Meet Bryan Williams, our framework lead for Anglian water.
Bryan joined Costain straight after leaving school and has experienced multiple projects and sectors at Costain.
What led you to your career at Costain?
"I joined Costain just over 20 years ago after doing work experience and seeing first-hand the cranes at the construction site at St Pancras Station. When I saw just how complex the project was, I knew I wanted to get into construction to find out more. After doing a bit of research, I found out about Costain and its track record of improving people’s lives, as well as its development program for new people joining the industry. I subsequently joined Costain after leaving school and I have not looked back."
How does your role contribute to improving people’s lives?
"I have worked on several major projects during my time at Costain and all of them have improved people’s lives. Projects like Thames Tideway, which is already cleaning up the River Thames and will leave a legacy for the next 150 years; or building new stations on the London Underground to help people who require step-free access across the network; or working with National Highways to reduce the traffic flows around the M25 and helping people get to their destinations. I’ve recently taken on a role as the framework lead for Anglian Water and the Strategic Pipeline Alliance. This is a really exciting opportunity for us to help Anglian tackle water scarcity in one of the driest parts of the country, and I’m looking forward to helping where I can.
"The thing I enjoy most is volunteering and giving something back to the local community of the construction sites I work on."
What’s your biggest professional achievement and why?
"My biggest success is being one of the youngest in the industry to achieve Fellowship for the Chartered Institution of Building (FCIOB) and the Institution of Civil Engineers (FICE).
I'm passionate about the need to support and empower people to believe in themselves, as this is what I have needed to do to achieve these Fellowships through the apprenticeship route.
"I am involved in Costain’s Front-line Supervisors Gateway Programme – a career development programme that is seeing frontline supervisors getting Chartered status, which is a step change in the time I’ve been working in the profession - previously frontline workers would not have been interested in further development or additional qualifications. It’s great that people are taking the opportunities to develop when presented to them."
What do you enjoy most about working at Costain?
"21 years is not a typical length of time that people would stay with a company! Costain is like a family - everyone is supportive to each other and it’s an environment where people can be at their best. I know from my own experience that I have been given the space to develop and push on to the next stage of my career."
What has inspired you during your time at Costain?
"Over the time I have worked for Costain I often reflect on the amazing and talented people we have within the business. From new starters to the CEO, everyone has a drive to operate at the next level, everyone feels valued, and there are lots of networks help people support each other. I am also continually inspired by the complex projects that we deliver – whether it be Thames Tideway, upgrading London Bridge station, our work on HS2 as part of the SCS JV, or the great things we’re doing with our water clients on AMP8, these are major, complex engineering programmes that carry the wow factor."
What advice would you give to someone starting out in their career?
"The final goal is within your gift - just keep the passion and you will get to where you need to be. One of the great things about a career in construction is that if you are ever unsure about what you’re doing, there are always other roles to try and experience. Many years ago, I started out as a land surveyor and soon realised this wasn’t quite for me – after speaking to my line manager I changed roles and 18 years later I am here as a construction director."
Connect with Bryan on LinkedIn or search our careers page to learn about our current job opportunities.