Vox - December 2009 by Halcrow

700 Halcrow employees 500,000 man-hours over ÂŁ30 million in fees

one phenomenal project

Yas Island

Welcome to the fourth issue of Vox.

Editorial Anna Mann, editor mannal@halcrow.com Chris Warmoll, deputy editor warmollcj@halcrow.com Haidee Harrison harrisonha@halcrow.com Eloise Young youngel@halcrow.com Design Emilie Dadswell dadswelle@halcrow.com Tracy Newman newmant@halcrow.com Distribution Gabrielle Manley manleyg@halcrow.com Vox is designed and produced by Halcrow’s corporate communications team.

Cover image courtesy of Peter Disher

Printed by Rumbold Holland on Revive 50:50 silk recycled paper, it contains 50 per cent recovered waste and 50 per cent virgin fibre. It is manufactured at a mill accredited with the ISO 14001 environmental management standard. The pulp used in this product is bleached using an elemental chlorine-free process. This material is recyclable.

Editor’s comment

The Vox team

Along with project news from around the world, in this edition we turn the spotlight on Yas Island – a breathtaking project and an incredible achievement, thanks in no small part to Halcrow’s project team. We also look at some of the exceptional achievements of Halcrow employees. Take Laurance Donnelly, for example, whose ground-breaking work in the field of geoforensics has taken him to the four corners of the globe to help search for murder victims’ graves, buried weapon stashes and drug hoards. Halcrow’s internal magazine remains as popular as ever. But during these straitened economic times, we are keeping a close eye on the size and print run of Vox. We’ve reduced the number of pages by four and cut the print run by 10 per cent. The combination of reduced space and a constant supply of material from employees across the business means we are invariably oversubscribed. While we do our utmost to accommodate submissions, the sheer volume of information may result in some articles being held for later editions or communicated elsewhere. But please keep sharing your project news, personal achievements and life-changing events – this is your forum, your magazine, your voice.

Featuring: Yas we did Mega project completed on time and to budget – 04

Correspondents Americas Argentina, Mariana Ojeda Canada, Cathy Spark Belize, Ian Rowdon Chile, Georg Welzel Saint Lucia, Mandish Singh US, Andrea Grinbaum Asia Beijing, Cathy Hu Chongqing, Guo Ping Yang Hong Kong, Irene Or India, Rajni Dhiman Malaysia, Robert Davies Philippines, Ricardo P Dela Cruz Seoul, Andrea Choi

What’S UP in Madagascar? Murder Halcrow engineer flees bloody coup – 10 most foul Graves, guns, drugs … a Halcrow geologist uncovers the evidence – 14

Shanghai, Victor Cheung Shenzhen, Victor Cheung Australasia Brisbane, Russ Evans Melbourne, Margaret Westman Sydney, Helen Orchard Europe and Central Asia Europe and Central Asia (overall), Dijana Garwood

Project profiles – 04

Giving generously – 33

Halcrow steps up Petrom partnership Helping meet stringent environmental standards – 17 Polish eagle soars Europe’s stand-out performer – 20

Therapy lifeline Halcrow Foundation supports Canadian children’s charity – 33

Halcrow floats Navy’s boat New home for UK’s aircraft carriers – 22

Team Hulkrow goes green for charity Novice dragon boaters paddle for hospice – 37

Awards – 23

People – 38

Double thumbs up Accolades from the Institution of Civil Engineers – 24

Alumni – 38

Poland, Alicja Pogorzelska Romania, Gabi Ivascu Middle East Gulf offices, Vanessa James Pakistan, Ali Khan UK Bedford, Walter Makoni Birmingham, Peter Robery Bristol, Judith Turner Cardiff, George Ballard Chichester, David Jukes Crawley, Stella Barber and Warren Crawley Derby, Peter Robery Edinburgh, Becki Fleming

People parade – 40

Exeter, Rachel Smith and Sarah Dawe

Achieving ambitions – 44

Glasgow, Julie McSorley Gloucester, Andrew Prout

Sporting success – 46

Ireland, Dijana Garwood

Business beat – 26

Announcements – 48

State of the nation An interview with the chief executive – 27

Out of office – 50

Sustainable solutions – 29 Socially uplifting The future of social fund mechanisms – 32

Inverness, Kat Dearing Kent, Vijay Jain Leeds, Phil Thrower London (Vineyard House), Christopher Warmoll

Born to be wild Easy rider hits the road – 50

London (Shortlands), Liz Wilson Peterborough, Laura Crawford Reading, Beverley Tocock Swindon, Sarah Nichols Waltham Cross, Dawn McGilchrist Worcester, Anita Inight York, Graeme Pollard

YAS s the sun slipped behind Abu Dhabi’s shimmering skyline, sinking below the sand dunes on 1 November, the Formula One track at Yas Island lit up the desert sky. Hundreds of Halcrow employees watched – from the pulsating stands or glued to their televisions – as several years’ concerted effort culminated in a dazzling display of modern engineering.

Despite Abu Dhabi’s reputation as more conservative cousin to the in-your-face glitz of Dubai, the emirate turned on a show-stopping performance to host the final race in the 2009 Grand Prix calendar. In aerial footage beamed out to millions around the world, the iconic, rippling roof – illuminated in coloured lights – straddled the track and showpiece Yas Hotel like a futuristic, hovering sculpture.

WE DID

Client Aldar Properties has transformed the 2,500ha man-made island from a dusty wasteland into a lush recreational setting, complete with seven hotels, one functioning and one constructed marina, and the 200,000m² Ferrari World theme park complex. An international-standard ‘links’ golf course – a first for the Middle East – and fully landscaped areas round out the development, creating a verdant oasis within easy access of both Abu Dhabi and Dubai. As lead consultant for the £23 billion project’s first phase, Halcrow delivered all primary infrastructure in preparation for the influx of race spectators, including roads, potable water, sewerage, power and irrigation systems. Halcrow also co-ordinated the efforts of specialist consultants providing district cooling, gas and vacuum solid waste.

A challenging 30-month schedule, input from over 700 Halcrow employees and a mammoth 500,000 hours’ work combined to deliver the iconic Yas Island development – the latest major project to emerge, glittering, from the region’s sandy surrounds. Earlier this century, the emirate’s urban planning council launched its strategy for growth, Vision 2030, outlining plans to expand Abu Dhabi’s population from 1 to 3 million. Yas Island forms an integral component of this future aspiration, providing homes for 110,000 people as well as commercial drivers to attract further investment.

Yas marina circuit

Yas Island is a spectacular 2,500ha island located off the Arabian Gulf coast between the cities of Abu Dhabi and Dubai. This unparalleled development includes world-class hotels, a Formula One circuit, theme parks, a golf course, a mega mall, apartments, villas and much, much more

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The project’s scale and the level of collaborative working across business groups meant milestones were worth celebrating – by everyone involved. Project manager David Connolly said: “The first time we put asphalt on our road and water in the water tank, those were big events for us. It gives everyone a buzz.” In total, the Halcrow-supervised components came in at £1.1 billion, netting more than £30 million in fees for the company. These complex works will serve the island’s eventual 110,000-strong resident population, along with up to 300,000 daily visitors. Essential utilities and infrastructure pave the way for phases two and three, leading up to the development’s scheduled completion in 2018. And there is no escaping the project’s scale and complexity. Yas Island is home to the largest water tank in the Middle East, capable of holding 91 million litres of drinking water. As work progressed, the masterplan underwent numerous evolutions and amendments, with the Halcrow team taking subsequent changes in its stride – seamlessly adapting the designs and construction accordingly. For example, a Halcrow-designed tunnel will whisk visitors arriving by car to the site from 2010, despite the original plans stipulating a bridge at its location.

A challenging 30-month schedule, input from over 700 Halcrow employees and a mammoth 500,000 hours’ work combined to deliver the iconic Yas Island In addition to these massive infrastructure components, Halcrow’s transport planning work was singled out for praise, both in the local press and by clients Aldar and Abu Dhabi Motorsports Management (ADMM). As the crowds dispersed, still high on adrenaline and petrol fumes, His Excellency Khaldoon Al Mubarak applauded Halcrow’s transport vision and plan, holding up the Yas experience as a blueprint for future urban development in Abu Dhabi. In line with the emirate’s 2030 urban development plan, Yas lays the foundations for city landscapes of

Bernie Ecclestone, president of Formula One, described the Yas marina circuit as “one of the most exciting tracks I have ever seen”

the future – defined by mass transportation arteries, more spacious communal areas and better pedestrian thoroughfares. The result of a seamlessly integrated partnership between all of Halcrow’s business groups, the project’s subtler elements are arguably its most radical. Forward-thinking determination from both Halcrow’s design team and the client has seen a number of firsts for Abu Dhabi, previously firmly attached to the private motor car. Mired in controversy at the planning stages, many of these novel ideas – the cycle lanes that crisscross the island, for example – required the conviction of their backers to get off the drawing board. At an October panel discussion held by New York University in Abu Dhabi which focused on the Yas marina circuit, chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak framed the development as a high-profile testing ground for the city’s future.

Atmospher

ic lighting

YAS ISLAND The Yas Hotel looms majestically over the Yas marina circuit

“We used Yas as almost the future urban component within the overall city of Abu Dhabi and we wanted to test things out,” he said. “Pay attention to the sidewalks and the materials used there. They are very different from what is currently being used in Abu Dhabi. “Pay attention to the lights. There is an obvious approach towards sidewalks, where there are bicycle routes almost throughout the island. There are walkways carefully shaded to be conducive to walking. These are things not typical for Abu Dhabi but hopefully will be typical in the future.” For many employees, the excitement and satisfaction of being part of the Yas team represents the pinnacle of their careers to date. For Henk van Ommen, resident marine engineer, the experience was, “in one word, ‘mind blowing’. To create a five-anchor award mega yacht marina out of nothing is a fantastic thing, but actually doing it while you have 30 other companies working in and around your area – and actually building a hotel tower inside the marina – is well beyond anything I have encountered before.” l adorn the coasts

Six marinas wil

Construction manager Rob Jurgens describes his involvement as: “A once in a lifetime experience – a high profile, fast track, major project, with 100 contractors and 25 consultants all working together.” Following the Grand Prix, Abu Dhabi’s newspaper, The National, was effusive in its praise: “The first major test came as recently as the weekend, and Yas Island passed with flying colours. The pageantry and sport of the Grand Prix aside, another significant milestone was the impeccable logistics: traffic flow was smooth, the crowds well accommodated and the venue up to the task of hosting a top-tier international event.” All thanks, in no small part, to Halcrow.

of Yas Island

From the twisting Singapore-style street sections to the Monaco-style marina, the Yas marina circuit serves up an array of driving challenges for the world’s best drivers

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(On) top of the bill Pushing for better UK flood management Halcrow’s Paul Hargreaves proved that one voice can make a big difference, when he launched a crusade to improve the new flood and water management bill being prepared by the UK government.

The Port of Long Beach – the second largest in the US – has tasked Halcrow with delivering engineering services for a strategic navigation channel-widening project. Paul Hargreaves

The draft bill comes in response to Sir Michael Pitt’s review of the catastrophic floods that hit the UK in 2007, causing millions of pounds worth of damage to homes and businesses. The bill was drafted to provide a simpler and more effective way to manage the increasing risk of flood and coastal erosion from global warming – but the Exeter-based highways engineer felt passionately that it did not meet the brief.

Navigating to success

“The Pitt Review emphasised the need for a unifying act to simplify and improve the existing legislation,” Paul explains. “But, while most of the issues are addressed by the draft bill, there is a lack of depth in a number of areas, including responsibilities, funding and the provision of national standards. The standards should cover all aspects of flood risk management – from strategic planning, through to design, construction and implementation. “My previous project experience had showed me that strategic sustainable drainage systems could be delivered at a local level, using the powers contained within the UK’s existing Land Drainage Act combined with a collaborative approach between all stakeholders,” he adds. Paul was soon able to put his insights to good use. Six months before the draft bill was published, the president of the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE), Jean Venables, used her inaugural address to highlight the shortcomings of the existing legislative framework and technical guidance relating to surface water drainage. Paul was inspired to lobby the president to use her influential position to improve matters. As a result, Paul was asked to assist the ICE in preparing its response to the draft bill, using the experience he had gained. Paul advised on a joint policy statement between multiple institutions, including the ICE, the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, the Royal Institute of British Architects, the Royal Town Planning Institute, the Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management and the Landscape Institute – a statement believed to be the first of its kind. He also helped draft the ICE’s response to the UK government’s Environment Food and Rural Affairs (EFRA) select committee inquiry into the bill.

Halcrow will provide engineering design services for dredging and widening of the port’s back channel which links up with its main channel to various terminals in the North Harbor area. The company is incorporating innovative, sustainable, design elements into the project, including deep soil cement mixing for embankment stabilisation. The project is being undertaken to improve operational efficiency and safety for the huge container vessels that ply their trade in the channel – many capable of carrying 8,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs). The port’s navigation channels were designed many years ago, before these post-panamax sized vessels were put into service. Together with the neighbouring Port of Los Angeles, Long Beach handles 40 per cent of the US’s containerised imports. BP crude oil import terminal

MSC Texas

“The response to EFRA had to be submitted two weeks after the consultation documentation was issued.” Paul said. “The paper included over 300 pages and 188 questions, so I had my work cut out!” However, Paul submitted his responses to the ICE on time, and has since received a vote of thanks for his significant contribution. The ICE submitted its consultation response to the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) on 24 July and Paul now awaits the verdict: “Only time will tell whether the opportunity of a generation to address the inadequacies of the existing legislative system has been seized – or whether it will seep away.”

A first for New York’s port Halcrow has secured another contract with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. This latest win – the first of its kind for the client – adds asset management to the growing list of services Halcrow provides to the authority across a diverse range of market sectors. The new Asset Management On-call contract will provide operations analysis and support services with a focus on life-cycle maintenance management for the port’s shipping, rail, bridge and tunnel infrastructure.

