“Welcome to Marlborough Highways’ new magazine, which aims to showcase the outstanding work that our people deliver across London and the South East, with insightful articles, project case studies, company news, updates on our key sustainability efforts, and information about our important social value initiatives.
“It is an exciting time for our organisation, and I am enormously proud of Marlborough’s talented and diverse workforce. Despite the challenges posed by current inflation levels, high energy prices, increased material costs, and uncertainty surrounding public investment in infrastructure, our company has continued to thrive and expand. In 2022, as we celebrated our 30-year anniversary, Marlborough secured new contracts in the London Boroughs of Islington and Newham, and we have just commenced major works in the London Borough of Camden, which is a significant milestone for our business.
“Marlborough has ambitious plans for growth, including further expansion in London and beyond. However, we recognise that the road ahead will not be without obstacles, with increasing pressures on Britain’s transport networks and the need to protect the environment greater than ever. With a determination to rise to every challenge, Marlborough Highways News will focus on our efforts to embrace new technology, to diversify our supply chain, and to operate in a responsible, innovative, and ever more environmentally conscious way. We believe that it is through these efforts that Marlborough will help to deliver the greener, cleaner, and more inclusive communities that our society deserves.
“Our new magazine provides us with an opportunity to share what we are doing across all our contracts, with a focus on our people, community involvement, green initiatives, health and safety endeavours and innovation. As we move forward into a new era, we look forward to sharing our journey with you and to showcasing the positive impacts that our people continue to deliver.”
Matthew Revell, Managing Director, Marlborough Highways
Marlborough is dedicated to supporting the community in which it is head quartered, and the communities in which it operates, through the provision of quality training and local employment opportunities
The Red Star Awards recognised Marlborough’s people and provided an opportunity to celebrate in the company’s shared success
Last Summer, Marlborough was awarded the £32m Term Service Highway Works Contract by Islington Council after a competitive bid process. The five-year Contract, which is valued at approximately £4.57 million per annum, began on 1 July 2022, with the option of a two-year extension at the end of the period.
The extensive scope of services includes carriageway resurfacing and road markings works, footway reconditioning schemes, repairs and replacements to highway structures, drainage maintenance, tree cutting, and a variety of civil engineering projects, including junction upgrades, the creation of new cycleways, and public realm improvements programmes.
Marlborough’s bid needed to provide excellent value, while demonstrating a clear vision for a greener, cleaner borough, in line with the Council’s ambitious commitment to reach Net Zero carbon emissions by 2030. Placing social values at the heart of its commitment, Marlborough is engaging with communities across Islington, working with local suppliers and prioritising the employment of residents.
Marlborough’s presence in seven other London boroughs, brings a huge amount of experience and expertise to Islington, with the company understanding the area’s transport priorities and sharing in the Council’s key objectives. Over the next five years, Marlborough will work hard to create a better environment for residents, visitors, and business owners, while continually improving the journey experience for road users and pedestrians.
Cllr Rowena Champion, Islington Council’s Executive Member for Environment, Air Quality and Transport, said: “We are committed to creating a cleaner and healthier borough through initiatives including peoplefriendly streets, School Streets, and greening. We have already taken great strides in creating a more environmentally-friendly, pleasant borough for local people, and we are working with Marlborough Highways to continue this positive progress.”
Matthew Revell, Marlborough’s Managing Director, said “We are thrilled to be working in the London Borough of Islington and are developing great relationships with Islington Council, local stakeholders and communities across the borough. Our dedicated team are proud to serve the people of this fantastic part of London, and with our in-depth knowledge, we are committed to creating a better environment for everyone to live, work and travel.”
Client feedback
“I would like to thank you for all your hard work and commitment in getting the Contract up to speed with regards to permitting and coordination, your knowledge and experience will assist us in reaching the performance levels we demand of all those who carry out works on the Islington network.”
Mark Wilson, Street Works Manager Islington Council
Marlborough is delighted to be working in partnership with Islington Council to deliver improvements to Clerkenwell Green’s public realm. Proposals to improve the Green were publicly consulted on in 2017, receiving support from 82% of respondents. The purpose of the scheme is to create a greener, safer and more pleasant space for local people, making it easier for them to walk, cycle and to use buggies and wheelchairs.
The works, which began in February 2023, will provide a larger area for local people to meet and gather, with an additional 1,700 square metres of public space created, representing a 68% increase in public space and a 51% reduction in road space. New trees, planting and seating will be introduced to encourage residents and visitors to stop and stay in the Green for longer. The scheme will also improve the setting for the area’s historic buildings and local landmarks, helping to showcase the community’s rich cultural heritage.
Marlborough’s team is engaging with residents and working with local businesses to ensure that any disruption is kept to a minimum during the period of works. They are also keeping the community informed by displaying information and responding to anyone with questions or concerns.
Marlborough’s team is engaging with residents and working with local businesses to ensure that any disruption is kept to a minimum during the period of works. They are also keeping the community informed by displaying information and responding to anyone with questions or concerns
• Improving air quality and making the area more pleasant by planting seven new trees and areas of new planting on the Green.
• Introducing new paved areas, and replacing some existing paving with new Yorkstone paving and granite setts.
• Making it easier to walk, cycle, and use buggies and wheelchairs by closing the junction of Clerkenwell Road and Clerkenwell Green to motor vehicles.
