air quality and reducing our environmental impact. This ongoing investment supports our ambitious carbon reduction targets and demonstrates our commitment to maintaining a modern, efficient fleet— equipping our operatives with the tools they need to work safely and deliver quality on every project.
Positive feedback for resurfacing works in Havering
As part of our commitment to improving journeys across the London Borough of Havering, we recently resurfaced Dorian Road, a residential street in need of repairs.
Following completion of this project, our team received glowing feedback, highlighting the professionalism of our operatives as well as their clear communication and friendly, respectful attitude on site.
Well done to Chris Given, Dave Parker and his gang, as well as the Planing, TM and Road Marking divisions involved. This kind of response is a direct reflection of the pride we take in everything we do.
““We have just had our road resurfaced. Between your team, you have been so professional from start to finish. We had plenty of information before they started, and the team continually swept any over flow and were polite and friendly.”
Resident, Dorian Road
London Borough of Havering
Residents praise our people in Haringey
Our people have received fantastic resident feedback for their ongoing work delivering footway improvements on Woodland Gardens in the London Borough of Haringey.
Despite the recent hot weather, our operatives have continued to impress local residents with their positive attitude, excellent organisation and high-quality work.
Our thanks to everyone involved -- comments like this demonstrate how much pride we take in everything we do, acting safely and upholding high standards every step of the way.
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“The team of road workers currently renovating the lengthy pavement on Woodland Gardens in the blistering heatwave are doing an excellent job. They are all working really hard and have been unfailingly well-organised, responsive and polite. Although the job is not yet complete, the pavements are looking much smarter day by day. So: credit where credit is due!”
Resident, Woodland Gardens
London Borough of Haringey
Volunteering spotlight - latest initiatives Greenwich councillors visit Earl Rise resurfacing works
Our people in the Royal Borough of Greenwich have been hard at work resurfacing Earl Rise as part of the council’s £1.8 million investment into local roads and pavements.
Councillors Adel Khaireh and Jit Ranabhat visited the site to see the progress for themselves and hear more about the improvements we’re helping deliver across the borough.
Thanks to everyone involved in ensuring the visit went smoothly. It’s great to see our work in action and a brilliant example of our value we take pride in everything we do.
Barnet Hill resurfacing project scores high in health & safety audit
The resurfacing project on Barnet Hill we delivered in the London Borough of Barnet recently received an outstanding 98% rating from the authority’s Safety, Health & Wellbeing team.
The audit, which was unannounced, reviewed everything from traffic management and PPE to welfare, first aid and fire safety arrangements. The borough’s QSHE Manager, Pat Gavin, was impressed with the efforts of our people and praised the site’s overall compliance.
Congratulations to Supervisor Paul Gosling, Bradley Madigan’s surfacing gang, and all the TM operatives, planing crew, and tipper drivers involved. This result is a clear reflection of the pride we take in everything we do, and the high standards we uphold at all times.
Proud to be members of the Considerate Constructors Scheme (CCS)
Marlborough Highways are proud to be members of the Considerate Constructors Scheme (CCS).
That means we’re committed to upholding the Code of Considerate Practice -- a framework to elevate standards and build trust between our people and the communities we serve. As a CCS contractor:
1. We respect the community by being courteous, reducing disturbances and engaging meaningfully with local residents -- creating safe environments and ensuring construction activities don’t become a nuisance.
2. We care for the environment by prioritising ecological concerns, reducing our carbon footprint, and enhancing local surroundings through thoughtful engagement.
3. We value our people by creating a healthy, inclusive and secure workplace. We work hard to promote diversity, support mental wellbeing, and create clean, hazard-free working conditions.
Whether large or small, urban or rural, every site we operate is held to the same high standards — a reflection of the pride we take in our work and the positive impact we strive to make.
Supporting Southend with essential gully cleansing
We’re proud to have taken on a vital new service in Southend-on-Sea: gully cleansing across the city.
Keeping gullies clear of debris helps prevent surface water flooding, protects roads and footways, and keeps Southend moving -- particularly important in a coastal city vulnerable to heavy rainfall and storm surges.
This new service forms part of our ongoing commitment to delivering a safe, resilient highway network for residents, visitors, and businesses. It also reflects the trust Southend-on-Sea City Council places in Marlborough to deliver high-quality, dependable services that make a real difference in the community.
Our penguin has landed – Waddle on Sea officially begins!
Earlier in July, the Waddle on Sea art trail officially launched – and Marlborough are proud to be one of the sponsors behind this event, helping raise money for Havens Hospices.
If you’re heading to Southend-on-Sea this summer, be sure to keep an eye out for our very own painted penguin, perched near Pier Hill Lift. It’s one of over 100 colourful sculptures dotted across the city, all helping to raise awareness and funds for this vital charity.
Waddling together to make a difference
A few weeks ago, a team of Marlborough colleagues took on the Ultimate Penguin Trek -- a walk across Southendon-Sea to raise money for local charity Havens Hospices.
The route was part of the newly launched Waddle on Sea art trail, which features more than 100 colourful penguins across the city including Wonder, Marlborough’s own sponsored sculpture near Pier Hill Lift.
