Step into the Blue: The Aarsleff Podcast

Join Kevin Hague in an engaging conversation with Peter Sumpton as they delve into the journey of buildDifferent. This discussion delves into the intricacies of balancing creativity, while efficiently managing the multifaceted facets of a company. Discover the profound impact and influence embedded within the simple yet powerful word 'no', and its role in navigating the complex landscape of entrepreneurship.

Join Kevin Hague as he engages in a thought-provoking conversation with former England cricketer Ryan Sidebottom, focusing on the world of elite sports and the critical role of team dynamics in individual performance. Together, they delve into the attitudes that drive success in sports, the importance of the team environment, and Ryan's future aspirations.

Join Kevin Hague in a compelling conversation with Sam Briggs, delving into the world of Human Resources. Together, they unravel the intricacies, challenges, and victories of HR management. They explore the impact of new technology, diverse generational expectations in the workplace, and the strategies employed to nurture talent within Aarsleff.

Join Kevin Hague on a compelling journey into the world of professional football as he delves into the stories, struggles, and triumphs of Matt Kilgallon. They explore the aspects of retiring from football, with a particular focus on mental health and the power to inspire younger athletes to follow their dreams.

In this podcast, Kevin Hague speaks with Liz Johnson, a Paralympic swimmer and founder of The Ability People. Tune into learn how sportsmanship is reflected in leadership and business, and the challenges businesses face when adapting to become more inclusive for people with disabilities.

You’ll Learn:
•How to normalise disabilities and create inclusion in the workplace
•How to use a sportsmanship mindset to better yourself as a leader
•Why and how to spark your motivation
•Why leadership is about helping people understand the value of who they are

About Liz:
Elizabeth Johnson is a British swimmer who has won gold medals in the Paralympic Games and International Paralympic Committee world championships. She has cerebral palsy, placing her in the S6 classification. In 2018, Johnson launched "The Ability People", a recruitment organisation that empowers people with disabilities by helping companies enhance processes and adapt cultures, transforming professional lives and building better brands. Liz is a Paralympian, media commentator, public speaker, business leader, athlete mentor and community ambassador.

The Ability People:
In August 2018, Johnson became Founder and Managing Director of "The Ability People", a recruitment agency and consultancy advisory set up that is staffed entirely by people with disabilities or barriers to conventional working environments, which aims to help other people from other minority demographics find work. They have a completely remote team, who work from all over the UK, and people work the hours that suit them. The company is called The Ability People - they empower people with disability or impairments by helping companies enhance processes and adapt cultures, transforming professional lives and building better brands. The Ability People (TAP) is a ‘for profit’, social enterprise dedicated to empowering the skilled global disability population. They do that via their ‘consultancy’ group that advise, educate, empower and support positive change and specialist teams in ‘talent sourcing’ who recruit for household names companies and SME’s on both a permanent & contract basis. All of their consultants have overcome barriers to do incredible things in the worlds of sport, industry, community and education. This gives them a unique perspective on success and helps them source the very best talent across the UK

Resources:
The ability person: https://www.theabilitypeople.com
Liz Johnson: https://www.linkedin.com/in/liz-johnson-tap/

In this podcast, Jessica Banham speaks with Jonas Henriksen on sustainable initiatives and game-changing products within Ground Engineering including the latest groundbreaking foundation product, Energy Piles.

You’ll Learn:
2:30: The synergies between Centrum Pæle and Aarsleff Ground Engineering
5:30 Insights into Centrum Pæle extensive product portfolio
10:00 The innovation that led to creating Energie piles
12:00 The vision of a low carbon future
24:00 Why and how we should maximise geothermal energy

About Jonas:
Jonas Henriksen is a Sales Engineer, Advisor, Marketing Coordinator and all round sustainability expert from Centrum Pæle AS, based in Denmark. Jonas assists with production planning and selling Centrum Pæle's various other services and products and has been involved in the development of LCA/EPD's for Centrum's entire product range. He has a bachelor in Global Business Engineering and plays a vital role in leading innovation and driving business for Centrum's four European factories.

Resources:
LinkedIn: Jonas Schütt Henriksen | LinkedIn
Centrum De: Centrum Pæle
Centrum UK: Centrum Pile Ltd
Energie Piles: Energipaele.dk

In this episode, Kevin Hague speaks to our very own Quantity Surveyor, Hayley Finney who discusses her career entry into construction and her journey so far.