Courtesy of Colin McDonald

Project profiles Celebrating excellence

Steaming from the past into the future Halcrow is helping to keep one of Australia’s much-loved locomotives steaming on for present and future generations. Steam Locomotive 3801, introduced to service in 1943, is the sole surviving example of the original five streamlined Class 38 Pacifics, designed to haul the New South Wales Government Railways’ heaviest and fastest express trains, such as the Newcastle Flyer. The locomotive is now undergoing its first full overhaul for 20 years and Halcrow has been working as technical advisor to its owner, RailCorp’s Office of Rail Heritage (ORH). Halcrow has secured a contract for the ORH with Dampflokwerk Meiningen, part of Deutsche Bahn, for the design and manufacture of an all-welded boiler to replace the original. Dampflokwerk Meiningen has been manufacturing steam locomotives on the same site for over 90 years, having started as the main workshop for the Prussian State Railways. Kicking off in July 2008, Chris Hoskin from Halcrow’s Sydney office has led the multi-aspect project from the start. “It is a great project to be involved in because it is an opportunity to introduce new steam locomotive technology into Australia, while

Cutting the ribbon

helping to ensure the continued presence of 3801 on the mainline,” said Chris. “This will provide education and entertainment for enthusiasts and future generations alike.” The new boiler is expected to be complete by July 2010 when it will be rigorously tested, before being shipped to Australia to return to revenue-earning traffic early in 2011. Further information: www.3801.com.au

Halcrow’s role • tendering and contract negotiations • cross-stakeholder design discussions and technical decision making • financial management • preliminary and critical design reviews • manufacturing and testing inspections • final commissioning

When the UK’s Highways Agency’s Scratchwood Depot reopened after a severe flood earlier this year, the ribbon was officially cut by Halcrow’s Ian Clabon – an honour usually reserved for the local mayor or resident dignitary. Up to a metre of water had swamped the depot on 10 February 2009, marooning vehicles and damaging site equipment. Ian and the team immediately set about organising repairs, completing all refurbishment work in less than 100 days. Ian was handed the ceremonial scissors on 1 June in recognition of his work with the Highways Agency over the past two years, based in its Dorking office in Surrey. As project sponsor on the M25 motorway, Ian is responsible for a multi-million pound portfolio of approximately 100 improvement projects, along with road and structures maintenance schemes.

Ian cuts the blue ribbon, reopening the depot. On his left is Carillion’s Dave Roberts and on the right Mouchel’s Dave Thomas

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More recently, Ian supported the Highways Agency with the handover of the M25 to the concession company, ConnectPlus, as part of a 30-year, £6 billion deal to upgrade and maintain one of Europe’s busiest motorways.

Adapting to It’s a gas – down under rising sea levels in North Carolina Teams from Houston, New York and Tampa are gearing up to work on various elements of a new liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal off the Australian coast, near Gladstone in Queensland.

The Australia Pacific LNG pre-front end engineering and design (FEED) study is being prepared for Bechtel Oil, Gas & Chemicals, whose own client is ConocoPhillips. It will involve the design of marine works associated with the LNG terminal that is to consist of two berths and a materials off-loading facility at the selected site, as well as a ferry embarkation facility nearby.

Halcrow is supporting Dewberry – the planning, design and programme management firm – in the management and execution of a £3 million sea level rise risk management study. The study was commissioned by the North Carolina Office of Geospatial and Technology Management under a grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Halcrow’s senior project manager, Ruwaida Edries, said: “This followon study to the site selection phase provides an opportunity for us to get involved in the project’s latter stages through FEED and EPC [engineering, procurement and construction]. It also provides great potential for forging deeper relationships with the client and end-client.”

Halcrow’s Adam Hosking is acting as the overall study methodology advisor, with colleagues providing specific technical inputs on various aspects, including economic modelling and ecosystem analysis. Due to its landform and unique habitat, North Carolina has been defined by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration as one of three states with significant vulnerability to sea level rise. The study will examine the potential impacts of sea level rise and increased storm activity in coastal North Carolina to 2100, including social, environmental and economic risks. It will also appraise state and federallevel policy and administrative adaptation strategies to manage these risks.

The project is due to be completed by mid-2011.

Healing flames Halcrow Yolles has provided full structural engineering services for Alberta’s first exclusively paediatric palliative care and respite facility. From its location adjacent to the new Alberta Children’s Hospital, Rotary/Flames House will provide a haven for the families of children battling progressive or lifethreatening illnesses. Construction wound up in September, with the two-storey, 6,000m² facility in Calgary, Canada, officially opening its doors on 2 October 2009. Local practice GEC Architecture designed the cutting-edge facility to look and feel like a home, as opposed to a clinical, medical institution. Spaces encouraging fun and relaxation, such as a playground, barbecue area, recreation room and sun room, ensure that children and their families are as comfortable as possible during their stay. Other features include a therapeutic activity room, library, sensory room and 11 bedrooms, some of which can accommodate entire families.

Rotary/Flames House

Other core components will define the uncertainties and assumptions associated with the hazard, risk and adaptation strategy analysis, while simultaneously identifying the next steps for policy makers to progress sea level rise risk management.

hen Jonathan Appleby signed up for a six-month stint on a water and sanitation project in Madagascar, he may have anticipated a bout of gastric illness or rudimentary cooking facilities. But fleeing a country gripped by political unrest in the aftermath of a bloody coup was hardly a scenario the Inverness-based water engineer considered when boarding a plane from Scotland to the island nation’s capital, Antananarivo.

home has a private septic tank or latrine. This is a much more difficult challenge than installing water points as it has to be done one household at a time.”

Led by Water and Sanitation for the Urban Poor (WSUP) – a not-forprofit organisation of which Halcrow is a founding member – the three-year project in Madagascar aims to provide safe drinking water and improved sanitation for up to 200,000 people. The metropolitan water supply serves just 40 per cent of its 2 million residents, with the majority sourcing water from the polluted waterways that crisscross the city, or from potentially contaminated wells.

Just as Jonathan started to settle in political unrest shook the capital, with the city’s mayor leading demonstrations against Madagascar’s president over the alleged misuse of public funds.

In keeping with WSUP’s approach of establishing schemes that are subsequently taken on by local people in the long-term, Jonathan’s project co-ordinator role saw him help manage the operation for six months before recruiting a permanent replacement. Comprising five main strands, the project sought to drastically extend the network of clean water outlets, with an additional 100 water points planned for the first year. Improving household sanitation was next on the agenda. Jonathan explained: “The city lacks a public sewage treatment works – every 10

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Hygiene promotion, improving the capacity of the local water service provider and improving the collection of waste rounded out the project’s components.

Protest spilled into violence when soldiers opened fire on demonstrators attempting to force their way into the presidential palace, killing 28 people. Retribution was swift as supermarkets owned by the president were looted and attacked by protestors. A further 60 people perished in the resulting blazes. “I had to drive across town to get to work, so I had to constantly listen to the radio or phone colleagues to figure out a safe route,” explained Jonathan. “I was regularly getting security updates from the British Consul and from Halcrow.” Work continued on the WSUP project, despite the seething undercurrent of unrest that threatened to boil over. One project meeting stands out for Jonathan, when running street battles encroached on an otherwise normal working day. “The police started

Residents collect safe water from a new water point

A communal laundry block takes shape

Visit www.wsup.com for more information

Jonathan with local community leaders and project workers

Main image: street in Antananarivo piled with rubbish

to chase the demonstrators in the direction of our office,” he recalled. “To disperse the crowd, they fired tear gas right outside the building. My colleagues just shut the windows and shutters and tried to carry on with the meeting – while we could hear all this going on outside. It was the most bizarre meeting I’ve ever had in my life!” The crisis came to a head on 17 March when the president resigned and fled the country. Jonathan received a call from Halcrow: “We’ve got you a ticket for South Africa – get out tomorrow!” He spent the next five weeks working on a similar WSUP project in Mozambique alongside Halcrow’s Richard Shackleton, and monitoring developments as the tension simmered on in Madagascar. With the violence eventually subsiding, Jonathan returned to the island to complete his assignment. Jonathan’s Antananarivo expedition marked the latest chapter in his involvement with charities and non-governmental organisations. Previous projects have seen him trade the Highlands for Uganda and Pakistan, which he visited twice in the wake of the south Asian earthquake, sleeping in a tent in sub-zero conditions. Supporting some of the world’s most vulnerable communities has clearly had a lasting

impact on Jonathan: “You feel you’ve achieved something significant; that you’re putting your skills to good use. “Madagascar is among the 20 poorest nations in the world,” he said. “The majority of ordinary people I met survived on much less than £1.20 per day. I think we take clean water for granted in this country, but if you work abroad you realise it’s not like that in the rest of the world. In Antananarivo we were trying to achieve the most basic human provision – providing water people can drink without getting ill.”

Antananarivo – key project facts • • • • •

Antananarivo water coverage: less than 15 per cent* Antananarivo sanitation coverage: less than 5 per cent * Infant mortality rate: 76 per 1,000 Estimated project cost per captia: £10 Target beneficiaries: over 200,000 people

*In 12 commune areas of Antananarivo surveyed as part of a WSUP scoping study and the target communes of this project

A wise investment Halcrow’s flood risk management contract in the Norfolk Broads – delivered jointly with contractor BAM Nuttall – featured as a case study in the Environment Agency’s recently launched long-term investment strategy for England. Setting out future funding scenarios, the strategy outlines the level of investment required to protect people and property from increased flood risk over the next 25 years to 2035. Experts are unanimous in forecasting a steady surge in flooding and coastal erosion, as defence assets deteriorate and the effects of climate change become increasingly apparent. In publishing its long-term outlook, the government’s environmental watchdog reiterates that a steady increase in investment will be required to maintain current levels of protection against rising sea levels, more aggressive coastal erosion, and increasingly severe and frequent rainstorms due to climate change. The 20-year Broadland project, which involves maintaining flood defences in the environmentally sensitive region, was used to illustrate the potential benefits of long-term contracts. When weighing up its options for managing the Norfolk Broads, the Environment Agency opted for a private finance solution ahead of conventional contracts as it offered better value for money.

Secured in 2001, the £140 million contract has almost reached its midway point. Its remit is to restore protection to 1995 levels, guard against breaches and cope with rising sea levels and settlement. When the contract expires, the flood risk management assets will pass back to the Environment Agency – each with a specified residual life. By engaging Broadland Environmental Services (BESL) – Halcrow’s delivery partnership with BAM Nuttall – in a longer-term commitment, the contract enables planning and delivery to be carried out at an optimum commercial level. Costs can be spread more evenly over the contract period, generating financial and efficiency savings. The Environment Agency acknowledges that this scheme may not have been affordable through usual procurement methods. In addition to measurable savings, the project’s extended scope has yielded a host of additional, ‘softer’ benefits. Fostering a tight, enduring relationship, a full-time Environment Agency project team works collectively from the BESL site office. BESL has taken on ‘custodianship’ of the Broads, demonstrating a genuine interest in the area’s natural environment. Members of the environment team have developed innovative and ground-breaking mitigation techniques for protected species, including water voles, adders and common lizards. For further information, visit www.bfap.org

In the pipeline Halcrow and Laing O’Rourke have teamed up to secure Yorkshire Water’s £8 million east coast pipeline scheme. This win follows hot on the heels of the successfully delivered £5 million Marton water treatment works (WTW), which saw the team install a new pipeline and pumping station – dramatically improving the quality of drinking water for Yorkshire Water customers in and around the York area. The North Yorkshire seaside towns of Scarborough and Filey are currently supplied by an aquifer, which is fed in turn by the River Derwent. A pollution incident in the Derwent could sever both towns’ water supply. To avoid this scenario, treated water will be pumped from Darlington – providing an alternative source to the area and reducing its dependence on the existing infrastructure. Due for completion in April 2010, the project involves the design and installation of a new 27.3km water main from Haisthorpe WTW, near 12

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Darlington, to Irton WTW, which supplies the Scarborough area. A new high-lift pumping station capable of delivering up to 21 mega-litres of water per day will also be built at Haisthorpe, along with a spur pipeline connecting the main to the nearby Reighton service reservoir. Working closely with their Laing O’Rourke partners, the Leeds-based Halcrow team has been tasked with designing the pumping station, connections, pipeline and control system. Underpinning the project design is the requirement to integrate the new and existing systems while maintaining full services. While Yorkshire Water’s initial tender documents anticipated a fully pressurised main solution, the Halcrow-Laing O’Rourke team – following a lean design approach – suggested installing a pressure break tank at a high point in the main. Reducing the system’s overall pressure rating, this will result in sizeable cost savings.

Day out: pleasure boaters enjoy the Norfolk Broads

Project profiles Celebrating excellence

Alleviating Jordan’s water shortage Jordan is considered one of the ten most water-scarce countries in the world, with residents subject to severe water restrictions. High population growth and the depletion of groundwater reserves threaten to aggravate this situation in the future. The Disi-Mudawarra to Amman water conveyance project aims to provide relief to the capital city Amman, by providing around 30 per cent of the city’s water requirements. The project is an excellent example of Halcrow’s commitment to help develop a water-secure world, recently laid down in its water security strategy.

Jordan is considered one of the ten most water-scarce countries in the world, with residents subject to severe water restrictions Worth approximately £5 million to the company, the scheme will involve project management, design review and site auditing for Jordan-based concessionaire Disi Water Company. “This is a great win for Halcrow,” said Philip Bourne, regional director for the water and power team. “It will keep us busy for a number of years and help raise our profile as a leader in the search for solutions to the global water resource crisis. We also look forward to developing a strong, long-term working relationship with the client, as we work together to improve the quality of life for the people of Jordan.”

The project involves the construction of a 325km long pipeline that will drive water from the Disi-Mudawarra aquifer on the Jordan-Saudi Arabia border to Amman. When complete – in January 2013 – it will ease pressure on existing aquifers and help to ensure water supply continuity and quality. Included in the scope of the works are 55 production wells, 120km of collection piping, two pumping stations, four tanks and one reservoir, control valves and operation and maintenance facilities. With funding from the Overseas Private Investment Corporation, the European Investment Bank and Proparco, the project will also create employment opportunities and promote private sector participation in Jordan’s future development. Led by project director Glynn Monks and project manager Blaise Cummins, the ten on-site engineers will draw on resources from other offices as necessary.

Halcrow’s presence in Jordan stretches back to the 1970s. The company completed the Queen Alia Mausoleum in 1980, and in 1992 Halcrow received the Aga Khan award for architecture, recognising its work on the East Wahdat upgrading project.

Fun and games Gone are the days of asphalt surfaces and rusting monkey bars. Modern playgrounds are carefully designed, landscaped and constructed – and Halcrow is using its considerable expertise to branch into the play and leisure market. Joining forces with play kit manufacturer Record RSS, Halcrow is set to improve landscaping and encourage active, stimulating play at sites around the UK. The company is currently working on projects in Somerset and Newcastle, which are being delivered as part of the government’s £235 million play builder and play pathfinder grants programme. Aimed at ensuring all children have space to play, the initiative has set local authorities challenging targets to increase the number of leisure areas within their boundaries. Halcrow’s principal landscape architect, Paul Rabbitts, sums up the drive to diversify: “When people look at Halcrow they think big infrastructure projects, rather than the environment or play,” he explains. “We want to push our smaller schemes and some of the newer services we offer.” Halcrow’s relationship with Record RSS looks certain to benefit both companies. The partnership is able to provide an unparalleled service – bespoke equipment carefully integrated and softened with landscaping, with a clear emphasis on sustainable design and construction.