• Making the Green a less cardominated space by removing 42 parking spaces.
• Ensuring that more people can enjoy the historic environment by introducing four new benches.
• Relocating the bus stands from Clerkenwell Green to Farringdon Lane.
In every edition of Marlborough Highways News, we connect with different Marlborough employees in an interview feature called “Beyond the Road.” In this issue, we have the pleasure of speaking with Director’s Will Blostone and Joseph Revell, as well as our newest member of the leadership team and Commercial Director, Phil Hartley.
Will Blostone, Director
In 2022 Marlborough celebrated it’s 30-year anniversary. Can you tell us about the origins of the company and how it has evolved?
“Marlborough was founded by our Chairman John Woolf in 1992, combining a desire to build a company that offers more personal client relationships with better customer care. Family run, independent, and invested in the communities in which we serve, from its inception, Marlborough has been guided by a set of strong values that are as relevant today as they were 30 years ago. Always passionate about the safety and wellbeing of not just our employees, but all those with which we collaborate, it’s Marlborough’s culture of openness and integrity that has remained central to our success.
“I joined the company in 2007, and in that same year, after more than a decade of close collaboration, Marlborough combined forces with McDonald Highway Services, a street lighting and Highways Maintenance business that operated in Essex. Since then, our pace of growth has been rapid, establishing our first dedicated depot in 2008, before securing a £10 million+ Contract for infrastructure works in East London soon after.
“We were proud to support the construction of the London Olympic site in the years leading up to 2012, and during this time enlarged operations further, winning major contracts across the Capital. In 2015 we expanded beyond London, securing significant new longterm business in Southend-on-Sea, and later elsewhere in Essex and East Anglia.
“In 2018 we opened our brand-new headquarters, Woolf House in Chelmsford, Essex. Investing £4 million in the custom-built premises, it helped us to cement our status as one of the leading regional operators in the sector. The energy-efficient building benefits
from state-of-the-art facilities, including an onsite gym, dedicated training spaces, break-out rooms, electric vehicle charging points, and solar panels.
“Against the backdrop of the global pandemic, we stepped up to the challenge, by adapting operational procedures and going above and beyond to deliver for our clients. More major contract wins followed, and today Marlborough enjoys an annual turnover of approximately £90 million with an expert team of around 500 staff.
“In recognition of Marlborough’s landmark 30-year anniversary, employees from across the business were invited to a fantastic event at Chelmsford’s historic Boreham House in Essex last year. During the ‘Stand Down Day’ presentations were given by our management team, before guest speaker Jason Anker MBE delivered a powerful and inspirational talk, which explored his own unique and challenging journey.”
Tell us about your appointment as Commercial Director to Marlborough.
“I’m thrilled to be joining Marlborough at such an exciting time for both the company and the wider sector. It is in the Marlborough DNA to put people first and we care about all those that we interact with, whether it’s employees, clients or other stakeholders. With 35 years of experience in the Highways, Civil Engineering and Utility industries, I look forward to using my expertise and knowledge to help our people enhance commercial and operational efficiency, and to deliver exceptional client service. A personal intention is to give something back to the next cohort of aspiring and career driven individuals at Marlborough. I will be spending time coaching and mentoring colleagues both commercially and operationally to help them improve their professional skills and to progress within the business.”
What are Marlborough’s plans for the future and how does the company hope to expand and diversify?
“As we look ahead to the next 30 years and
Joseph Revell, DirectorTell us about the services your organisation offers and where the business currently operates.
“Marlborough is an established, independent, and dynamic civil engineering company with in-depth expertise in public realm, regeneration, and infrastructure projects. Our team has built a business around the needs of its clients, delivering surfacing, highway maintenance, road marking, traffic management, street lighting services, coastal engineering solutions and more. Our comprehensive in-house capability is our strength, which allows us to provide a complete service, spanning minor urban improvement schemes through to large scale construction programmes.
“Our teams operate throughout London and the South East, with major Term Maintenance Contracts (TMCs) in Southend-on-Sea and the London Boroughs of Hackney, Haringey, Havering, and Barking & Dagenham. In 2022, we were awarded new TMCs by Newham Council and Islington Council, and this year we have started work in the London Borough of Camden and in Harlow, with our dedicated Bids team committed to winning more business across the Capital and elsewhere. We also conduct operations in the London Boroughs of Enfield, Greenwich, and Brent, as well as in Rochford and Thurrock. In addition, we are a proud member of the Eastern Highways Alliance and the London Construction Programme (LCP) amongst others.”
“Our experienced Project Managers, specialist operatives, and dedicated in-house training team, provide us with the competitive edge. Their expertise allows Marlborough to operate more cost effectively and in an ever more sustainable way, helping us to deliver the
beyond, our team are excited for the future of Marlborough and the wider industry. We are proud of our hugely talented staff and are working hard to attract and support the next generation of highways professionals, which includes a growing apprenticeship programme. We want to recruit, develop, and retain a diverse and inclusive workforce that reflects the communities in which we serve, and we are passionate about creating a welcoming and nurturing environment where everybody feels valued.