You’ll Learn:
00:50 How to go from a student to succeeding in a full-time role at Aarsleff
04:30 The challenges and changes Hayley has been through since joining construction
05:20 What a typical day for a Quantity Surveyor looks like
07:20 Notable market changes in the last two years
14:50: Advice for those wanting to enter the construction industry
15:30: The future of intelligent data to drive business forward

About Hayley:
Hayley Finney began her journey at Aarsleff whilst studying Commercial Management at Nottingham Trent University in 2018. In her third year, Hayley was given the opportunity to take a placement in Aarsleff’s commercial team. On completion of study, Hayley was offered a full-time position as a Graduate Quantity Surveyor and in less than a year, she was promoted to Quantity Surveyor.
Hayley is responsible for managing contracts, negotiating terms, change controls and assists with driving success for all departments at Aarsleff.

Resources:
LinkedIn: Hayley Finney
Apprenticeship Scheme: Email [email protected]

In this podcast, Kevin Hague speaks with Caroline Walliss about the logistics, challenges and changes in major earthworks

You’ll Learn:
1:03: How Caroline became a Geologist
3:00: What is greenfield consulting
4:55: Caroline's involvement in the Shed Market
10:30: Logistics, challenges and pressures of project management
18:50: Major Earthwork projects and key market insights

About Caroline:
Caroline has over 15 years’ experience in site investigations, project management and the supervision of large-scale engineering schemes.
Recent projects that have been managed on-site by Caroline include major earthworks schemes for distribution centres for major high street and internet retailers.
She is responsible for designing and undertaking complex site investigations for a variety of clients on both brownfield and greenfield sites and has been involved in the design, supervision and validation of a number of large earthworks and remediation schemes.

Resources:
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/caroline-walliss-54620a92
CrossField Consulting: hwww.crossfield-consulting.co.uk

Aarsleff's Podcast: Voices in Ground Engineering

The Aarsleff podcast "Voices in Engineering" invites you to listen to real stories shared by industry experts, uncovering successes, challenges and their thoughts and ideas on key engineering topics from design to delivery. New episodes are available every 2 weeks, but you can also download our previous episodes on our website Podcast Player - Aarsleff
Thank you for listening!

We kindly ask that you share, rate and review our podcast.

You’ll Learn:
1:24 Paula’s career journey into civil engineering and the fascinating projects she is involved in
5:31 Why educating society is key in creating a sustainable future
9:40 The importance of attracting new talent into the construction industry
11:20 Paula’s thoughts on the current market’s rate of growth
18:00 The critical ingredients of listening to increase inclusivity to resolve problems.

About Paula:
Paula McMahon is a Chartered Civil Engineer, current holder of the European WICE Award Life in Engineering Award (https://wiceawards.com/2021-winners.html), and currently works for Sir Robert McAlpine where she looks after the people, their personal development and social value. Paula is also the local chair of civil engineers at the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE).

Over the course of her career, Paula has worked on a variety of construction projects in many roles where she has managed multi-discipline teams for companies such as Dubai Aluminium. She has a breadth of experience working with highway networks and projects including the Hinkley Point Nuclear New Build and oil and gas industrial sites.

She has recently taken on a passion project comprising a newly launched campaign to help children and the public understand Climate Change and work towards solutions Primary Voices

In this podcast, Kevin Hague speaks with Sarah Stone about the fundamentals of social value.

You’ll Learn:
1:46 Why Sarah set up social value agency Samtaler and her career journey so far
5:10 Why being nice does make you money
5:40 Understanding social value and how to implement it
12:08 The benefits and importance of local recruitment
18:41 Why mapping the supply chain is key for positive social value

About Sarah:
Sarah Stone is Founder and Director of social value agency Samtaler. Sarah is a senior stakeholder engagement and communications specialist. She is a former Downing Street External Relations Adviser to David Cameron and was assistant to Steve Hilton, the architect of the Big Society.
Sarah is passionate about empowering communities. She founded and ran the world's first public affairs company for community groups and grassroots campaigners, spending two years advising communities all over Scotland before moving on to found Samtaler. Since 2015 has been working in Scotland to help procurers and suppliers implement the Procurement Reform (Scotland) Act.

Thank you for listening!