Hydro hots up As hydropower provision in India continues to shift up a gear, Halcrow has been commissioned to undertake a feasibility study for a 960MW plant in the northern state of Himachal Pradesh. Plans for the Jangi Thopan Powari hydroelectric scheme in Kinnaur include a concrete gravity dam on the Satluj River, near the village of Jangi, and an underground power house near Powari. In addition to intake structures, the scheme comprises underground desilting chambers, a water conductor system with a 15km-long head race tunnel, a 500m-long aqueduct, a surge shaft and four underground steel penstocks. Iftikhar Drabu is leading the scheme, while Colin Bullock is the project manager.

Satluj River, Kinnaur

Halcrow has won the role of owner’s engineer for Jordan’s critical £600 million water conveyance system.

Throughout his formative years he made regular trips to the bleak, brooding beauty of this windswept landscape, untouched by human development for millennia. The young Laurance continued his fascination with rocks and geology through his teenage years when he eagerly enrolled himself onto a geology and mineral exploration degree course at Leicester University. His passion for the subject was rewarded with a first class honours degree. And within a geological blink, he had secured himself a doctorate in fault reactivation from Nottingham University. Little did he imagine then that his fascination for all things geological would lead him to search for the body of Keith Bennett. Keith is the only one of five children murdered by Britain’s most infamous serial killer couple – Myra Hindley and Ian Brady – whose body still lies undiscovered on the misty, rain-lashed moor. The notorious moors murders, committed between July 1963 and October 1965, captivated and shocked the British public for a generation. With Hindley now dead, Brady, fascinated by Nazism and sadomasochistic literature and incarcerated in Ashworth high security psychiatric hospital, Merseyside, still refuses to reveal where the body of Keith lies. Laurance’s ground-breaking work means the Manchester-based geologist has advised law enforcement professionals all over the world. He explains how best to apply these geological methods in their hunt for the murdered victims of paramilitary and narcotic crime

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cartels, drug and buried weapon stashes in Colombia, and murder victims’ graves across Europe and in other parts of the world. In a fateful twist worthy of a film noir crime Mortars from Colom bia (courtesy of Colom thriller, such newlybian Police) applied geoforensic techniques have gained ascendancy almost in tune with the public’s fascination with the wider criminal forensic discipline, as exemplified by television shows such as CSI, Forensics Files, NCIS, and Bones. Not surprisingly, dealing with the grisly and often disturbing cases has left its mark on Laurance. “Working in this field has affected me personally,” he acknowledged. “It has made me more aware of the value of the work I do as a geologist. Many of the investigations carry ‘horrors’ with them such as murder and decomposing bodies – especially traumatic where children are concerned. Clearly, I am not immune to these things, but as a professional geologist, I don’t let it cloud my judgement. Those of us working in this field are not trained to deal with the emotive issues, but support and advice is on hand should it be needed.” Some 15 years ago, when Laurance first began to develop and apply the scientific geological disciplines to forensic work, geologists rarely supported police investigations. In British universities there were few, if any, courses or research specifically focused on geoforensics and their potential role in supporting law enforcement.

Laurance Donnelly combs the area for clues using geophysics, Europe

Human remains at a crime scene in woodlands, Europe (After Donnelly 2008. The Geological Society Forensic Geoscience Group)

hen Laurance Donnelly was growing up near Manchester in north west England, he was fascinated by the surreal time-capsules of geology – rocks and fossils – that he found embedded in the craggy rock outcrops that pepper nearby Saddleworth Moor and the rest of the Pennines.

Continued ...

... continued

Police officers and a forensic geologist conduct a search for a murder victim’s grave in a remote, mountainous part of Eastern Europe (After Donnelly 2008. The Geological Society Forensic Geoscience Group)

The same year, Laurance published an article on forensic geology in the journal Geoscientist, entitled Finding the silent witness. This was quickly followed in 2003 by a second offering – How forensic geology can help solve crimes in the journal European Geologist. In 2004, The Geological Society hosted a forensic geoscience conference. Laurance then set up the Geological Society of London Forensic Geoscience Group, formally launched in December 2006. His work as a geologist has now taken him all over the world. In 2008, he visited the University of Tennessee’s department of forensic anthropology – aka ‘The Body Farm’– an FBI training facility in Knoxville, USA. The 3ha wooded plot, surrounded by razor wire, is a multidisciplinary training and research facility using human cadavers. Corpses are left exposed to the elements to provide insights into decomposition under varying conditions. Laurance says he came away from the facility with a deeper understanding of the influence of geology on human decomposition. Earlier this year, he spent time in Bogota, the Colombian capital, as an integral part of an international team delivering training to judges, lawyers, police, forensic scientists and geologists. He also provided specific advice to the police on geological methods to help search for explosive devices and firearms, as well as homicide and genocide graves, related to cocaine trafficking and paramilitary activities. Laurance recently returned from

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Uruguay to set up an international working group on geoforensics with the Geoforensic International Network. This is part of the International Union of Geological Sciences’ Firearms from Co lombia Commission on (courtesy of Colom bian Police) Geosciences for Environmental Management. It will bring together forensic geoscientists from across the world to promote the discipline and develop best practice. Laurance Donnelly and Ray Murra y with police escort in Bogota, Colom bia

This gradually began to change after 2002, when Laurance was invited to give a presentation on ‘forensic geology’ in Westminster Palace, House of Commons, as part of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Earth Sciences. This single act helped raise the profile of forensic geology in the UK and drew attention to the potential support the geoscientific community could offer to the police and other law enforcement agencies conducting criminal investigations.

to help stigations lace, ment inve e rc y it took p fo h n e w ow and port law h p , u d s the e n g rr a u in c c s sts en it oc en advi ic speciali ce has be re and wh n e h es. ra w h u , a Geoforens rc d L a e , e n 4 ce 199 ce and s in at happe n h S e . w d s vi e ve e in ) ra e g determ l (trac earch for geologica ist in the s n geology – ic s n and to ass vestigatio re fo and site in areas of n o o help locate ti tw to ra n , o s lo p e ic polic geophys volves ex d in n h a y rc a g e lo s of a rogeo al aspect pping, hyd ts. The physic logical ma o e g ried objec s u a b r h s, suc e, such as ns or othe o p a e technique w al evidenc , ic ve g lo ra o g y e g ’s victim lysis of These ma a murder n and ana or bricks. o s ti s c e ), la ll g o il e c a k ngern s rials li lves the ade mate or under fi ence invo d in -m k vi n s e an a e m is m c r ro ra re o T if the ossils scene (f determine s, micro-f t a crime k n a c a s c e ro in , n th a s o t il ti m a o a s man re n evalu e found d from hu objects. A t and thos c r e e p th s o u r s o be sample e thing om th hicles, clo ollected fr l offender. or from ve samples c e a potentia th n te e a e in tw m e li b e n r o o cate associati g to impli ne, helpin crime sce

Halcrow steps up Petrom partnership At the stroke of midnight, as 2006 ticked over into the New Year, Romania took its highly-anticipated first steps into the European Union (EU) fold. Along with heightened economic prospects, massive investment and freer trade, accession brought strict new health, safety and environmental requirements. As the gunpowder clouds subsided after frenetic firework celebrations, businesses from across the country woke up to a slew of EU legislation – and began seeking technical expertise on compliance.

Halcrow has joined forces with Ramboll to help Petrom, Romania’s largest oil and gas producer, meet stiffer environmental obligations. Under these provisions, Petrom is responsible for the timely closure, decommissioning and remediation of a range of production facilities, sludge pits, tank farms and oil wells.

Petrobrazi Refinery

First on the agenda is a technological overhaul, moving on from the waste management processes used for decades in the Romanian oil industry. If Petrom is to meet more rigorous EU regulations, as well as its own improved, self-imposed standards, new waste management techniques and related infrastructure are urgently needed. Halcrow and Ramboll’s proposed solution is a combination of bioremediation plants and properly constructed waste landfills. Efficient, cost-effective and less environmentally damaging than existing methods, this infrastructure is up to the task of processing waste from current operations, as well as removing residual traces of antiquated extraction activity. Petrom’s planned waste management facilities will be capable of the processing, partial recovery and, where necessary, proper disposal of solid residues from its ongoing operations. The infrastructure will also be used to decontaminate huge quantities of polluted soil, resulting from Petrom’s large scale abandonment programme as the oil giant moves to decommission thousands of decaying oil wells.

With Petrom setting its sights on the highest corporate environmental standards, Halcrow and Ramboll have been commissioned to provide design, permitting and construction tender documentation services for this hugely important, expensive programme. The team will also supervise the construction of a network of bioremediation plants and waste landfills across the country. In practical terms, the Halcrow-Ramboll project will focus on establishing the physical bioremediation and landfill infrastructure, and kick-starting their operations. The scheme is shot through with Petrom’s overarching objective to fulfil increasingly stringent corporate, social and regulatory obligations. Halcrow’s Romanian environment team is collaborating with both the water and power, and transportation business groups to deliver this complex contract. Project director Stewart Neal is leading the scheme, with Lindsay Renfrew and Catalin Paunescu managing design activities, and George Stoian overseeing the environmental and permitting components. Halcrow’s regional environment director, Steve Paley, who manages relations with this important client, said: “Petrom seeks out the highest standards, and has come to expect effective, reliable technical solutions, delivered smoothly – on time and to budget. It is imperative that we maintain the level of service our client has come to expect from Halcrow.”

Inset: Cracking up – Undercliff Drive following a landslip

Project profiles Celebrating excellence

Wight

The candidate for the job Commission win to find new transport routes after landslip Halcrow has been commissioned to investigate alternative, sustainable transport route options inland of Undercliff Drive – a stretch of road on the Isle of Wight’s south coast, badly damaged by a landslip in the winter of 2000/01. With over 20 consultants expressing an interest and nine invited to tender, the win represents a significant success for Halcrow. Feedback from the client, the Isle of Wight Council, indicated that Halcrow was selected on the quality of its bid – which scored highly in all areas – rather than price. The A3055 Undercliff Drive is an important section of the island’s highway infrastructure, linking the West Wight area to the coastal towns of Ventnor, Shanklin and Sandown and the rest of East Wight. The area is home to many residential properties plus a number of local businesses. It is also an area of outstanding natural beauty and a site of special scientific interest. It’s a popular tourist destination, with businesses relying on the A3055 as a strategic route linking the south east of the island to the south west. The team will explore options for the stretch of road between Ventnor and Niton. In the past, coastal slope instability has caused repeated damage to the A3055, pavements and services, and the loss of homes

and businesses. Climate change is likely to increase land instability in the future, rendering Undercliff Drive unsustainable in the long-term. Halcrow’s findings will be presented to the council in December and will cover options such as road repairs, a pedestrian and cycle greenway, as well as engineering solutions to keep the route functioning for as long as possible. The report will also examine potential permanent alternative inland route diversions and funding options. Stuart Love, director of environment and neighbourhoods for the Isle of Wight Council, commented: “Through Halcrow’s work, we will be able to consider a range of options and hopefully find a sustainable solution for this stretch of road.” Led by Roger Moore and Robin Wong, the commission will be carried out by a multi-disciplinary team from the transportation and consulting business groups. It will draw on resources from Halcrow’s offices across the UK – Chichester, Worcester, Birmingham, Cardiff, Swindon and London.

Back in the frame Halcrow has celebrated its reselection as one of five key suppliers within the UK’s Highways Agency’s £130 million technical consultancy services framework, building on its involvement since 2006. Supporting the operation and improvement of England’s motorways and major A-roads, Halcrow and its supply chain partners will provide advice in a range of areas, including network and asset management, standards and specification. The contract is for work commissioned over an 18-month period, with an optional 12-month extension. Signalling substantial investment, it aims to maintain the Highways 18

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Agency’s position at the forefront of technical innovation in the construction, maintenance and operation of the strategic road network. Market sector director Peter Elliott said: “Retaining our position on this high-profile framework is testimony to the excellent, consistent service we have provided over the years to the Highways Agency. My thanks to the bid team, led by Mike Birch and made up of team members from the transportation and consulting business groups, as well as the Highways Agency client account team. Their collaborative efforts produced an excellent submission within a very demanding time frame.”

Florida’s port industry tops the agenda

A double first for Sharjah road The first two interchanges of the largest road project in Sharjah – designed by Halcrow – officially opened to the public six days early, on 4 August. Sheikh Khalid Bin Saqer Al Qassimi, director general of the Sharjah public works department, took an inaugural drive over the flying saucer junction and through the cultural square underpass, before members of the public were given the green light.

“All the team should be very proud of delivering the project ahead of schedule,” said project director Adrian Manning. “This has been a fast track project, with all the difficulties associated with constructing major urban infrastructure.” It was also a proud moment for resident engineer Mike Johnston, who expressed his thanks and congratulations to the team at a special function after the dust settled. Journalists from online industry magazine Construction Week visited the site prior to its official opening.

Artist’s impression of Sharjah’s Al Wahda road

Halcrow’s scope of work for the project – part of the King Abdul Aziz Road improvement scheme, which began in 2006 – includes concept design through to construction management. Coming in at a total cost to Sharjah’s directorate of public works of £128 million, the entire project is due for completion in September 2010.

Once complete, the project will boast the first three-level interchange and the first single-point diamond interchange in Sharjah, significantly improving traffic flow in and around the city.

Halcrow co-sponsored a port summit in August with Jacksonville Port Authority, driving home the importance of the sector to Florida’s state representatives. Halcrow’s Lake Ray, himself a member of the Florida House of Representatives, promoted the importance of timely investment in the state’s ports to the 150-strong audience on 18 August. He was joined at the event by colleagues Jim Linder, Paul Starr and Robert West, who gave the keynote speech on the importance of the Panama Canal’s expansion to Florida. Lake commented: “This was an excellent showcase for Halcrow and its people, where we were able to demonstrate our extensive expertise and skill sets to numerous state-wide legislators and cabinet members, who are now beginning to discuss major funding for Florida’s port industry.”

Foot on the gas Reinforcing Halcrow’s reputation in the water and power industry, the electrical and energy team has secured a significant contract with Wales & West Utilities – venturing beyond its established areas of expertise.

An additional £3.12 billion in salaries is paid to 126,000 Floridians supporting the cruise line industry.