“We have bold growth plans which includes further expansion in the Capital, the South East and beyond. Nevertheless, we acknowledge the challenges that lie ahead, such as mounting pressure on the UK’s transportation infrastructure and the need for improved environmental protection. Our team is resolved to confront these challenges by embracing cuttingedge technologies and by expanding and diversifying our supply chain. We are convinced that by conducting ourselves in a responsible, innovative, and sustainable manner, Marlborough can play a pivotal role in creating the cleaner and greener communities of the future.”
better roads, public spaces, and infrastructure projects that our towns, cities and rural communities need.
“The secret to our success is in remaining a close-knit organisation that feels like one big family, all working towards the same goals. We are lucky to have some of the most talented staff in the sector, with a team that supports each other and takes a collaborative approach. Marlborough values its people, and we care about those who we serve. Our flexible, inclusive, and open culture brings out the best in all of us.”
“The team did a really good job of resurfacing the section outside my home the other day. My house doesn’t vibrate anymore when large vehicles pass by!”
Resident, London Borough of Enfield
“A personal intention is to give something back to the next cohort of aspiring and career driven individuals at Marlborough.”
In April 2022, Marlborough secured a place on Lot 1 of the Planned Schemes and Planned Maintenance framework for the London Borough of Newham. Running for four years and valued at approximately £6 million per annum, the contract includes footway and carriageway resurfacing works, the delivery of traffic management schemes, the installation of Controlled Parking Zones, and the management of public realm improvements schemes. As part of its commitment to the people of Newham, Marlborough is prioritising local employment and is supporting the community through a range of meaningful social value initiatives.
“Thank you for the great work you do on Hotham Street, the path is now flatter and looks much better. Your employees are working quickly and doing a fantastic job, they are lovely people, even helping us to carry our shopping to our door. Thank you very much.”
Resident, London Borough of Newham
Marlborough is delighted to announce that it has been awarded a major highways Contract in the London Borough of Camden, becoming Camden Council’s principal contractor for works in the north of the borough.
Marlborough is delighted to announce that it has been awarded a major highways Contract in the London Borough of Camden, becoming Camden Council’s principal contractor for works in the north of the borough. The fiveyear Contract began on 1 April 2023 and is valued at approximately £5.6 million per annum, with an option to extend the partnership by a further three-years, bringing the total value to up to £45 million over the period.
The award comes after a competitive bid process, in which Camden Council divided its highways operations into distinct north and south geographical areas of responsibility, with Marlborough winning the ‘Public Realm Maintenance and Improvements’ Contract for works in the north of the borough. The zone comprises residential and commercial areas around Hampstead Heath and Waterlow Park, as well as roads and public spaces in the eclectic communities of Belsize Park, Chalk Farm and South Hampstead. Marlborough’s bid needed to provide excellent value, while demonstrating innovation and a clear vision for a greener, cleaner, and safer Camden.
Marlborough is conducting the new operations from its Garman Road depot, which is conveniently located just a few miles to the north of Camden in the London Borough of Haringey, and is home to a fleet of high-performance plant machinery and specialist Highways Maintenance vehicles. Marlborough’s dedicated Camden team is supported by staff from Marlborough’s head office in Chelmsford, Essex, with its accredited in-house training facilities and passionate Quality, Health, Safety and Environment division.
The Contract’s extensive scope of services includes the maintenance and improvement of public highways, Camden Council’s estate roads, and parks, with works spanning surfacing, traffic management, street lighting, road marking, public realm projects, and more.
In line with Camden Council’s ambitious Carbon Reduction Plan to go Net Zero by 2030, Marlborough’s Camden operations will produce Net Zero emissions for the entirety of the Contract.
Drawing on its diverse supply chain, Marlborough will use eco-friendly building materials and employ pioneering construction methods, ensuring projects are delivered sustainably and to the highest quality. Working with an independent consultancy, all schemes will be expertly assessed using a Carbon Footprint Calculator, with electric vehicles, biofuel powered plant, and renewable energy supplies amongst the green technology set to be deployed. Furthermore, Marlborough will divert 100% of Camden construction waste from landfill.
In addition to the public works, Marlborough is conducting a significant series of social value initiatives in the London Borough of Camden throughout the Contract period. This includes prioritising resident employment through the creation of local jobs and apprenticeship placements, as well as the provision of training and educational courses delivered by qualified members of staff. Marlborough will also engage with schools and colleges, and support community organisations in Camden through a range of programmes including employee volunteering.
Marlborough has considerable coastal engineering experience, offering expertise in a variety of specialist construction methods. Liaising closely with Southendon-Sea City Council and the design team, Marlborough refined and improved the technical plans, before creating a costeffective schedule, which took into account tidal times and included contingencies for bad weather. Throughout the project, it was necessary for Marlborough to communicate regularly with Natural England, as the organisation responsible for a preservation order in the works area.
During a pre-works survey, it was discovered that some of the original pile foundations could be reused, meaning less material was needed to be brought on-site. With the works area accessible for just five hours a day, supplies and equipment had to be transported on and off the beach quickly and efficiently, while causing minimum disruption to beach users. And by completing much of the prefabbing off-site, it allowed for new steel beams and whole sections of a durable GRP Mesh material to be installed to budget and to time. Throughout the works, extreme care was taken to ensure that marine and bird wildlife remained undisturbed, this included the use of sustainable materials and the employment of environmentally friendly construction methods.
