Balfour Beatty VINCI SYSTRA Joint Venture

Our Senior Reporting Manager, George Stefanopoulos, and Project Controls Manager, Habib K., have written an insightful article on project data in the Association for Project Management's latest Project Journal. You can register to read it here: https://lnkd.in/gdb_Wn8

Check out this amazing footage of an FPV drone flight through our huge underground station box. The box has a 1.12 mile fibre-reinforced concrete diaphragm wall around it, and 1.3 million tonnes of London clay has been removed from inside – this is enough to fill more than 300 Olympic sized swimming pools!   Now that excavation has been completed, the team can finish pouring the final sections of the base slab. When fully formed, the box will house six high-speed platforms and the station building. https://lnkd.in/gpqRbswP #HS2 #OldOakCommonStation

Last month, we were privileged to launch Pride Month with Professor Emeritus and Co-founder of LGBT History Month, Sue Sanders, alongside our LGBTQ Executive Sponsors, Brendan Seymour and Sonia Hazel. Sue presented a session on 'the power of inclusive language', exploring the power of language, unconscious bias, and ways we can communicate more inclusively.   Later in the month, we hosted a fireside chat with Dan Robertson, MD of FAIRER Consulting. Dan shared his personal and professional experience, explaining the importance of understanding the differences in lived experiences between people in the LGBTQ community, as well as those of different races and socio-economic backgrounds.     A group of colleagues then attended Pride in London to support the LGBTQ community. Whilst Pride Month is a joyous occasion, we reflected on the fact that every day of the year is an opportunity to contribute toward equity, diversity and inclusion.   Our ED&I Manager, Alpa Kapasi, commented: "within our team, we have always stood in solidarity with people from LGBTQ communities to educate out prejudice. The importance of language and the narrative we develop is critical to us embedding and promoting a respectful organisation. I am extremely proud, and thankful, for everyone that showed up during the month to support our colleagues and our speakers to engage in some really thought-provoking conversations around the power of language and the meaning of respect. We will continue those conversations as we grow our respectful and inclusive organisation."   https://lnkd.in/g92_2dK  #Pride #LondonPride #EDI

Last month, we volunteered at Old Oak Primary School to renovate and decorate their outdoor playground area. We completed a number of works, such as planting plant pot tyres, constructing new benches and painting the fence and play equipment. We are delighted that the nursery and reception students now have a colourful outdoor space to enjoy.   The school had the following to say about the day: "we ... were extremely lucky to have a garden makeover ... and some amazing volunteers – we hope to continue our relationship in the future."   A big thank you to Expanded and Select Plant Hire for their support.

We are incredibly proud of this milestone and our Project Director, Steve O'Sullivan, had the following to say:   “This achievement is a testament to the dedication and hard work of our team, and in particular the valuable contributions of our apprentices like Miguel. The progress here at Old Oak Common moves us one step closer to completing this key transport hub, which will enhance connectivity and drive regeneration in the area. We are excited to move forward to the next phase of construction and continue delivering this transformative project.”

Congratulations to Karolina Zelvyte, Delivery Manager from Clipfine Ltd, who has won the 'Supply Chain and Logistics' category in the 2024 Women In Construction and Engineering Awards! She had the following to say about her experience:   "The whole experience from the start was challenging, but in the most positive way. Women are not used to talking about themselves, even on a day-to-day basis, let alone in presentations. However, going through this process taught me new things about myself, and what I’m capable of. Mostly, I was left with an open jaw when reading references about myself. I think most women will relate to the fact that most days we come to work, do our job to the best of our ability, and simply go home. We then wake up, do the same the next day, and repeat the process for weeks, months, and years without thinking much of it. To hear people speaking and thinking so highly of you is an eye opening experience.   I want to say thank you to Clipfine Ltd for nominating and supporting me in these awards, and a HUGE thanks to Sophie Dumont (BBVS Senior Commercial Manager) and Diane Champion (BBVS Quality, Construction Assurance and Handover Manager) who went above and beyond to coach and mentor the finalists. The biggest thank you to Brendan Seymour (BBVS Construction Lead) who found my story so fascinating. When I won and couldn't believe it, he said he never had a single doubt that I would win. Thank you as well to Nigel Russell (Balfour Beatty CEO, HS2 Major Projects) for his warm support and congratulations. Overall, I thank everyone who was there on the night and all the finalists from BBVS for making me feel welcome and a part of the family. I want to say congratulations to all the finalists from Old Oak Common station – we are all winners!" https://lnkd.in/eu3Daiq

In this interview with Construction Management Magazine our very own Steve O'Sullivan FCIOB, FCIBSE talks about Imposter Syndrome, 4D planning and what makes a successful major project. https://lnkd.in/eUCgZxNv

Last month, we hosted an Armed Forces Project Day at Old Oak Common with BuildForce. Military veterans had the chance to see the site, meet the site team, get an overview of the works and discuss job opportunities throughout the project. HS2 (High Speed Two) Ltd has partnered with BuildForce to support ex-military forces staff in building new careers in construction. This includes leavers from the British Army, Royal Navy, Royal Marines and Royal Air Force (RAF). HS2’s construction requires a diverse workforce with a wide range of skills and talents, and 83 former service men and women have already moved into full-time roles on HS2 projects. By teaming up with BuildForce, HS2 has opened the doors to its 350 work sites and given ex-forces personnel the chance to apply their skills in a completely different setting. https://lnkd.in/erMbaSmb

HS2 has just revealed the vision for Old Oak Common Station. Watch as the new super-hub station, that we're delivering in partnership with HS2, is unveiled.

This week, we completed the first phase of piling in the Conventional Station and Shared Accommodation Building (SAB), with a total of 1706 piles installed.   This will form the foundation of platforms 3 to 8 in the Conventional Station, where the Great Western Main Line, Heathrow Express and Elizabeth line trains will run – the SAB will be the main station building for the shops and station control rooms.   This is a significant construction milestone for Old Oak Common, as it allows for the next stage of concrete works of the station structure.