Delivered with oil and gas specialist IMEG, the 18-month project will provide design services for the refurbishment of 16 above-ground installations across the South Wales gas network. Design work will include specifications for equipment upgrades, replacement of obsolete technology, welded pipe-work design and repairs to building structures. As well as mechanical and electrical input, contributions to the bid came from a multi-disciplinary team drawn from various offices. Noise and environmental specialists in Bristol, topographical surveyors in Worcester and Cardiff-based civil engineering and geotechnical experts pitched in to deliver the survey cost estimates. And the development support unit helped Reduc ing pre ssure w ensure a professional, engaging bid was submitted supply ithin th netwo e gas within the testing time frame. rk, abo install ations ve-gro fi u lt nd e r for dis and co tributio ndition n to ho Bid manager Andrea Halman commented: “I gas and po mes, fa wer st ctories ations would particularly like to thank Trevor Thorogood infrast . This e ructur ssentia e inclu for his expert contribution to this bid and the l contro des va ls and lves, suppo multitude of regional office managers that provided r t e quipm for the ent excellent support to the process. We are increasingly pipelin es. demonstrating to clients the breadth of our skills and our ability to deliver projects in skill areas not traditionally associated with Halcrow.”

Safety

first

BIG MAN!

Dames point bridge, Florida

Florida has 14 deep water ports generating £442 billion in gross product annually – some 9 per cent of the state’s economy. Furthermore, the ports directly employ 550,000 people and are indirectly responsible for a shared annual income of £39 billion.

Profiling Halcrow’s operation in Europe’s best performer hile many of its neighbours were sideswiped by the recessionary sledgehammer, Poland has shirked the downward trend, riding out 2009 as a stand-out performer in the 27-member European Union (EU). Halcrow’s Polish business remains equally resilient and looks set to expand further as the country shakes off the last vestiges of the credit crunch.

Recording growth every year since 1992, Poland’s economy has expanded by just under 1 per cent in the first quarter of 2009. Hardly chart-topping by previous standards, but it places Poland, which avoided a credit binge during the boom years, in an enviable position the only EU member to avoid an outright recession. Considerable foreign investment, steady demand within Poland’s 38 million-strong domestic market and a relatively low dependence on external markets also make it less vulnerable to plummeting exports. Of the ten newest member states, Poland is the largest recipient of EU accession funds, receiving one third of the total budget for the period 2007-2013 – £57 billion – for infrastructure development. Of this, around £21 billion will be earmarked for transport, with £15.2 billion allocated to improve environmental infrastructure. Significant funding is being poured into roads, railways, stadia, hotels and other infrastructure development, as Europe’s sixth largest country kicks off preparations to host the European football championship in 2012 (Euro 2012) jointly with Ukraine. Eight major 20

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airports, for example, will be overhauled and modernised before football fans descend on Poland’s cities. Halcrow’s air transport team is also helping Ukraine prepare for the championship, undertaking a complete review of the proposed £270 million development of Lviv City’s airport. The sum of this activity points to a host of exciting opportunities for Halcrow. Mirroring the country’s upward trajectory since joining the EU in 2004, Halcrow’s business in Poland has gone from strength to strength. Since opening its doors in 2005 with a team of two, the company now operates four offices – in Warsaw, Katowice, Gdansk and Lodz – and employs 60 people. In July 2008, a lack of space prompted the Warsaw team’s relocation. Over the past five years, Halcrow has developed an extensive project portfolio, including several large-scale contracts, as well as diversifying into new markets. With sixteen projects currently on the go, most of Halcrow’s business groups are represented within the local team, which functions across a wide range of sectors from transportation and water to environmental protection. Notable successes include the seminal E65 railway project, flood-related work on the Odra river, highways design and build pilot studies, and the Lodz water supply and wastewater treatment plant project. With the recent E65 win – the first detailed high-speed railway feasibility study in Poland, worth more than £10 million – Halcrow has consolidated its reputation as the top rail consulting company

into the record books

Sharjah’s Diftah-Shis highway blasted its way into the record books on 1 October as Halcrow’s project team completed the first of two tunnel breakthroughs, creating the United Arab Emirates’ (UAE) longest rock tunnel. As consultant to the Sharjah government’s Directorate of Public Works, Halcrow is responsible for the design and supervision of the road tunnel. The project scope includes the construction of a 9km stretch of dual two-lane carriageway mountain road, a 1.3km twin bore tunnel and an interchange and single carriageway link road to Shis village. Preparing to install the liner form work

Weir on Odra river, Wroclaw, Poland

in Poland. Unswerving commitment from regional managing director Jarek Karpiejuk and the entire team was instrumental in sealing the deal. Having recently signed a contract with the Polish roads agency (GDDKiA), the transportation team will provide technical advisory services for the concessionaire design stage of the A1 toll motorway between Nowe Marzy and Czerniewice. As well as growing exponentially, Halcrow’s Polish operation is rapidly diversifying. As part of a Scott Wilson-led consortium, it secured a contract to design, procure and supervise the construction of a flood relief channel and flood defences for the City of Wroclaw. With a capital value of £155 million, the project will run for six years. Representing an initial step towards developing a water resources and flood capability in Poland, the win looks set to propel Halcrow’s burgeoning business into new areas. The company’s established presence and global reputation, embedded within the Polish market over 20 years, sets it apart from competitors. A mere five years after launching its business in Poland, Halcrow is swiftly becoming synonymous with innovative infrastructure solutions as it strengthens its local presence.

Project manager Paul Cooper commented: “Given the surveying challenges in this environment and terrain, it is a fantastic result that we broke through with less than 150mm misclosure.” Winding through some of the steepest ranges in the Hajjar mountains, the Halcrowdesigned scheme forms part of a strategic road link, and is set to slash the time taken to distribute goods from Khor Fakkan port throughout the UAE. The 9km Diftah-Shis section is the first phase of a proposed 26km direct route that will cut directly across the mountain range, reducing the distance between Khor Fakkan and Sharjah. Paul adds: “Completion of these tunnels means that the Shis village will be accessible by a high-quality paved road rather than the current mix of narrow roads and wadi tracks. It’s marvellous to be part of a project that provides such tangible benefits to a community.” The tunnelling phase saw the team blast through the rock with explosives. They then stabilised the tunnel with rock bolts and spray concrete (shotcrete), before lining it with a waterproof membrane and permanent concrete inner shell.

The team inspects the work face

Light at the end of the tunnel

Breaking

Halcrow floats Navy’s boat Rosyth dockyard redesign for new fleet of aircraft carriers

he historic naval dockyard at Rosyth in Fife, Scotland, is being modified to accommodate the assembly of the UK’s new fleet of aircraft carriers.

The new design has been created by Halcrow and dockyard owners Babcock Engineering Services (BES). It’s part of the £4.6 billion Carrier Vessel Future programme, and will allow for the complete assembly and trial of the vessels. At 65,000 tonnes, the carriers – HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales – will be the largest ships ever constructed for the Royal Navy. The vessels will be constructed in blocks up to 20,000 tonnes at shipyards in Glasgow, Barrow in Furness and Southampton, before being transferred – partially fitted out – to Rosyth for assembly into completed vessels. BES initially employed Halcrow in 2002 to carry out studies for homeporting – providing a permanent base and assembly location for the huge vessels. This extended into a number of further studies, including preliminary designs and cost estimates for construction. In 2006, Halcrow was appointed to design the alterations that would allow the dockyard – built in 1916 – to accommodate the vessels in its existing Dock No.1 and to allow them through the direct entrance to the non-tidal basin. Providing 95 per cent of the detailed design and construction supervision services, Halcrow also managed the activities of naval architecture sub consultants.

Up up and away – an aircarft carrier’s launching pad

The £35 million modification works are now fully underway by contractor Edmund Nuttall. The 315m-long, 42m-wide Dock 1 and the direct entrance are being reprofiled and widened to accommodate the new vessel hull

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form. Dock No.1 is to be straddled by a 1,100 tonne capacity goliath crane – one of the largest of its kind – which will join Fife’s world famous Forth Railway Bridge as part of the skyline. Led by Jim Johnston, Tom Aikman and John McLaren, the design of the upgrades was managed from Halcrow’s Glasgow office, with support from teams in Swindon, Crawley and Pushin Vineyard House. the boat g out The Quee n Elizabe th class aircraft ca Babcock’s project director, rriers are a two-ship class of v Sean Donaldson, essel bein g develop the UK’s commented: “The ed for Royal Na vy and are to enter serv expected completion of the works ice betwe en 2014 a 2018. The within the planned nd y will rep lace the a Invincible timescale and budget, geing class aircr aft carrie at 65,000 despite significant rs, and tonnes an d 280m lo they will challenges, is testament ng be capab le of carr to the efforts of the team ying up to 50 a ircraft ea ch. involved.”

Fit for a queen Halcrow servic

es included: ¢ design of widened Dock No. gate, extended ship caisson 1 and direct entrance, new intermediate dock ¢ design of foundations for and sliding caisson gates the lowered skidding system for goliath crane, upgraded dock services, strengthened Synchrolift bui moving blocks up to 20,000 tonnes, ¢ computational fluid dynam lding, berthing dolphins and steel access bridges ics numerical wind models to stu analysis for vessels alongside trails and dy wind effects created ¢ design and supervision of site investigations, cost estimaby the goliath crane strategy advice, tender tes, contract ¢ supervision of constructiondocuments and support to award of contract, and construction design ma coordinator services nagement

Halcrow’s ship comes in Jacksonville Dames Point project wins top US award Halcrow has won the most prestigious prize in the North American maritime calendar for its innovative and sustainable dredging solution at the Jacksonville Dames Point container terminal. A division of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), the Coasts, Oceans, Ports and Rivers Institute’s (COPRI) Project Excellence competition awarded the 2009 ‘large project winner’ gong to Halcrow against stiff competition. Halcrow was brought in as lead consultant to help deliver Jacksonville Port Authority (JAXPORT)’s flagship facility – one of the largest container ports on the US east coast. The team gained the necessary permits and designed and managed construction in an intense 42-month programme, finishing on time and within budget. Jacksonville-based project manager Paul Starr said: “This award is hugely significant for the company and the maritime business group. It recognises and rewards the exacting approach that characterises every project Halcrow takes on. It also further cements the growing reputation of the business across the North American region.” The challenging project – completed in January 2009 – successfully met a dizzying array of environmental regulations. The team not only made use of all the materials available, but minimised the environmental impacts generated by such an enormous project. This included the effect on salt and freshwater wetlands and the

Glasgow get up and

preservation of a 12ha freshwater wetland. The team also managed to avoid having to reclaim the St Johns River and ensured the continued operation of Jacksonville’s dredge spoil sites. Paul added: “The dredging methodology adopted was ambitious, but proved enormously successful. Our solution put many of the sustainability issues that were important to JAXPORT and the local environmental agencies at the heart of the project.”

Healthy working lives award triumph Halcrow’s City Park office in Glasgow has shaken off Scotland’s stereotypical image as a deep-fried Mars Bar and Irn-Bru-loving region – by achieving the bronze award from Healthy Working Lives (HWL). HWL is a programme that helps Scottish organisations promote healthy living both in and away from the office. Halcrow is the first engineering consultancy in Scotland to achieve this status by cultivating glowing good health en masse. It joins clients such as BAA and ScotRail, as well as several local authorities.

“The award is the result of considerable work by a number of key people – most notably Lorraine Johnston and Peter Campbell of the health and safety team, as well as our office HWL group – over the past year or two,” says Donald. “But most importantly, thanks to everyone at City Park who has taken this positive cultural change to heart.”

Regional director Donald Bell said: “Gaining the bronze award was a key target we set for ourselves when we moved to the City Park premises, and it demonstrates that we have been successful in creating a positive, health-conscious culture for our employees. This award is evidence of our commitment to providing a healthy and positive working environment.” The achievement reflects the health-related initiatives that Halcrow has adopted and supported across the company, including the sustainable travel week Spring into Action, as well as sports teams and activities.

Picture of health: Donald Bell and the Glasgow team

New weir for River Lam

bourn increases wat

er velocity

Awards Longbridge Birmingham: Developmentachievement Celebrating begins...

Pool and traverse fish pass for River Lambourn

ouble

thumbs up from the ICE

Two Halcrow projects have scooped awards at the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) Thames Valley engineering awards for 2009 – both in the environmental project category. Halcrow’s River Lambourn restoration in Newbury came top of the list, with the Grafton Lock refurbishment in Lechlade highly commended by the judges. The awards recognise civil engineering projects completed in the UK’s Thames Valley area over the last year that best reflect the ICE’s global vision of civil engineers working at the heart of society, delivering sustainable development through knowledge, skills and professional expertise. Judgements were based on criteria such as creativity and innovation, sustainability and environmental sensitivity, and benefits to the client and wider public. The chair of the judging panel, Howard Larkin, said: “The recipients have excelled in delivering projects which combine a commitment to innovation, creativity and social value with a culture of safety and sustainability. I congratulate them all for demonstrating the important contribution that civil engineers make to the Thames Valley.” Halcrow’s regional director for water in Europe, Roland Grzybek, commented: “This is fantastic news for Halcrow and both of the project teams deserve the success they have received. Winning the environmental category highlights Halcrow’s commitment to sustaining and improving the quality of people’s lives.”

Winning ways The River Lambourn project aimed to restore the river – a site of special scientific interest – to a chalk stream with fast flowing water over a clean river bottom. The judges were particularly taken with the care shown during construction to prevent damage to nearby protected lime trees. They were also impressed by the use of engineering solutions that were sympathetic to the natural environment and will require minimal future maintenance. Grafton Lock was originally built in 1896 and was badly in need First boat through com pleted Grafton Lock of repair. The project’s scope extended to include a new canoe portage and bank protection works. Judges were impressed with the careful consideration given to local wildlife – an otter and 5,000 fish of various species were protected during the works. The use of local labour for the lock woodwork and tropical wood from a sustainable source was also praised. The new Grafton Loc

Learning curves Toronto university building scoops design excellence award

The team provided full structural engineering services for the landmark building. The 15,799 m², 12-storey facility accommodates teaching laboratories, lecture theatres and research facilities. A dramatic five-storey, light-filled glass atrium features two silver-coloured pods, which contain lecture halls and an assembly space. The pods are suspended in mid-air by steel rods, using innovative engineering techniques and structural steel. The project won an award of merit at the 2009 Excellence in Structural Engineering awards, presented by the Structural Engineers Association of Illinois. The award programme celebrates projects that demonstrate creative achievement in structural engineering through innovative structural design.

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Lofty lessons: lecture halls suspended by steel rods

There were high-fives all round for Halcrow’s property business group when the design excellence of the University of Toronto’s Leslie Dan Pharmacy Building was recognised.