Client: Southend-on-Sea City Council
Date: April – May 2022
Duration: 2 weeks
Value: £49,000 Project
• Removal and safe disposal of damaged timber boards and corroded steel beams
• Cutting of existing foundation piles to new level
• Installation of new steel I-beams
• The adding of custom-made galvanised steel pile caps with top hat to secure the new steel beams
• Fitting of GRP Mesh sheeting
Team
• 1 full time Project Manager
• 1 Trainee Supervisor
• 5 Marlborough Operatives
Southend-on-Sea City Council commissioned Marlborough to erect a walkway, 500m out from Chalkwell Beach, to replace the damaged Crowstone Footbridge, which is situated halfway along the ‘Old Hard Cockle Path’ on the Essex coast. The new construction provides walkers and swimmers with safe access to the channels and allows the Chalkwell Lifeguards Club to reach the water at low tide when they need to undertake essential rescue training.
Situated between Leigh-on-Sea and Westcliff, Chalkwell Beach is a popular location for walkers and swimmers in Southend-onSea in Essex. Backed by a promenade and overlooking the Thames Estuary, the sandy beach and nearby coastal channels are a haven for nesting birds and marine wildlife. During low tide, when a wide area of mud and shingle is revealed, the quarter mile long Old Hard Cockle Path is accessible. Here there is a bridge over a small muddy creek, that has existed for at least 80 years, and in recent decades has been used by day-trippers and the local lifeguard to access the waters when the tide is out. Over time the structure fell into disrepair and became dangerous, with rotting timber, missing walkway planks and unstable foundations.
The bridge needed to be replaced by an attractive, modern, and robust walkway, that offered more grip and could be used safely by the lifeguard and the public. The project was subject to the complexities of unpredictable
sea and weather conditions and given the historic importance and biodiversity of the area, it was vital that construction was carried out with the up most consideration for the natural environment. It was necessary for works to be completed quickly and to the highest standard, with the safety of beach users and site personnel the number one priority.
“Southend-on-Sea City Council, working alongside our Term Service Contractor Marlborough Highways, successfully completed recent renovations to the Crowstone Footbridge. The designs were provided by Marlborough, and the work unique, given that the location of the footbridge is approximately 300m away from the seawall and out into the Estuary. Once consents to work were given, the scheme was completed to budget and ahead of its programme duration.”
Neil Handley, Senior Engineer, Southend-on-Sea City Council
The Capital Lantern Replacement Programme forms part of Hackney Council’s Net Zero Energy Strategy, which is seeing the conversion of approximately 2,400 lanterns throughout the London Borough of Hackney to LED, helping to reduce running costs and improve street lighting. As Hackney Council’s long-term contractor, Marlborough was tasked with carrying out the lighting works to a high standard while causing minimum disruption to the community.
The London Borough of Hackney is the third most densely populated borough in the UK, with unique pressures on transport and civic systems. Much of the street lighting had become inadequate, too costly to maintain, and often substandard. As part of its commitment to reach Net Zero, the Council tasked Marlborough with upgrading the street lighting throughout the borough, converting inefficient lanterns, into modern, sustainable LED powered sources of light, that would help create safer environments.
The programme required a team of skilled engineers and electricians, with specialist street lighting knowledge and expertise in the use of cutting-edge LED technology. The upgraded lanterns would need to reliably provide welllit roads for years to come, creating a more welcoming night-time environment, while using less energy. A programme of footpath closures would need to be coordinated throughout, and no street could be temporarily left without adequate lighting during the period of works.
“I was really pleased to visit highways contractors Marlborough with Cllr Coban as they installed new street lamps in Lee Conservancy Road in Homerton. By replacing lamps with energy efficient LEDs, we are reducing our energy consumption, which will help us to reach net zero by 2040”.
Philip Glanville Mayor of HackneyMarlborough has 30 years’ experience in providing street lighting solutions for its highway maintenance contracts and project based public realms schemes. During the programme of works their inhouse team worked on a range of street lighting types of varying ages, many of which came with their own unique electrical challenges, requiring specialist works. Marlborough installed a Central Management System, which allows the borough’s new LEDs to be managed holistically and more efficiently, while saving on energy costs.
The long-term project took place over an intermittent time-period in line with the client needs, with Marlborough carrying out the works methodically street by street, with minimal disruption caused to residents and businesses. Lightweight MEWPs were used on site, allowing Marlborough operatives to access bulbs and wiring, without the need for full road closures. And despite the need to repair cosmetic damage to some lampposts, the programme ran to budget and to time.
Client: Hackney Council
Date: 2022 - 2023
Duration: 6 Months (intermittent timeframes)
Value: £1,440,000
Project
• Conversion of 2,400 lanterns to LED
• Replacement of steel and iron columns
• Extensive electrical works including complex wiring and the installation of a CMS system
• Works to maintain and refurbish existing street lighting infrastructure
• Coordination of temporary footpath closures
Team
• 1 full time Project Manager
• 1 Supervisor
• 2 Marlborough Operatives
• 2 Subcontractor
Client savings
• No road closures were necessary to complete the works, ensuring minimum disruption to vehicle users.
• Higher than anticipated energy cost-savings achieved as whole-sale electricity prices have risen.
Marlborough understands that operating in a sustainable way is crucial for the wellbeing of the planet, its customers, and the communities in which it serves. The company believes that sustainability is also essential for its long-term success, with its staff passionately committed to working in a greener and cleaner way. In collaboration with clients and industry
partners, Marlborough aims to be a leader in the de-carbonisation of the construction industry by placing responsibility and sustainability at the heart of its growth strategy.