Thanks to the generosity of people both in and outside the business, we raised £1020. These essential funds will help support individuals with incurable conditions alongside their families.
Thank you to Anna Wilson, Nick Reading, Ellie Knox, Tom Hatton, Nula Krawczynski, Kim Mills, Joanna Marshall, Kate Campbell, Paul Perry and Sam Rose for taking part.
This event is a great reminder of the impact we can make together, and a perfect example of our value in action: We have spirit.
Highways Awards Finalists
After a rigorous judging process, we’re proud to share that Marlborough has been shortlisted in three categories at this year’s Highways Awards:
1. Active Travel Scheme of the Year rewards projects with novel innovation and design. Our work delivering Cycleway 23 in the London Borough of Hackney drew the attention of judges for its overall quality and impact.
2. Small Project of the Year is an award that celebrates limited-scope projects delivered under £10m. Our carefully planned improvements at Clerkenwell Green in the London Borough of Islington earned us a shortlist in this category.
3. Highway Partnership acknowledges firms that demonstrate a collaborative approach that benefits local communities. Here, our long-standing partnership with Hackney Council impressed the panel.
The Highways Awards Ceremony and Gala Dinner will be held in September -- we look forward to sharing the results with you.
Apprenticeship success stories
Congratulations to Jenu Sebastian, our Digitalisation Coordinator, for successfully completing his Level 4 Data Analyst Apprenticeship with a Distinction from BCS, the Chartered Institute for IT.
This achievement now sits alongside his Level 6 qualification in Electronics and Communications Engineering, and is a testament to his varied set of skills.
Well done again Jenu, and thank you to everyone who has supported this brilliant achievement along the way.
We’re pleased to share that Katie Herron, our Marketing and Events Assistant, recently achieved a Distinction in her Level 3 Marketing Assistant Apprenticeship.
Since joining Marlborough, Katie continues to grow in the role, consistently developing her skills.
We’re excited to see how she will continue to build on everything she’s learned. Congratulations to Katie on this well-deserved success.
Three years of commitment to traffic management excellence
Marlborough are also proud to confirm that we have now renewed our membership to the Traffic Management Contractors Association (TMCA) for a third consecutive year.
As a trade association for traffic management, the TMCA sets the benchmark for safety, sustainability, social value and innovation -- standards we remain committed to upholding across every project.
We’re recruiting a Pedestrian Marshall
Type: Full Time
Purpose of role
Location: Codham depot, Brentwood
Required experience
We’re on the lookout for Pedestrian Marshalls to support our surfacing gangs across multiple projects.
Successful applicants will get the training they need to safely guide pedestrians around active work zones, among other duties.
Know someone who’d be a great fit for Marlborough?
We’re always on the lookout for the best talent -- and you can help us find them. From site-based operatives to officebased professionals, we offer a wide array of opportunities across the business, and welcome people from all walks of life.
If you think you know someone who’d be a great addition to the Marlborough team, encourage them to apply and make sure they mention your name in their application. If they’re successful and pass their probation, you’ll receive a £100 gift voucher.
Want to learn more or put a friend forward? Explore our opportunities
Monthly Prize Draw winner - June
We’re pleased to announce that Dan Binks was June’s lucky winner of the £50 One4All voucher.
Congratulations Dan, and well done to everyone who made and received a nomination in June.
Nominated by
Nominatee
Dennis Solomon Luke Clarke
Lauren Landers
Lauren Landers
Lauren Landers
Lauren Landers
Fiona Cummings
Dan Binks
Jamie Binks
Matt Binks
Ricky Liles
Andy Houchin
Mathew Nebu Nuradin Abdulle
Mathew Nebu
Mathew Nebu
Mathew Nebu
Martin Gillingham
Libu Abraham
Fiona Cummings
Alfie King
Paul Perry
Winner: Dan Binks
Employee recognition – nominations now open to everyone
One of the things you told us in the employee survey was that recognition matters – and that you’d like great work to be more visible across the business.
We’ve listened – and as a result, we’re making some changes to how our monthly employee recognition works. From Friday 1st August, anyone can now nominate a colleague. So if someone has done a great job, gone the extra mile or just made a real difference to your day, we want to hear about it.
All nominations will be reviewed and then entered into our monthly £50 prize draw – and one winner will be picked at random by our Managing Director, Matthew Revell.
But we’re also going one step further. From September, every nomination will be shared at our monthly Senior Leadership Team (SLT) meeting – giving visibility to the great work happening across the business. It’s also where we’ll be looking for standout nominations that deserves an extra mention.
This is just one more way we’re acting on your feedback and making sure we celebrate the people who help make Marlborough what it is.
Make a nomination today
Social value
Good health shouldn’t be a financial burden
From optician appointments to paid prescriptions, looking after your health can be expensive.
To manage these everyday costs, Health Shield is a powerful tool. Easy to use and available to Marlborough employees for free, this helpful service helps you claim back money spent on medical treatments, appointments and more.
With discounts, counselling services and wellbeing tools also included, Health Shield is an excellent benefit, no matter where in Marlborough you work or what your individual circumstances are.
We know people matter, and this is just one of the many ways we deliver on that core value.