An all time high For Toronto fans of high-style architectural modernism, the elite apartment building at 130 Bloor St. West has been a place of pilgrimage since it was built in the 1960s. A recent renovation and extension project has strengthened its ‘wow factor’, winning the 2009 Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC) award of excellence for innovation in architecture. Halcrow’s property team in Toronto provided full structural engineering services for the project – all without mussing a hair among the current residents, who maintained occupancy throughout the works. Significant structural work to update and reinforce the existing building was needed, and the team also had to preserve the heritage listing of the existing residential space. Once completed, the resulting building will house 14 new luxury condominiums, nine floors of office space and one floor of prime retail space. The RAIC jury praised the project as delivering: “… important approaches in the practice and process of complex, high-density projects. Great inventiveness in logistical planning and technical sophistication is apparent. New extensions on top of existing buildings will become an interesting trend, and creative solutions such as these offer important lessons.”

Praise for New York Sound investment pier schemes pays dividends Following the company’s reaccreditation by Investors in People (IIP) in October 2008, Halcrow has received a bronze award – recognising its achievement above and beyond standard requirements. By demonstrating additional evidence across the assessment framework, Halcrow became one of just 179 organisations in the UK to secure this award. This represents less than 1 per cent of companies undertaking the IIP assessment – an outstanding result. The award criteria focused on areas such as employee development, feedback Bridget Walford and recognition. The assessors were impressed by the improvement Halcrow showed in a number of areas since the Your scores last assessment three years ago. Several scores that were In 2008, em ployees wer previously ‘pass’ or ‘good’ e asked to rate how had been elevated to ‘very good Halcrow was as a place to wor good’ and ‘excellent’ this k. Out of a sc or e of 1 to 5 (1 time around. = Employees successfully demonstrated Halcrow’s embedded values and strongly ethical corporate culture – while managers were praised for being approachable and encouraging development in their team members.

low, 5= high a heart-war ), ming 4.6 was the average resp onse. Overall, 90 per cent of employees interviewed said that th ey would not be intere sted in leav ing Halcrow, w ith less than 10 per cent saying they would leave only if they were offere d more money else where.

A royal commendation

This ambitious project included: • a seven-storey addition to the existing 14-storey building • major renovations to the retail level and the office space – where the existing 11th and 12th floors were converted to residential units • a restoration programme for the celebrated 1960s style penthouse apartment

130 Bloor St. West (courtesy of Quadrangle Architects Limited/DesignStor)

The announcement was made on 24 September at the awards event in Glasgow, which honoured the best of 1,700 entries in 21 individual industry sectors, including construction, healthcare, engineering and education. RoSPA awards manager Dave Rawlins said: “Halcrow has shown a commitment to protecting the health and wellbeing of its employees and others.” Group health and safety director Nigel Valvona added: “It is fantastic to have exceeded our performance at the 2008 awards. The accolade is testament to the efforts of the company. The improvements made are clearly demonstrated by this award, and also by our recent OSHAS18001 accreditation – improvements which I feel have been made possible by employees truly taking on board Halcrow’s core safety values.”

Halcrow’s Peter Campbell receiving the RoSPA certificate

Halcrow built on previous successes at the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) awards when it scooped a ‘highly commended’ accolade in the commercial and business services sector category this year.

Any port in a financial storm

Key player at PPP influencer event

Halcrow’s regional managing director, Mike Della Rocca, chaired an H209 Forum roundtable discussion at New Jersey’s Liberty Science Center on 9 September. The event was organised to celebrate the 400th anniversary of Englishman Henry Hudson’s discovery of the eponymous river in 1609, and the strong ties between Holland and the US.

Following US president Obama’s publicly-stated vow to earmark £5 billion for rail improvements and an additional £3 billion for up to ten high-speed rail links across the US, Halcrow experts headed to Washington DC in late September for the ‘de facto’ transport conference of the year. The 21st Public Private Ventures in Transportation conference, hosted by the American Road & Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA), represents an unprecedented gathering of the great and the good from government, industry and politics.

The revitalising ports and cities topic drew a packed audience to hear the views of top industry figures, including Halcrow’s Dennis Padron. Other prestigious speakers included executive level directors Chris Ward of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ), Bertrand van Ee of DHV and Michael Christensen of the Port of Los Angeles.

Halcrow’s Brian Howells was instrumental in pulling the conference together. He was joined by Halcrow’s Tom Clark and Bob Brownstein.

Introducing the event, part of the wider ‘Water challenges for coastal cities – from the Dutch Delta to New York Harbor’ series of seminars, Mike said: “We are in a period of significant change for ports and port authorities, but there are peaks of growth across the world. While container traffic is down 25 per cent, there has been huge investment in the Panama Canal, opening up new channels of opportunity.

Brian moderated several sessions at the conference and co-hosted the ‘entrepreneurs and projects of the year’ lunch. As incoming president, he also delivered the conference’s closing remarks.

“Against this backdrop, the industry is looking at more sustainable solutions to the challenges of sea level rises, climate change and shifts in vessel size. Ports are engines of economic growth on a regional, national and global basis. They have been drivers of the past and they will continue to be drivers of the future.” Among the many dignitaries speaking at the event were Robert F Kennedy Jnr and Dutch ministers of state.

Recently appointed president of the ARTBA PPV board, UK-based Brian is the first international head of any ARTBA board and now sits on its executive committee. The ARTBA PPV division is a think tank of some of the leading public private partnership (PPP) experts in the North American region.

In addition, New York-based Bob Brownstein, head of Halcrow’s high speed rail initiative – designated a key target under the company’s major projects programme – delivered two key note speeches. “This was an excellent platform for Halcrow to showcase its world-leader status in both the PPP and high-speed rail fields,” acknowledged Bob. “We leveraged our global reputation in front of an audience primed with hunger for the type of skill sets that the company employed when delivering High Speed 1 between London and Paris – on time and on budget.” In conclusion, Brian said: “The feedback was highly complimentary. Next year will again see us play a significant role in the conference, keeping us in the limelight to meet our long-term strategy of raising our profile and winning more work.”

A cocktail of P3 opportunities Halcrow’s New York office clocked up a first when it hosted the International Project Finance Association’s (IPFA) latest US meeting – a first for the company – on 17 September.

Mike Della Rocca (far left) takes questions from the floor

Around 100 people attended the round-table discussion that boasted a host of prestigious heavy-hitters from the world of public private partnerships (P3), focusing on ‘P3 – the regional dimension’.

Among the industry experts that took part were Samara Barend of the New York Commission on State Maximization and Anne Rabin of Jeffrey Parker & Associates. Halcrow’s Jonathan Startin also delivered a keynote speech, while Pierre Vilain chaired the meeting.

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Past president James Weinstein, Brian Howells, the Federal Highways Administration’s Victor Mendes and outgoing president Pamela Bailey-Campbell

Longbridge Birmingham: Business beat Development Profiling our begins... expertise

State of the

nation

An interview with chief executive Peter Gammie s 2009 draws to a close, it remains a challenging time. With commentators cautiously signalling that – in general terms – the sharpest recessionary bite has passed, the worst of the slump may now be waning. But while confidence is gradually trickling back into major markets, any recovery is likely to be incremental and hard-fought. As chief executive Peter Gammie explained: “The real test for Halcrow is yet to come – when the effects of stalled projects and the freeze on investment hit the infrastructure pipeline.”

Overall, the company is behind budget and projections for the year end indicate it will remain so, although the business will be profitable. Profit for the first nine months stands at £9 million, against a target of £16 million. Although Halcrow remains profitable, several UK markets are struggling with an unrelenting downturn. As a result, the company has had to reduce employee numbers to more effectively match up its resources and workload. Peter commented: “The board delayed this difficult decision as long as possible, but ultimately had to take action to ensure the sustainability of the business. This has unfortunately resulted in redundancies.” Despite sluggish market conditions in some sectors, Halcrow still has significant projects coming online in the UK. Peter sheds some light on one significant recent development with the Highways Agency: “We successfully completed the mobilisation phases and have now started work on both Area 7 and Area 12 with A-one+. This is an exciting and dynamic area, where we dominate the market, and which continues to offer opportunities across a number of skill groups.” With such examples of success dotted around the business, Peter said: “I urge employees to be flexible about where they are prepared to work and what they are prepared to do, as some teams have expansion potential.” This includes a handful of Halcrow’s smaller markets, such as Latin America, Australia,

India, Poland and Romania, which are making impressive progress. Business in these regions is doing well, and the company is looking to expand its operations in several of these areas. However, the Dubai market remains fairly depressed with many clients still cautious about their investment plans. As a result, both the property and maritime business groups are encountering difficult conditions.

Our clients are facing the same challenges as we are And Halcrow’s North American operation faces an uphill battle with property and maritime – the company’s primary interests in the region – confronting lethargic markets. Despite the slowdown, work is still being secured. Prospects for the medium-long-term remain positive, with promising opportunities for ongoing growth in the region. Across the remaining business groups, transportation remains a welcome bright spot, exceeding budget. Water and power has been hit hard by a major project in the Middle East, for which the company has had to make significant provisions as a result. Although consulting has also been buffeted by difficult markets in Dubai and the UK, its healthy forward pipeline of work is encouraging. The 3Cs – clients, cash and costs – remain an indispensible focal point for Peter: “They are at the forefront of all that we do.” Halcrow’s recently launched client care campaign focuses on clients’ experiences of working with the company. Peter explained: “As the bulk of our contact with clients is at project level, this is where we will direct our efforts. We all have a role to play – whether as part of a team that delivers projects directly or supporting those that do. Our clients are facing the same challenges as we are, and strong relationships forged during these tough times will carry us forward when the inevitable upswing arrives.”

John Deighton addresses the gathering

Halcrow is now represented among the world’s leading business figures, international political leaders and intellectuals to discuss the most pressing issues facing the world – as an industry associate of the World Economic Forum.

A worthy cause John Deighton delivered the opening address at the 13th Project Finance Ball in London on behalf of its sponsor, the International Project Finance Association (IPFA), of which Halcrow is a founding member. Halcrow’s group project finance director is a serving member and non-executive director on the IPFA global council. Organised by international legal practice Norton Rose, the 10 September charity event was held in aid of the Dyspraxia Foundation. High-profile dyspraxia sufferer Daniel Radcliffe, star of the Harry Potter films, donated a copy of the latest Harry Potter novel signed by many of the cast. The next instalment in J.K. Rowling’s series of cult page-turners was sold as part of the evening’s silent auction.

Celebrity Lionel Blair with (from left) Julie Zirngast, Daisy Brooker and Laura Cafora from the IPFA secretarial team

On top of the world Overlooking the city of Davos

Business beat Profiling our expertise

Representing the interests of private companies and public sector organisations in project finance and public private partnerships throughout the world, the IPFA boasts 400 government, multilateral agency and private sector members. In addition to John’s input, Halcrow is also represented within the IPFA’s US branch by New York-based Pierre Vilain. Dyspraxia is a motor learning disability that can affect movement and co-ordination – the brain fails to process information correctly and messages are not properly transmitted to the body. There is no cure for dyspraxia, which affects 10 per cent of the population, with boys four times more likely to develop the condition than girls.

The company will attend the forum’s high-profile annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland, which provides leaders with a platform to shape the global agenda – and draws the world’s media in like moths to a flame. As associate, Halcrow will also participate in numerous other strategy meetings, play a role in developing various water and infrastructure initiatives, and gain access to public figures. The forum is an independent, international organisation incorporated as a Swiss not-for-profit foundation. With the motto ‘entrepreneurship in the global public interest’, its objective is to create a world-class corporate governance system where values are as important as rules. Led by the water and power business group’s managing director, Michael Norton, Halcrow is assisting the forum with its water initiative. The company is providing support for each of its three pillars – raising awareness, metrics and innovative government-private sector and community partnerships.

TEx ticks off The Technical Excellence (TEx) mentoring programme has sailed past the century mark, with 100 protégés now on its books. A breeding ground for fledgling technical talent, Halcrow’s TEx programme nurtures employees seeking to carve out a knowledge or research-focused career. Developed to boost Halcrow’s technical capabilities, it provides a framework to improve knowledge management and champion the successes of high-flying individuals and top projects. Reflecting on the mentoring scheme’s progress, programme manager Laura Baird comments: “We’ve had many more mentors sign up than we anticipated, demonstrating colleagues’ keenness to share their knowledge and skills, so it’s great we are now attracting more protégés as well.” The Technical Excellence database (TED) was recently launched by the management information services (MIS) team, providing an invaluable tool for mentors and protégés to record actions and monitor progress. Technical reviews on bids and projects are improving Halcrow’s competitive advantage, ensuring the company gets things right first time. Programme leader Nigel Pontee explains: “All business groups have developed guidance to involve our highly skilled technical leaders. This will lead to a step-change in the transfer of knowledge, improving both quality and cost effectiveness.” Awards for technical papers now lie within the TEx programme, with the explicit aim of broadening Halcrow’s input in journals and conference papers. Published papers and author profiles will be available on the TEx Halnet site. Laura says: “Integrating the awards within TEx will raise the profile of our technical experts and encourage more to put pen to paper.” To get involved, visit the Technical Excellence site on Halnet or email technicalexcellence@halcrow.com

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Counting the cost On 14 July, Halcrow assistant engineer Maria Santos organised a sustainability-themed evening for the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) and employees from Halcrow’s Swindon office, UK. Halcrow’s Tim Marshall gave an in-depth presentation of a carbon costing exercise carried out for Dwr Welsh Water (DCWW).

Crawley team curtails carbon Crawley commuters place pins on a map to show their journeys to work

High on the agenda are curbing carbon emissions, reducing resource consumption and casting a critical eye over the office’s approach to water, waste and recycling. Tasked with embedding sustainability within all office processes, the Crawley ‘green team’ has been pushing a number of initiatives to cut energy consumption and waste. Paper left neglected on printers is weighed and monitored – along with electricity use – on a monthly basis, with 2008 baseline data fleshing out reduction targets. Conversely, use of the video-conferencing facilities is also being measured, with the aim to increase uptake on last year’s figures.

Tim had project-managed the unique commission with Andrea Halman, with significant input from colleagues in the Burderop Park, Peterborough and Cardiff offices. The resoundingly successful evening was attended by 35 IET members and Halcrow employees, including Ray Lewington, the chairman of the IET’s Swindon committee. Herself a member of the IET’s regional committee, Maria promised: “In order to maintain and strengthen our relationship with the IET a future presentation called ‘renewable energy, wind, wave and biomass’ will be delivered by Sean Matthews in Swindon on 12 January 2010.”