Marlborough has set a goal of achieving Net Zero by 2025, which is ahead of the UK Government’s deadline of 2050.
Fiona joined Marlborough in January 2022, working in the newly created Performance, Sustainability & Social Value department in the role of Environment and Sustainability Officer. Educated in the fields of Global Development and Renewable Energy, Fiona began her career in the public sector, before transitioning into the highways industry, where she strives to effect positive change.
Passionate about the environment, Fiona is helping Marlborough to achieve its ambitious goal of reaching Net Zero by 2025, working across a range of disciplines relating to Biodiversity, Supply Chain, Materials, Waste, Energy, Transport and Plant.
The company is taking measures to minimise direct emissions and is working with suppliers and clients to reduce the carbon footprint resulting from third parties. In cases where emissions cannot be eliminated entirely, Marlborough is investing in offsetting schemes, including in developing countries, to achieve carbon neutrality across the entire business.
Marlborough has planted 5,000 new street trees in the London Borough of Hackney. The initiative is one of the largest of its type in the country and forms part of Hackney Council’s ongoing commitment to making the north London borough a greener place to live and work. The project also included 1,000 new trees and 30,000 saplings in parks and green spaces across Hackney, helping to create more attractive urban environments, while improving air-quality.
In line with Hackney Council’s environmental strategy of reaching Net Zero emissions by 2040, planners set the ambitious goal of planting thousands of trees throughout the borough in just two years. As Hackney Council’s principal highways contractor, Marlborough worked with the Council team in partnership with the distinguished tree suppliers Barcham, to project manage the
programme, sourcing more than 80 varieties of native and non-native species.
The programme of works required a complex schedule, involving storage, transportation, ground preparation and planting, with specialist botanical knowledge vital to ensuring that the right trees were chosen for the right settings. At the peak of the scheme, Marlborough was planting up to 200 trees per week, with individual trees typically ranging from three to five metres in height. The initiative sees street tree canopy coverage in the London Borough of Hackney increase from 20% to 30%, and it is helping to reduce the risk of flooding through better street drainage. Marlborough is now tasked with the maintenance and upkeep of the 5,000 trees, with a specialist team monitoring their development in the months ahead.
Marlborough has introduced the London EV Company (LEVC) VN5 Electric Van to its fleet, which is a 2.5 tonne low emissions hybrid model that can travel up to 370 miles on a single charge.
LEVC, formally known as The London Taxi Company, is the organisation behind the iconic London black cab. The firm created the world’s first EV taxi in 2017, which was designed and manufactured at the UK’s only dedicated EV car plant in Coventry. LVEC entered the commercial vans market in 2020, launching the VN5, with the model boasting the latest active safety systems, ensuring the protection of vehicle occupants, as well as other road users. With a fully electric powertrain, Marlborough’s new VN5 electric van benefits from advanced eCity technology, offering true zeroemissions capability. Purpose-built for productivity, the van has a robust aluminium body structure and SMC exterior, with 5.5m³ of versatile load space and features cruise control and a 23cm touch screen.
Marlborough is committed to supporting the residents who it serves by engaging in community outreach. The company’s efforts include working with schools and colleges, assisting youth groups, and donating to local charities to effect positive change. But Marlborough is also concerned with the wellbeing of people and communities beyond its scope of operations and is regularly involved in initiatives that seek to help vulnerable people elsewhere in the UK and abroad. In 2022, Marlborough established a dedicated Social Value team to lead these efforts, headed up by Nick Reading, who was appointed to the position of Head of Performance, Sustainability & Social Value in January of last year.
Nula joined Marlborough in April 2022 in the newly created role of Social Value Coordinator. With extensive experience in the construction industry, Nula brought a wealth of expertise to the company, with a proven track record of delivery in CSR strategy. Nula is committed to supporting local employment and creating opportunities for all, and is dedicated to ensuring that Marlborough makes a positive contribution in the communities in which it serves.
The Marlborough team were deeply saddened by the loss of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth in 2022. They believe that she served the nation with an enormous sense of dignity and duty, for which their staff will be forever grateful. Reflecting on the events of last year, Marlborough are thankful that they had the opportunity to support the London Borough of Enfield with their celebrations for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, by installing bunting and other decorations at various locations.
“Thank you for your help with the bunting last week, it was very much appreciated especially at such short notice”.
One year after the war in Ukraine began, the thoughts of Marlborough employees are with all those whose lives have been affected by the ongoing conflict. Marlborough is proud of the support that colleagues have shown to the people of Ukraine, with several initiatives undertaken in 2022 to help those in need. This included raising over £20,000 for the DEC Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal, staff volunteering at the Ukrainian Refugee Support Hub at Stansted Airport, and the donation of IT equipment to help Ukrainian Refugees who have come to the UK. Marlborough wishes to thank everyone involved for their efforts; the help and support is making a real difference.
Marlborough has teamed up with the fantastic charities Smart Works and Suited & Booted to donate items of professional work wear, which will be worn by under privileged people in search of employment. The company’s Social Value team had an excellent response to its request for donations of men’s and women’s clothing from staff, with 114 items received over a onemonth period, with an estimated value of £2,675. The work wear consisted of formal trousers, blazers & jackets, shoes, dresses, bags, scarves, belts, cuff links, coats and more, with donations coming from Marlborough’s Chelmsford, Brentwood, Southend-on-Sea and London offices.
Marlborough colleagues gave up their time to volunteer at the Trussell Trust run Harold Hill Foodbank in Romford in the London Borough of Havering, helping to prepare food parcels for families in need throughout the festive period. Christmas can be a particularly challenging time for the vulnerable, so Marlborough’s leadership team is enormously proud of all those that took time to help others. The initiative was part of the company’s Supported Volunteering scheme, which provides its employees with a maximum of two days a year to support a charity or community organisation during working hours.
The Marlborough team is proud of its hugely gifted staff and is actively working towards attracting and developing the best individuals in the sector. The company recognises that women are still under-represented in the highways industry and aims to create an inclusive workforce that mirrors the communities in which it serves. Marlborough is dedicated to fostering a diverse workplace where all employees are respected and valued, and where female staff members are represented across every level of the organisation. Marlborough is fortunate to have some of the most talented women in construction, from junior roles to senior leadership positions, with the company committed to promoting and rewarding women in all areas of its operations.
Passionate about the construction industry, Kim joined Marlborough in 2018 and is responsible for managing the company’s plant. With a varied employment history, she brings a range of valuable skills and expertise to the role, which she has shaped as the organisation has grown and diversified. A hugely popular member of staff, Kim has a love for socialising and is a cheerleader for charitable causes.
Admired and well-known by Marlborough at her time of joining the business, Kim is the organisation’s first dedicated Plant Manager. Drawing on her sector experience and excellent organisational skills, Kim worked with the senior management team to define and develop her role, introducing new auditing systems, and streamlining the process of hiring and purchasing machinery. As Marlborough’s plant fleet has grown and diversified, Kim has worked with new suppliers, seeking out more efficient equipment that allows colleagues to operate ever more sustainably and more costeffectively. Valued by operatives in the field and relied upon by Marlborough’s QHSE team, Kim works hard to ensure that every item of machinery is compliant with regulations and maintained to the highest standard. She also collaborates with Marlborough’s training team, educating staff in the best safety practice, and ensuring operatives possess up-to-date qualifications and certificates.
“If you want to be appreciated in an environment that has a welcoming and family feel, then Marlborough is a great place for you. There is a fantastic atmosphere, with staff rewarded properly for their hard work and loyalty, with the prospect of a long-lasting career for anyone that shares in the company’s strong set of values.”
Olivia joined Marlborough as a Trainee Supervisor at the end of 2021, supporting the team at the Rochford depot, near Southend-on-Sea. Helping to deliver a range of Traffic Management and Coastal Engineering projects, Olivia passionately carries out her operational and administrative duties, splitting her time between the office and supervising operatives in the field. A hugely popular member of staff, Olivia is loyal and committed, with a bright future in a traditionally male dominated industry.
In addition to her civil engineering and Highways Maintenance responsibilities, Olivia is also tasked with the distribution of PPE, stock management, ticketing, and a host of other QHSE functions. With a desire to further her career at Marlborough, Olivia is studying for a formal Street Works qualification, with the team giving her the time and support she needs to balance her work and academic commitments. Using her critical thinking and problem-solving skills, Olivia is provided the freedom to learn on the job, while shaping and developing her role in the process. She is an asset to the company and has a promising career ahead of her, with ambitions to become a Supervisor and eventually a Project Manager in charge of a whole department.
“Marlborough is a close-knit team that feels like one big family, all working towards the same goals. I am encouraged to push myself to get the job done but am always given the support I need to thrive, with helpful and friendly colleagues across every part of the business. Marlborough is the best place I have ever worked; I love being part of a team that genuinely cares about its people and the communities that it serves.”
Marlborough is dedicated to supporting the community in which it is head quartered, and the communities in which it operates, through the provision of quality training and local employment opportunities. The company’s efforts include facilitating work experience sessions, presenting at careers fairs, and exhibiting at local schools and colleges where their experienced team highlight the benefits of a career in construction.
Marlborough staff recently gave up their time to volunteer at St Aloysius’ College in the London Borough of Islington. They delivered presentations to four classes and engaged with over 100 students from years 7, 8 and 9. Each of them spoke about their own career in the highways industry and discussed the many job types that exist at Marlborough, from Quantity Surveying, QHSE, Finance and Communications positions, through to frontline operative roles. The team also discussed the value of apprenticeships and the ways in which they allow young people to gain qualifications while developing crucial workplace skills.
There was a fantastic atmosphere at the recent Restart Scheme Careers Fair in Basildon, Essex, where Marlborough’s Recruitment and HR teams exhibited alongside other local employers. The event, which was organised by the Department for Work & Pensions in partnership with Reed, brought together a variety of individuals, from school and college leavers seeking their first job, through to older people looking to get back into the workforce. The session provided an opportunity interact with local job seekers and to showcase the diverse career paths available at Marlborough.
Marlborough partnered with Ixion, part of Shaw Trust, to deliver a two-week construction programme for the residents of the London Boroughs of Haringey, Hackney, and Newham. The scheme took place at Marlborough’s Garman Road office in Tottenham and formed part of the Shaw Trust Construction Academy, helping attendees to gain experience and qualifications while developing their CV and interview skills. The training was the first Sector-based Work Academy Programme to be delivered by the two organisations, with Marlborough’s leadership team proud to support the residents who took part. The fully funded course covered health and safety, asbestos awareness, traffic management, manual handling, and more.