Until recently the building’s waste operator separated the collected mixed rubbish at its depot – at a premium cost. As a result of Halcrow’s engagement with the building management company, a recycling skip and bins for paper, glass, plastic and cans have been brought in for all three businesses occupying the office. This has achieved the dual benefits of saving cash and promoting sustainable thinking in the wider business community. Immersing itself in Halcrow’s Spring into Action initiative earlier this year, the Crawley team has pushed hard to reduce the number of people driving to work. Free breakfasts for sustainable travellers and calling on single occupancy cars to donate to a local charity prompted many employees to seek out greener commuting options. Bus and train timetables were prominently displayed, and the true cost of driving was calculated – taking insurance, depreciation and maintenance costs into account – providing a further reason to avoid getting behind the wheel. To measure the impact of business travel, Crawley incorporated the transport component of the Environment Agency’s carbon calculator into its office diary, prompting people to fill in their travel distance and mode of transport. The team hope that with regular use, consideration of travel’s environmental costs will become second nature. Anything from kids’ toys to surplus televisions end up on the office’s ‘freecycle’ network, which encourages the team to recycle household items. And these myriad measures are just the beginning, as the Crawley team continually strives to reduce its environmental impact.

(L to r) IET’s Ray Lewington with Halcrow’s Paul Smith and Tim Marshall

Reinforcing the adage ‘think global, act local’, Halcrow’s UK Crawley office has implemented a host of measures to scale back its environmental impact.

Carbon models for several major DCWW future capital and maintenance works were based on real data for the component parts of each project and predictions of the energy required for their operation. The models were related to appropriate drivers – the diameter of a length of pipe work, or the kw rating for a pump, for example.

Sustainable solutions It’s in our hands

Great minds,

thinking alike Halcrow has gained a firmer footing on the world stage by becoming a member of the World Water Council, an international multi-stakeholder platform for global water concerns. This will boost the company’s profile in the international water arena.

About the council Established in 1996 in response to increasing concern about global water issues, the World Water Council aims to trigger action on critical water issues at all levels.

The move is in line with Halcrow’s recently approved water security strategy, which lays out plans for making a significant contribution to improving global water security. Membership will place the company at the centre of global efforts to alleviate water scarcity and bring potential opportunities to develop this area of the business.

Its 300-plus member organisations from more than 60 countries include international and inter-governmental institutions, public and private companies, governments, local authorities and research centres.

One of the council’s major accomplishments is its contribution to raising awareness of global water issues and political mobilisation through its world water forum, organised every three years. Held in Istanbul in March 2009, the fifth such event to take place attracted 35,000 participants.

Granted special consultative status by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) and the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), the council helps to shape policy and raise awareness in member states.

Halcrow’s business leader for water security, Richard Harpin, said: “Membership to the World Water Council will be key to further establishing Halcrow as a major player in world water security.”

Chinese city goes Cramming a century of economic development into little more than a generation, China’s accelerated industrialisation has ravaged its eco-systems and depleted its resources. A whopping 16 of the cities on the World Bank’s list of the 20 most polluted are in China. But the tide is turning – and fast. While China’s much-touted plans for eco-development have yielded mixed results, with delays and political hurdles dogging various projects, proposals for sustainable cities continue to be rolled out across the world’s most populous nation. Halcrow joined a team from Tsinghua University in Beijing, tasked with supporting the municipal region of Dalian’s application for eco city status. Bringing an international perspective on sustainable development, Halcrow identified elements of global schemes relevant to the region’s specific context and requirements. Beijing-based project manager Cathy Hu and London’s Robert Howard, project director, visited Dalian in March 2009. After delivering a presentation featuring international examples, the

Malan River runs through Dalian city

Halcrow duo packed the following two days with site visits across the region. Their findings from the trip were summarised in a report, forming part of the university’s submission to the municipality. Halcrow’s work in Dalian follows the successful delivery of a similar project in 2006. Cathy and Robert were closely involved in the World Bank-funded programme, assisting Chinese cities in their applications for eco city status.

Jutting out into the ocean from China’s north eastern seaboard, the 12,500km² Dalian peninsula is home to 6 million residents, with the population clustered around Dalian and Lushun cities. Over the past 25 years the region has experienced unprecedented industrial and population growth. Despite investment in modern manufacturing developments, the combination of restricted land area and concentration of industrial sites is still piling pressure on the Dalian metropolitan and coastal areas. Industries, including refining, chemical and steel manufacturing, release pollutants and contaminants into 30

Vox | issue four

lakes and rivers from sites just a short distance from residential areas. And the challenges are not restricted to urban centres, with Dalian’s rural landscape and coastline facing rapidly depleting natural habitats and rising coastal pollution. In the face of these deepening environmental issues and their effect on communities’ wellbeing, sustainable development increasingly appears the only viable option.

Former 1930s chemical works to be redeveloped for housing

Dalian dossier

Mayoral seal of approval With three quarters of London’s 18 million tonne annual rubbish mountain produced by businesses, concerted change by companies could turn the capital’s waste tide and contribute to the target of slashing carbon emissions by 60 per cent by 2025. In recognition of Halcrow’s drive to embed green purchasing principles within its operations, the supply chain management team secured a bronze award through the Mayor of London’s Green Procurement Code scheme.

A force for good Halcrow’s united front at sustainable development forum When the global consulting engineering industry issued a call to arms in September, urging its members to show leadership in finding sustainable solutions to climate change, Halcrow braced its shoulders and stepped up to the mark. Group board members Peter Gammie, Tony Pryor and Les Buck – together with consultants Florencia Roitstein from Buenos Aires, Warren Bradley from Swindon and Luobing Liu from Shanghai – were out in force at this year’s International Federation of Consulting Engineers (FIDIC) conference in London. The company gave a number of presentations and took an active role in the three-day debate on the need to provide sustainable solutions to the challenges of developing infrastructure, as the world’s population continues to expand and the earth gets warmer. As the global consulting engineering industry’s representative body, the FIDIC annual conference is a landmark forum for the industry. This year, the event was opened by Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal, Princess Anne. It was staged by UK member the Association for Consultancy and Engineering (ACE) and Les Buck was a member of the organising committee. Les said: “The consulting engineering industry touches the lives of everyone and addresses head on some of the biggest issues of the time – such as population growth, climate change, urbanisation, energy, and water scarcity. Building sustainable infrastructure is a key part of achieving targets set out in the Kyoto agreement, which was signed by governments from around the world to stem the effects of human destruction on the planet.” Among the themes discussed were: the need to invest in the right people and start the education process early within the industry; how to boost performance in geographical hotspots; definitions of sustainable design in infrastructure; and the role of government and the private sector in funding infrastructure. Peter Gammie stated: “Halcrow is committed to taking responsibility for the impact that the thinking and actions behind its work have on communities, their economies and their wellbeing.” “We also need, as an industry, to be more unified, so that we can influence politicians and other decision-makers through our thought leadership,” said Les. “Our work needs to be more integrated with that of other professions, including business and political leaders, scientists, sociologists, financiers and economists, so that we can help create planned, integrated solutions.”

Supported by the London Development Agency – the mayor’s agency for economic growth – and delivered by recycling and waste management specialist London Remade, the code provides practical advice and online resources to help companies make greener procurement decisions. By signing up, organisations commit to achieving progressive environmental targets and are awarded bronze, silver or gold status as a mark of their success. Halcrow’s award followed analysis of its expenditure and supplier contracts across a range of categories and an audit carried out by London Remade. Praising the team, group sustainability director Andrew Kluth puts the achievement in perspective: “In 2007-08 – the most recent year for which full results have been published – of the 126 companies to submit progress reports, 49 entered their data for third party review. Of these, just 39 received a gold, silver or bronze award while the remainder stayed at entry level. It is a reflection of the quality of Halcrow’s core procurement processes that we should have won an award in our entry year.” Since its launch in 2001, the Green Procurement Code scheme has diverted 1.3 million tonnes of waste from landfill and spent £379 million on green products. In 2006, this resulted in 175,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide savings – the equivalent yearly emissions of over 29,000 UK households.

Sustainable solutions It’s in our hands

y l l a i c o S uplifting

David Crosbie wit h famous local musician Pau l Nabor

On the back of a Halcrow project in Belize, London’s David Crosbie has authored a United Nations (UN)-sponsored report proposing an alternative structure to support the world’s most deprived communities. David was awarded an honorarium from UN-Habitat – the United Nations agency for human settlements – to conduct the study, which re-evaluated the World Bank’s global social investment fund programme. The resulting report recommended an entirely new approach to delivering social funds. Conceived in the mid-1980s to alleviate poverty and stimulate social infrastructure projects in Latin America, social fund mechanisms have gained momentum, emerging as a useful way to fast-track community-based schemes on the ground. While popular and effective, social funds are not without their weaknesses, which largely relate to their financial sustainability. David’s work proposes potential solutions to this issue and other obstacles. The report advocates the inclusion of affordable housing or access to housing for low income groups within social fund projects, as well as considering the role of existing micro-credit organisations. Through an enhanced savings and credit model, the report argues, the social fund model could eventually shake off its current donor dependency. Mayan village huts

Download a free copy of the full report at: www.unhabitat.org/pmss/getPage.asp?page=bookView&book=2780 32

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Images of Southside in Belize, an area characterised by unplanned settlements, squatting and crime

Each year the Centennial charity supports over 500 children with a wide range of abilities and disabilities including Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, autism, congenital anomalies, brain damage and many other special needs. The centre provides a wealth of services including an early intervention programme, pre-school and kindergarten facilities as well as child care consultations and parent/infant groups. Halcrow Yolles’ Toronto-based engineer Jennifer Watson sponsored the request for £20,000, which pays for the services of an occupational

therapist for three days a week, having witnessed first hand the positive impact they have on the lives of the children involved. Nearly all the children receiving services from Centennial have a disability that requires some sort of occupational therapy. Public funding of these highly specialised treatments is extremely limited and most services have waiting lists of six months to one year. With two part-time occupational therapists, the children that benefit from their skills are far better equipped to move into integrated school classrooms, play with their peers, interact with their family and teachers, and be as independent as possible.

Rebecca discovers over adversity Rebecca Robinson, a HOPE Program student, successfully completed a three-month internship as an office services assistant at Halcrow’s New York office in September.

Park life London transport planners Raymond Logan and Lee Kirby dug deep for charity when they entered the London Duathlon in London’s Richmond Park in September.

The experience gave the 27-year-old her first taste of corporate life – and Halcrow its first HOPE intern. Rebecca took to the challenge with professionalism and enthusiasm.

The dynamic duo ran 10km, cycled 20km – and topped off this herculean effort by running a further 5km. Having completed the challenge, the athletes recovered with a well deserved picnic in the park.

Her stint at the Cortlandt Street premises followed her enrolment in a 12-week job readiness training course run by the Brooklyn-based HOPE Program in May. The programme is supported by the Halcrow Foundation, which is donating £40,000 to the charity over a three-year period.

Beating their £500 target, they raised a total of £560 for Halcrow Foundation-sponsored charity the Foundation for the Relief of Disabled Orphans (F.R.O.D.O.), which helps vulnerable and disabled orphans in Romania.

Lisa Cezair, senior human resources generalist for the US, said: “Rebecca worked tremendously well with the office services team and grew to become a valued assistant in ensuring facilities and maintenance services were run adequately throughout the office.” Rebecca enjoyed her experience and appreciated the opportunity to build new competencies, including organisational skills and time management. “All the staff are wonderful,” she said. “The internship gets me up in the morning!” Within a few weeks of leaving Halcrow, we are delighted to report that Rebecca received a job offer to care for children at a daycare centre at a large gym/health spa in Brooklyn. Well done, Rebecca! Rebecca with Michael Della Rocca

Donations can still be made at www.justgiving.com/Halcrow-duathlon Raymond Logan (left) and Lee Kirby

he life changing and transformational powers of occupational therapy will continue to reap rewards at Toronto’s Centennial Infant and Child Centre, thanks in part to the Halcrow Foundation.

Occupational therapists work with children at the centre

Therapy lifeline

Lord of the rafts

On 11 July – a day that promised sleet, slush and torrential rain – a team of Halcrow hikers set out on a 16km hike across England’s Peak District, to raise money for WaterAid.

James Hern, Patrycja Scully, Nadezhda Rojas and Kevin Kong – racing as Halcrow Sink and Swim – were amongst 26 teams attempting to snatch the title of ‘Lord of the Rafts 2009’. Each team propelled their self-designed and constructed twin-hulled rafts around the 1.6km course on the River Thames, decked out in Lord of the Flies-inspired fancy dress.

Intrepid volunteers Xuan Li, Alison Mallows, Eva van Maren and Mandhy Senewiratne from Halcrow, together with Gareth Mallows (Farrer) and Janet Bulbick (Anglian Water) all signed up. Despite being two members down due to illness – Halcrow’s Laura Roberts and Eraclis Anastassiades were unable to make it – the team decided to continue with the hike. Eraclis and Laura were still able to play a part, cheering from their sick beds and checking the global positioning system (GPS) to ensure that the team was not lost. Gore-tex clad from head to toe and carrying waterproofs, scarves, spare socks and torches to light the way through the expected mist and fog, the remaining six set out. Setting a leisurely pace due to the range of fitness levels within the team, they were spurred on by the knowledge that there are 1.1 billion people worldwide without clean water and sanitation, some of whom will be helped by the funds raised. True to the unpredictable nature of the British summer, despite the team’s preparations for a torrential downpour, barely a drop of rain was felt. Mandhy said: “It was a glorious day to be outside. So when we came across an aptly named ‘Hikers Bar’, just before the half way point, it was too hot to go by without stopping for a drink.” Refuelled, the team completed the challenge in five hours and 36 minutes, before heading off to join the hundreds of other participants, to tend to blisters and enjoy further celebrations. The team raised nearly £450, as Mandhy commented: “It’s a positive sign that even in these credit crunched times, people have not forgotten the plight of others.” On 12 July it rained in the Peak District. All day. (Top left, clockwise) Eva Van Maren, Alison Mallows, Gareth Mallows, Xuan Li, Mandhy Senewiratne and Janet Bulbick

Crossing the finish line in 22nd place – 3rd out of the traditionally constructed rafts – Halcrow’s paddlers completed the course in just over one hour. Despite falling behind the leading group before the half-way point, the team battled on through the rain – flying the (bedraggled) flag for Halcrow. The team’s efforts – including support from non-rowing members Peter Dawson, Rizwan Rizvi, Donald Adeh and Abby Appleton – netted £609 for the charity WaterAid.

Conquering Kilimanjaro With his legs shaking and lungs on fire, Floyd Meenan took the last few steps to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro on 16 September. The Dubai-based project coordinator surveyed the Tanzanian plains and scrubland some 5,895m below as his double achievement sank in. Not only had Floyd just climbed the highest peak in Africa, but he and three friends – who made it to 5,681m before succumbing to altitude sickness – raised nearly £10,000 for the Aplastic Anaemia Trust (AAT). A rare disorder which affects bone marrow, aplastic anaemia results in an inability to replenish blood cells and is particularly serious in child patients. In addition to funding research and treatment, the AAT provides support for sufferers and their families – including the son of Floyd’s friend and climbing companion, Jason Perks. Reflecting on his epic five-day climb, Floyd said: “This is a charity which is very close to our hearts, and I’m delighted at the support we’ve received. Although it was tough we had a fantastic time and it was an amazing experience – I’d recommend it to anyone!” Floyd and friends have raised 60 per cent of their targeted £15,000. Donations can still be made at www.justgiving.com/fibbersadventureclub

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(L to r) Kevin Kong, James Hern, Nadezhda Rojas and Patrycja Scully

Storm dodgers hike for WaterAid

Donning their life jackets, wastewater engineers from the UK’s Halcrow Reading office lashed together plastic barrels for Thames Water’s annual raft race on 23 July.

Floyd Meean celebrates reaching the summit

Giving generously Halcrowa Foundation Spread little happiness

Peak practice Teaming up with a trio of clients, a group of Halcrow Yolles employees from the Manchester, London and Worcester offices took on the vertiginous Three Peaks challenge in July 2009. Scaling the UK’s three loftiest mountains – Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon – within 24 hours, employees banded together with hardy climbers from St Modwen Properties, Prosurv Consult and Wragge & Co for the muscle-wrenching triple ascent. The walkers endured a gruelling 24 hours, hiking around 40km and climbing over 3,050m. Peter Wilkins clocked up over 800km ferrying the climbers from one mountain range to the next.

(L to r) Greg Dobbins, Ernie Walker, Jonathan Sakula, Brad Balmer, Andrew Catmur and Steve Fraei

The Halcrow Yolles team was raising money for the West Midlands-based Mary Stevens Hospice, which provides free specialist palliative care for adults with incurable illnesses.

Halcrow’s Marion Myers has once again pursued her passion for all things slightly left of centre. Avid Vox readers may remember dramatic shots of her leaping from a plane over New Zealand not so long ago. This time she has experienced the elation of power walking around London at midnight sporting little more than a bra, alongside thousands of other women and a sprinkling of men. The London-based personal assistant to the chairman and chief executive was doing her bit for the London Moonwalk – an annual event – now in its 12th year, that raises millions of pounds for an array of breast cancer charities.

Pedal power A team of 25 cyclists – equally split between Halcrow’s Kent office and client South East Water – pedalled their way from London to Brighton on a sun-kissed June day. The London to Brighton Bike Ride, Europe’s biggest charity bike event, inspired 27,000 cyclists to raise cash for the British Heart Foundation. The 87km route weaved its way through the bucolic charms of Surrey and Sussex, taking in the 248m-high peak of Ditchling Beacon before ending on the pebbly shore of Brighton itself. The team takes a breather on Brighton’s beach front

Moonlight becomes her

Each and every one of the ‘Watercyclists’ team finished the course – despite numerous punctures and broken chains, and one of the team suffering an arm injury in a collision. Perfect conditions, and 16 official refreshment stops along the route, catered for physical wellbeing and high spirits throughout the whole event. Although exhausted after the ride, everybody enjoyed the day and being part of a successful team which raised over £2,000 to help people with heart disease.

“It was a fantastic experience and for a very good cause,” said Marion. “I have always wanted to do this and originally I was supposed to be doing it with other members of my book club. Despite a lot of enthusiastic responses from everyone at the time, it turned out that I was the only one who registered!” She managed to complete the half marathon – which took her from Hyde Park to Buckingham Palace, along the Embankment, past St Paul’s Cathedral and back to the park, in just three-and-aquarter hours. Marion assures us that the traffic was stopped by the police – not by the fact that 15,000 women in bras were enjoying a midnight stroll with a difference through some of London’s most famous streets. Her valiant efforts managed to raise an impressive £2,000 for the Walk the Walk charity, which last year amassed more than £5.6 million from the event. Marion Myers bares (almost) all

WaterAid

Giving generously Spread a little happiness

rocks Glasto

As the reformed Blur belted out mid-nineties classics to close Glastonbury 2009, Halcrow’s Tom Russell joined 190,000 revellers in a sea of muddy arms and unwashed bodies. The Kent-based graduate engineer was a festival-goer with a mission – promoting WaterAid’s charitable work to provide clean water, improved sanitation and life-saving hygiene messages across Africa and Asia.

Back row (from left) Denise Angus, Nicola Blaney, Michelle Moore, Wendy Cameron and Magali Cambazar. Front row: Jacqui Gibb, Violet Hall, Susanne McInnes, Isla Jackson, Claire Corcoran and Julie McSorley

Clockwise from top: Tom demonstrates WaterAid’s popular watering can ‘showers’; Tom dons a costume and heads into the crowd to highlight the risks of living without sanitation; with dedicated teams working in shifts, the African style toilets are deemed the cleanest on site

With queues for the fetid traditional Portaloos stretching hundreds deep, Tom was hard at work keeping WaterAid’s African-style toilets clean, while raising awareness of its projects around the world.

Tom’s four-day festival stay evoked memories of his stints in Mali with the international non-governmental organisation, where finding safe drinking water and clean toilet facilities quickly become top priorities for residents and visitors alike. “I found that the living conditions at the festival really made people think about how we take our easy access to clean water and a good toilet for granted,” said Tom. While on secondment at Veolia Water Southeast – formerly Folkestone and Dover Water – Tom gave a presentation to coincide with World Water Day. Recounting his time in Mali, he shared his experience of working with WaterAid to identify the needs of physically disabled people when providing water and sanitation facilities.

Three things you never knew abo ut the world’s largest music festival

1. 2. 3.

The Glastonbury site covers 365h a in the mystical Vale of Avalon, where legend claims King Arthur was buried, Joseph of Arimathea walked, and where spiritual ley lines converge. The first Glastonbury Festival took place the day after Jimi Hendrix died in 1970. Some 1,50 0 people paid £1 to get in. Milk from founder Michael Eavis’s farm was included in the entry fee. More football fans gathered at Glastonbury to watch England lose to Portugal in the 2004 Euro pean championships than anywhere else in the world.

Racing for life Now in its 16th year, Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life is the country’s largest women-only fundraising event. Lacing up their trainers, a 12-strong team from the City Park office joined 17,000 walkers and runners at the Glasgow Green event in June. More than 730,000 women took part in the annual 5km road race, which takes place across the UK on various dates. Setting a fundraising target of £200, Halcrow’s runners more than tripled this figure – netting £710 for the charity. The entire team blitzed the course in less than 36 minutes. Vox | issue four

Starlight walk Employees Sarah Nichols and Marie O’Hara, together with two friends, set out for a walk in the English countryside on a warm June night, to raise money for Swindon’s Prospect Hospice. The 10km walk began at 10pm at local beauty spot Coate Water and took them on a circuit of Swindon. Amid the singing and laughter they raised £250 for the hospice, which provides end of life care. For more information about the hospice, check out www.prospect-hospice.net

They’ll take the high road

Steven, Stephen and Scott with kilted friend Steve Scott

As the rest of the UK relaxed in the June sunshine, Glasgow’s Scott McMillan, Stephen McCarron and Steven Park were traversing Scotland’s mountain ranges for the 13th annual Caledonian Challenge. The trio lined up alongside more than 1,500 intrepid souls on the banks of the Caledonian Canal in Inverlochy, with their final destination, Strathfillan, a mere two marathons’ distance away. In between, the team would have to scale the equivalent of Ben Nevis – the UK’s highest peak – in height twice. Rest stops interspersed along the gruelling 87km course provided a chance for the team to refuel and receive welcome encouragement from their invaluable support crew, led by Karen Russell. Carving a steep route across the face of Ben Nevis, the trail took Halcrow’s trekkers

By this stage competitors had been on the move for 12 hours and darkness was setting in. “Looking back it was like a scene from a Dracula movie, with dozens of torches bobbing in the dark,” adds Scott.

through Kinlochleven and across the aptlynamed Devil’s Staircase into Glencoe. As Halcrow’s team neared the apex, an air force helicopter hovered overhead. “It later emerged that a climber had died on the next hill,” said Scott, “which put the whole thing into perspective.”

As the finish line beckoned the team pressed on, with Scott and Steven crossing in just under 22 hours. Badly blistered feet hindered Stephen’s progress, and he was reunited with the other climbers at the finish. “I felt a great sense of achievement when I crossed the line,” he said. “I’ve never done anything like this before and would never have dreamed that I could walk so far in one day.” The team’s mammoth hike raised £2,200 for the Scottish Community Foundation, with City Park’s Mary Love bringing in almost £1,000 through a sponsored silence.

Team Hulkrow goes green for charity Just don’t make them angry… Emulating the Incredible Hulk’s superhuman strength, paddlers from Halcrow’s Crawley office took part in a charity dragon boat race on 6 September. But while anger drove the perennial anti-hero’s powers to their peak, team ‘Hulkrow’ harnessed its energy for a wholly positive purpose, raising funds for nearby St Catherine’s Hospice. In late 2008, the Crawley office began forging links with the local hospice, which provides end of life care to patients from across Sussex, along with support for their families and friends. Around £4 million is raised every year to fund the free services it provides. Following a grant request to the Halcrow Foundation to develop an end of life care education, training and support programme with local care homes, employees lent their support to the fundraising drive. Entry into the hospice-organised dragon boat race required signing up to raise a minimum £750 in sponsorship. Three weeks and a whirlwind of cake sales, car washes, sewing repairs and pledges from family and friends later, the office had racked up over £1,000 in donations. Donning shredded clothing and daubing themselves with green paint to reflect the ‘Hulkrow’ moniker, the team blitzed its first race and finished strongly in the following two heats.

While just one tenth of a second separated Halcrow’s paddlers from a place in the final, the novice dragon boaters finished a credible 7th in a field of 32. Cheered on by family, friends and colleagues, the team’s energy was sustained by a bottomless buffet of sandwiches, savouries and home-made cakes put on by Jan Launders from the business support team.

Heroic Hulkrow Robert Kleinjan, Alec Irving, Tony Brimelow, Maria Beremska and her partner Paul Stratton, Ruth Abbott, Jeremy Sinclair, Olly Evans, Saber Razmjooei, Ray Dobiecki, Dave Best, Matt Kennedy, Bob Antonini and his son Fabio, and Lee Parker

Mountain rescuers Halcrow’s Fiona Henderson – an environmental consultant from the Inverness office – is often seen dashing out of the office to come to the rescue of lost hill walkers with her specially trained search dog, Assynt. Thanks to the company’s flexible working hours policy, Fiona is able to drop everything when she gets the call to action from the Assynt Mountain Rescue Team – of which she has been a member since 2004, along with colleague Kirstin Carmouche. Fiona and Kirstin are able to acrue up to 15 extra working hours a month, allowing them to take to the hills to help avert potential tragedy when they get the emergency call. Fiona got her border collie when she was just a sixweek-old puppy, and joined the Search and Rescue Dog Association of Scotland to train her. Assynt can do the work of eight two-legged searchers, making her a tremendous asset to the team.

A healthy northern sense of reality Andy Gale passed away on 29 July. Based in the UK’s Manchester office, Andy was a senior consultant for Halcrow’s economics and business solutions skill group. Having joined the company as an economist with the Swindon-based water regulation team in 1999, he worked with diligence and enthusiasm for many water clients and won much respect and friendship. He brought a healthy northern sense of reality and fresh perspective to everything he did – even the most mundane tasks. While his overseas work took him to Belize, Latvia, Romania and the Gulf, this did little to dampen his wanderlust. Any spare moments he had were spent dreaming up or planning trips to some far-flung mountain. He may have been working in Swindon, but his heart was often in the English Lake District. Andy transferred to Manchester as a key member of the local regulation and certification team in 2007, when he returned home to be close to his family after the death of his brother. His pragmatic approach and steely determination to get the job done with minimum fuss made him a valuable and well-respected member of the team. His independence of thought and approachability also ensured that he developed a network of good friends in other organisations too. Despite his underlying longterm health problems, Andy maintained a determined approach to life with his cycling and walking. He leaves behind parents Bill and Lynne.

Local hero Fiona and her faithful hound, Assynt

Fiona said: “I’m happy to be able to contribute to a worthwhile charity like mountain rescuing. Fortunately, Halcrow is able to accommodate me because we have flexible working. If I have to work on Saturday to catch up, that’s what I’ll do.”

Andy Gale (1977 – 2009)

Swim a mile, save a life Donning their goggles, Oakland’s Lael Sigal and Nita Unita swam a mile for women with cancer on 3 October. Their combined efforts raised over £600 for the Women’s Cancer Resource Center, which has supported female cancer sufferers, along with their friends and families, since 1986. Services include in-home support, a referral hotline and a resource library – all provided free of charge, thanks in part to people like Lael and Nita.

To remember Winifred Muir Wood, widow of Sir Alan, died on 24 October, aged 88. Martin Currie died on 12 July in Muscat. Martin worked for Halcrow between 1990 and 1997, and again as a contractor on the Longannet Power Station project in 2008. He is survived by Audrey, his wife. Donald Ritchie died, aged 84, on 26 July. Donald worked for Halcrow from 1975 to 1990 and is survived by his wife, Isle. Keith Armstrong died, aged 80, on 19 October. He worked for Halcrow from 1973 to 1984. To send condolences, email pensionsteam@halcrow.com

Vox | issue four

Alumni Obituaries

Mike Moore (1954 – 2009) Marine expert who dedicated 20 years to Halcrow Mike Moore passed away at St Andrew’s War Memorial Hospital in Brisbane, Australia, on 5 November 2009, following a short illness.

Remembering Mike, the managing director of the maritime business group, John Wotton, said: “I got to know Mike well during his time in New York managing the Comprehensive Port Improvement Plan project. I gained a huge respect for his quiet style and the way he handled an extremely challenging project in difficult circumstances to deliver a truly successful outcome.”

Having joined Halcrow in 1989 as a specialist in port planning and maritime civil engineering, he was instrumental in delivering some of Halcrow’s most prestigious marine projects. These included Malaysia’s Pelabuhan Tanjung Pelepas container port, Bristol bulk handling terminal, Immingham River jetty bulk terminal and a port masterplan for Mauritius.