On 20 January 2023, Marlborough held the inaugural Red Star Awards at the County Hotel in Chelmsford, Essex. The glamorous event recognised and rewarded Marlborough’s people and provided an opportunity to celebrate in the company’s shared success.
Attended by more than 100 Marlborough employees, nine winners were presented with trophies on the evening, with a further 16 members of staff highly commended for their hard work and commitment to excellence. Each recipient was nominated by a fellow member of staff, with 141 individual entries going to an impartial judging panel. The wide range of award types ensured that people from across the business were recognised, with front line operatives, office-based staff, apprentices, and managers amongst those to be celebrated.
The categories for the Red Star Awards were Best Housekeeping, Client Support, Step in and Stop it, Apprentice of the Year, Most Supportive, The Motivator, Superstar, Best Manager and Contract of the Year. The quality of nominations was extremely high, with strong submissions received
from each of Marlborough’s Chelmsford, London, Southend-on-Sea, and Brentwood based teams.
The awards ceremony was not only about recognising success, but it was also an opportunity for colleagues to come together in celebration. Hosted by the comedian Kevin McCarthy alongside Marlborough’s Executive Board members (Matthew Revell, Will Blostone, Joseph Revell, and Steve Revell), there was a fantastic atmosphere throughout, with a three-course meal and entertainment provided by the gifted performers Incognito, who are an exceptional troop of actors and singers.
Matthew Revell, Marlborough’s Managing Director, said “The Red Star Awards were a huge success, and I could not be prouder of my enormously talented team. It was an incredible night with a real sense of occasion, I would like to thank everyone who took part and am particularly grateful to those who made a nomination. On behalf of everyone at Marlborough, I would like to congratulate all of the winners and nominees, we are already looking forward to next year’s event.”
Best Housekeeping
Tony Mallett, Yardman
Client Support
Nerijus Baneli, Foreman
Ben Sellar, Operative
Step in and Stop it
Michael Dunn, Supervisor
Apprentice of the Year
Chris Maude, Graduate QS
Most Supportive
Anna Glennerster, Administrator
The Motivator
Phil Smith, Foreman
Best Manager
Kevin Prince, Project Manager
Superstar
Lewis Breslin, Driver/Operative
Contract of the Year
Southend-on-Sea City Council
Marlborough has a long and proud history of employing Service Leavers and Reservists, celebrating the valuable contribution that they have made to our community and wider society. Former military personnel are represented across the business, including front line operatives and senior members of the office-based team. Working with the Career Transition Partnership, Marlborough offers those colleagues the support and flexibility they need to flourish in their chosen role, while maintaining their relationship with the Armed Forces.
It is over a year since Marlborough signed the Armed Forces Covenant as part of its commitment to both active and former service personnel. It is a pledge that the company acknowledges and understands that those who serve or who have served in the Armed Forces, and their families, should be treated with fairness and respect in the community. Marlborough currently enjoys Silver award status with the Armed Forces Covenant, but is working with the organisation to increase its support for Veterans further.
Nick Reading joined Marlborough in January 2022, heading up the Performance, Sustainability & Social Value team in a newly created position. As a member of the Armed Forces Community, through his role as a Training Officer with the Army Cadets, Nick is committed to supporting Service Leavers and Reservists. He appreciates the challenges faced by those transitioning to civilian life and is dedicated to helping them develop their career.
“Service Leavers and Veterans play an essential role at Marlborough, and we encourage anyone with a military background to consider a career with us. Renowned for our welcoming and open culture, we appreciate the importance of transferable skills that are acquired in the Armed Forces, with the experience and expertise of our Service Leaver colleagues contributing to the success of the business. We have a breadth of exciting opportunities at Marlborough, with positions across Highways Maintenance, Traffic Management, Electrical Engineering, and a range of rewarding office-based roles. We recognise the challenges that Veterans can face as they adjust to life outside of the military, so working closely with our existing former service personnel, we tailor our training and support accordingly.”
As well as sponsoring and participating in events like the ABF Soldiers’ Charity Golf Day, Marlborough is involved in numerous initiatives in support of the Defence Community. This includes managing Remembrance Day and Armed Forces Day parades in the locations in which they serve, from overseeing road closures and organising diversions, to the setting up and clearing away of stages and seating areas. In addition to supporting large scale events led by borough councils, the team also assists with the organisation of smaller, resident led events, by donating equipment and offering the expertise of its Traffic Management division.
“We had a brilliant day meeting golfers from last year and welcoming new teams too. The players created such a warm atmosphere for everyone who attended, with a dose of healthy competition for good measure. Thank you to everyone who supported the day, including our sponsors’ Marlborough Highways and our volunteers for their hard work.”
Simon Ferrier, Briefing Liaison Officer ABF The Soldiers’ CharityMarlborough has created a digital work management platform called QUEST, which links every department and colleague throughout the business in real time, allowing the company to perform holistically and more efficiently. Accessible by desktop but created with employee smart phones and tablets in mind, the customised system has all but eliminated the use of hard copy documentation, helping the organisation to streamline processes and to reduce waste. Marlborough’s in-house tech developers are delighted to announce that they have rolled out a new app feature, which shows users exactly how much paper they have saved. To date, the equivalent of more than 35 trees have been conserved thanks to QUEST and the digitalisation of Marlborough’s operations.
QUEST is a purpose-built system designed to support practices spanning a multitude of disciplines, including quality, health, safety and wellbeing, human resources, waste management, training, and supplier processing. The platform also acts as an internal communications system, with a dedicated news portal, updating staff
across the business with accurate, upto-the-minute information. Delivering improved organisational performance in a legally compliant way, QUEST provides detailed reporting and has excellent monitoring capabilities. With its easy-touse dashboard, the interface processes large amounts of data, drastically cutting the company’s use of paper and enabling quantity surveying teams and Project Managers to deploy materials and resources more efficiently.
Since its launch in 2017, QUEST has gone from a basic system used by a handful of staff to a complex, fully integrated highways platform boasting over 50 apps with more than 300 active Marlborough users. In this time, it has been calculated that QUEST has saved over 380,000 sheets of paper, with operatives and office based staff able to complete and share a huge variety of documentation within the app. The waste saving is displayed by the comparable number of trees, with 10,000 pieces of A4 equating to one tree saved. The new QUEST feature also provides a breakdown of paper efficiencies by function, with the total
number of job sheets and feedback forms completed digitally amongst those listed. The paper saving tracker feature on QUEST is the latest initiative from Marlborough in its ongoing drive to operate ever more sustainably. As well as preserving existing trees, Marlborough is committed to introducing more, with a pledge to plant one tree per tonne of carbon dioxide equivalent produced per contract, reducing emissions, and improving air quality. The company also regularly project manages public realms schemes, which includes the introduction of trees, plant life, flowers, and other foliage.
“QUEST is an empowering tool that has revolutionised our operations, allowing us to foster a greener and more sustainable approach. Designed specifically for our requirements, this bespoke system not only benefits us and our clients but also positively impacts the communities we serve. With features like the trees saved calculator, we stay mindful of paper waste, while saving fuel and time by eliminating document transfers between depots and sites.”
Mathew Nebu, Director of QHSE & Digitalisation, Marlborough HighwaysMarlborough has secured a new Contract for works on unadopted highways in the District of Harlow in Essex. The Contract began on 1 April 2023 and will run until 31 March 2025, with the possibility of an additional one-year extension. Valued at approximately £80,000 per annum, the Contract will be delivered from Marlborough’s head office in Chelmsford. The main scope of services will include works to footways and carriageways, including reconstructions, maintenance, repairs, and ditch cutting. Marlborough’s Harlow Contract was awarded after a competitive bid process, in which the company demonstrated its firstclass levels of service and delivery, environmental best practice, and a commitment to providing added value to the people of Harlow through a range of social value initiatives.
“We are thrilled to be working in Harlow, and are committed to delivering high-quality services that will contribute to a greener and cleaner environment for all those who live, work, and travel in this fantastic location. I would like to thank Harlow Council for giving Marlborough this excellent opportunity, we are proud to serve such a vibrant community.”
Matthew Revell, Managing Director Marlborough Highways
Marlborough’s monthly Green Card Health and Safety Award recognises employees who exemplify QHSE procedure by going above and beyond. Carl Rangel and Liam Bagley (pictured) won the award, after providing assistance at the site of a road accident they encountered on their way home from a night shift. Using their Marlborough vehicle, Carl and Liam safely directed traffic away from the scene, while attending to the driver, providing reassurance and support until emergency services arrived. Meanwhile, employee Arben Tahiri was recognised for assisting an elderly lady, who was using an access walkway, which Marlborough had created for residents. The company extends its gratitude to all the Green Card nominees, with winners receiving vouchers.
Marlborough is pleased to announce the successful renewal of its Contractors Health and Safety Assessment Scheme (CHAS) accreditation for another year, upgrading from Standard to Elite status. The company’s expert team achieved compliance in 13 risk management areas, demonstrating a dedication to the highest standards in health and safety practice.
A major project is now underway on Ashley Road in the London Borough of Haringey, with Marlborough leading a scheme that involves improvements and upgrades to the street’s footways and carriageway, as well as the installation of a complex network of subterranean energy efficient piping. Using pioneering technology, the works are helping Haringey Council to deliver on its commitment to revitalise the Tottenham Hale district of North London.
Marlborough was proud to host a staff charity bake sale and raffle in aid of the DEC Turkey-Syria Earthquake Appeal. The event raised £824, which was matched by the company, bringing the total to £1,648. The funds will be directed towards providing crucial medical assistance, shelter, food, and clean water to those affected by the earthquake.
Eastbrook Studios in the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham will be the largest film and television production centre in the Capital when complete, with 12 sound stages and three acres of backlot. Ahead of the main construction phase, Marlborough delivered infrastructure works at the site, which involved excavation, the realignment of roads and the creation of new access points, surfacing, new ducting, drainage works and more.
Marlborough has been recognised for best practices in fleet safety, efficiency, and environmental protection, receiving the FORS Silver accreditation for its Chelmsford operations. The award is an industry benchmark for quality, and signifies the company’s commitment to excellence, elevating its status from Bronze.
Marlborough has donated four cycle stands to local primary schools in the London Borough of Hackney. The move follows last year’s London Walking and Cycling Conference at Guildhall in the City, where Marlborough temporarily installed cycle stands for the event’s delegates. The initiative is helping children to get more active and to travel more sustainably.