Mike had many passions, including football, reading and visiting places of interest, including Badminton Horse Trials, game fairs and even the occasional marina or port. “Mike’s passion for football became apparent on our wedding day,” remembered wife Gill. “When the driver of our wedding car began listening to the results of the Ipswich match taking place in Manchester, Mike – ever the gentleman – asked for the radio to be switched off, although only after he had heard the result!”

More recently, he was regional manager for the company’s maritime business group in India. He fell ill in Brisbane while preparing for a transfer that would see him lead the maritime business in Australia. Mike was a quiet, thoughtful man with a dry sense of humour, which would sometimes catch people unawares. Popular and respected by colleagues, clients and project partners, he travelled extensively for the company and worked all over the world.

Mike was never happier than when spending time with his wife, their children – Duncan, Sarah and Edward – and the rest of his family. “He enriched our lives,” said Gill.

Neil Macdonald (1959 – 2009) Witty, respected and generous to the last Neil Chalmers Macdonald, a transport planning consultant based in Halcrow’s Edinburgh office, passed away on 18 September. Having joined Halcrow as a technician in 1993, Neil took on the planning and supervision of numerous traffic and movement surveys. He quickly earned a reputation for reliability and thoroughness. Neil’s eye for detail and high standards are evident in the two Central Research Unit papers he co-authored for the Scottish Government. Neil had a wealth of knowledge which he generously shared with others. His master’s degree in geography helped him contribute to a wide array of tasks. He developed a keen interest in public transport and personal mobility, with novel approaches to mapping pedestrian demands and accessibility. His unique insight into transport was often aided by his knowledge of vehicle construction law (gained from his National Certificate in road competence management), which amazed colleagues. But Neil had something more than just technical knowledge – he had a positive thirst for politics and current affairs, in particular his love of Scotland’s developing governmental future, which meant he always understood the underlying needs of clients. Clients such as First Group and City of Edinburgh Council greatly appreciated his endeavours – as well as his pithy observational wit – during his various secondments. His project CV is a veritable tour of his beloved nation, including the farflung Hebrides and Northern Isles.

He will always be remembered by colleagues for his sterling work on evaluating Edinburgh’s Greenways, community transport and taxi studies, as well his passion for buses, trains and planes. Well liked and admired by all who were fortunate enough to work with him, Neil was nonetheless never predictable. He had an independent turn of mind and a self-deprecating sense of humour – essential, he said, for a supporter of Scotland’s Partick Thistle football club. Following Neil’s wishes, his wife, Joan, and their family held a collection in aid of the Halcrow Foundation at his funeral in Edinburgh, raising £700. Thanking Joan, trustee Anna Mann said: “It is a fitting tribute to the kindness and generosity of Neil that one of his final acts was to highlight the plight of some of the world’s poorest people – and to help relieve their suffering.”

People parade Taking a break

No rain on this parade Held at St Giles Cathedral on 16 August 2009, the annual festival transforms the city, offering three weeks of entertainment from the finest performers in the music, dance, theatre, opera and art worlds. The special service included a civic procession from the City Chambers to the cathedral, led by the Lord Provost of Edinburgh, as well as the Lord Mayors of London, Cardiff, Dundee and Aalborg.

Safe as tunnels

Graeme joined the procession as the ICE’s honorary secretary for the Glasgow and West of Scotland region, which will soon be formed into a branch with the creation of ICE Scotland.

In the disaster-action flick ‘Daylight’ an ageing Sylvester Stallone struggles to save civilians trapped in a tunnel, barricaded at both ends by a wall of fire.

The procession – and the sunshine – drew large crowds of festival goers on Edinburgh’s famous Royal Mile.

Halcrow’s Fathi Tarada is at the forefront of efforts to prevent fantasy crossing into reality.

Graeme Forsyth enjoys the festival atmosphere (second from right)

Halcrow’s Graeme Forsyth was one of four professionals representing the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) in Scotland at a special service to celebrate the opening of the Edinburgh International Festival.

The Crawley-based fire safety engineering director delivered a paper entitled Structural fire protection of railway tunnels at the Railway Engineering conference, held in London in late June. Co-authored by tunnels director Mike King the paper provoked significant audience interest, with Fathi fielding a raft of questions. With a near-fatal blaze in the Channel Tunnel causing £50 million of damage in 2008, there is no shortage of interest in Halcrow’s fire safety services. Fathi was approached by a number of potential clients, including two directors of Delhi’s metro network seeking Halcrow’s guidance on smoke ventilation response in the event of a tunnel fire.

Creativity is embedded in Halcrow’s DNA, but one member of Edinburgh’s planning team has also proved himself a literary talent – contributing to a collection of local fiction. As a member of Fife Writers’ Circle, Iain Paton joined a creative writing course in St Andrews in 2008. The group enjoyed the experience so much that the course ran for two extra terms and their best work was published in a 48-page booklet called Local Produce. The collection was edited in part by Iain, who also authored three stories. The booklet was launched in the St Andrews branch of Waterstones bookshop in July 2009, with proceeds 40

Vox | issue four

Author Kaleem Haquan i reads out a poem in tribute to course men tor, John Brewster

Dark tales and bright causes pledged to support a local community centre. At the launch – which was covered by local press – local councillor Bill Sangster said a few words of introduction as did the group’s mentor, Fife poet John Brewster, before copies were put on sale to the public. Following this first literary success, Iain has had a ghost story accepted for publication by UK magazine Dark Tales. e-book copies of Local Produce are available for a £1 donation to the Halcrow Foundation. Contact Iain at patonis@halcrow.com.

Copies of Local Produce go on sale in St Andrews Waterstones

Life on

Mars

mma Hughes and Anthony Kurasz from Halcrow’s office in Leeds found themselves pondering the challenges of a Martian landscape when they helped present a series of workshops to encourage children – and their parents – to consider the role engineering plays in their world.

The scheme took place at Eureka!, an award-winning attraction and educational charity for children, based in Halifax, West Yorkshire. It was supported by the University of Leeds, the Royal Academy of Engineering and the STAR Centre in Keighley. Entitled ‘robots explore the universe’, the workshop used four robots on a simulated Martian landscape. Each robot used a different method of control: an infra-red remote, a dance mat, a radio-linked PC and an ethernet-linked PC. The children – aged six to 13 – were asked to test each method of control, assess which would be the most appropriate for a full-sized Mars rover and to comment on any issues or suggest improvements.

“Not only do we both have a better understanding of how kids perceive engineering,” said Emma, “but we both found the whole experience hugely rewarding. I for one was initially terrified by the prospect of standing in front of 15 children and parents, trying to make engineering sound interesting, but I soon grew in confidence and thoroughly enjoyed the workshops.”

Anthony and Emma (middle) test drive their robot with the Eureka! team

Following a half-day training session with the staff at Eureka! Emma and Anthony both volunteered for a series of days over the

summer. With typically five workshops a day, the duo were kept busy answering questions about engineering and encouraging the children to consider problems and solutions relating to the design and construction of the robots.

The original “Eureka!” moment Ancient Greek for “I have found it!” the exclamation is most famously attributed to the ancient Greek scholar Archimedes. He reportedly shouted the word when he stepped into his bath one day and noticed that the water level rose. With the sudden understanding that the volume of water displaced must be equal to the volume of his body that was submerged, he realised the volume of irregular objects could be calculated with precision – a previously intractable problem. He is said to have been so excited to share his discovery that he leapt from the bathtub and ran naked through the streets of Syracuse.

People parade Taking a break

Going4it

Loch fun Around 50 employees from Scotland’s Inverness office, and their families, took time out together at its annual barbeque at Loch Morlich earlier this year. Situated at the foot of the Cairngorm mountain near Aviemore, Loch Morlich lies at the heart of a stunning national park. A challenging wind made sailing and windsurfing hard work, but a canoe trip was enjoyed by the younger sailors, despite some paddling in circles and collisions along the banks.

Debunking the myth that today’s youth are inseparable from their Playstations and mobile phones, Halcrow employees mentored a group of tomorrow’s technical leaders as part of an initiative to promote science, engineering and technology (SET) subjects.

As the wind receded, some good sailing was had and the unusual absence of rain made for a grand day out. For non-sailors the opportunity to relax on the beach and take in the view was a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon.

Run by the Engineering Development Trust, the Go4SET programme aims to boost the number of young people pursuing careers in SET fields. Halcrow’s Peterborough office embarked on a ten-week project with six 14-year-old students from The Kings School. Set a brief to investigate water-saving measures at the school, the group identified a suitable building to collect rain water and proposed ways of storing the run-off. Three months’ concerted effort culminated in a celebration and assessment day earlier this year at the Ecotech Centre, Swaffham. Teams from local schools demonstrated their projects to a group of assessors and discussed their work. Impressing the judges with their knowledge and insight, the Halcrow-mentored pupils came away with the top prize for the best overall project. Halcrow’s Simon Morris, who worked closely with the group, said: “It was great to give the students a real insight into the industry, and for them to relate their own project to real challenges.”

Halcrow volunteers took part in California’s 25th annual Coastal Cleanup on 19 September – helping to clear the marine environment of rubbish and debris. The Oakland team was stationed at the Port of Oakland, while Bill Rudolph combed the banks of the Napa River. In southern California the Long Beach office restored Seal Beach to its pristine state, with San Diego’s Jerry Wallenborn and Bill Woods working at Dixon Lake and San Ejijo Lagoon respectively.

Graduate river engineer and mentor Oliver Mark explains: “We hosted two workshops at our office, which the team really enjoyed. We have already had some of the students asking about future work experience placements, with several seeking to pursue a career in design and engineering.”

Learning for life Go4SET comprises part of the Peterborough office’s annual schools programme, which involves forging links with local schools and attending industry days and career evenings.

Bill Woods and volunteer

Halcrow also belongs to the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Network – a government initiative that organises school science and engineering events, and registers science and engineering ambassadors. The Peterborough office now has eight ambassadors and engaged with local schools during National Science and Engineering Week – a series of activities organised by the British Science Association. 42

Vox | issue four

Long

m Beach tea

Oakland

team

Jerry

Walle

nborn

Energising budding engineers Teaming up with British Energy in March this year, Halcrow provided Scottish school pupils with a snapshot of a career in engineering. Pupils from Trinity High School and Smithycroft Secondary School, both in Glasgow, toured an operational nuclear reactor as part of a visit to the Hunterston B power plant.

Linda McCusker, a teacher at Smithycroft, said: “Working with Halcrow has been a fantastic experience for our pupils, giving them the opportunity to see engineers and scientists at work in the real world. The pupils thoroughly enjoyed their visit to Hunterston B, which provided a practical experience of the nuclear power industry they would not normally receive in school.”

Halcrow’s mentors – Alan Ruiz and Paul Reid – were on hand to answer questions and share their experiences. “We hope that the opportunity to witness firsthand various methods of low carbon and sustainable electricity generation will open the pupils’ eyes to science, technology and engineering,” said Alan. Learning about nuclear power’s contribution to a low-carbon energy mix, the students pondered its future significance as stations around the UK begin to close. After gaining insights into the science behind nuclear fission and waste management, the group explored the reactor building, control room and turbine hall, gaining a sense of the operation’s scale.

The art of sustainability Halcrow has joined forces with the applied art A-level department of Whitchurch High School in Cardiff for the second year running, to run a competition that tested the students’ imagination, flare and ability to work to a brief. The year 13 students (aged 17-18) worked with highways and transportation market sector director Paul Maliphant, the founder of the project, to provide an A3 piece of two-dimensional or relief work on the theme of Halcrow’s role within sustainable regeneration. To introduce the students to the topic, Paul was joined by Lorna Davis to give a series of talks to the students. They explained the meaning of sustainability, discussed Halcrow’s role and provided some case studies, such as the company’s work at Ebbw Vale, a brown field regeneration project in Wales.

Halcrow has also given a helping hand elsewhere in the curriculum at Whitchurch High School, as part of the Think Maths! initiative. The initiative is run by Higher Education Funding Council for England project More Maths Grads. Halcrow employees spent time with the GCSE students, discussing the use of maths at work across a range of disciplines, such as surveying, environment, transport planning and geotechnics. The Halcrow/ Whitchurch team was a finalist in the case study category at the Think Maths! finale event held at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.

The students produced their final artwork for display at Halcrow’s Cardiff office. The art was first shown to family and friends at the school’s exhibition, where prizes were awarded to the winners and certificates to all entrants. On the night, retiring head of sixth form Rob Davies commented: “Halcrow builds bridges worldwide from Abu Dhabi to Wellington. Tonight it built a bridge between a multinational company and our school.” Paul joined head teacher Huw Jones-Williams and head of sixth form Rob Davies to present the prizes

Achieving ambitions Raising the bar

s f o o r n e e Gr e Bronx for th

Danielle Hartman, a New York-based geographic information system (GIS) specialist, has triumphed at an international competition for her ‘exceptional cartography’ skills. Danielle Hartman

She competed with 101 other hopefuls in the ‘best analytical presentation’ category at the annual San Diego conference for users of ESRI, a modelling and mapping software and technology company. Danielle presented a poster that encapsulated her Rutgers University master’s thesis on green roofs in the Bronx, charting the green roof solution to the borough’s combined sewer overflow (CSO) challenge. Vegetated roof tops can retain rainfall, reducing pressure on CSOs and delivering a series of other benefits to the building and wider community. The model results – part of Danielle’s dissertation – demonstrated that if green roofs were implemented on all flat roof space, CSOs could be slashed by 30 per cent across the Bronx. This would account for some 6.34 billion litres of water per year.

Her line manager, Gary Ostroff, dubbed her cartography ‘exceptional’. The annual ESRI user conference is attended by over 12,000 people. The best submissions are published each year in a large, glossy book. Danielle has now submitted her work to two prestigious conferences – the New York Water Environment Association (NYWEA) and the International Water Conference in Montreal, Canada. Watch this space.

Early bird catches the worm A 19-year-old student spending a gap year with Halcrow in Edinburgh has been involved in the development of flood warning systems for Scottish communities. Amelia Carman’s contribution won the ‘best personal development’ award – with a prize of £300 – from the Scottish final of The Year in Industry’s business awards. Amelia was one of seven finalists in the regional awards, which showcases students’ exceptional achievement. Amelia helped produce computer-based models that will provide advance warning of floods across the north east of Scotland and Scottish borders. The models will be used by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) to issue warnings to local councils, the emergency services, residents and businesses, allowing them to take early action to mitigate the effects of flooding.

To win her regional award, Amelia presented her project at a ‘Dragon’s Den’ style interrogation by a panel of industry experts who assessed her financial and personal contribution to Halcrow during her gap year. The judges praised her enthusiasm to learn at every opportunity. Amelia went to Douglas Academy and has started a degree in civil engineering with construction management at Edinburgh University.

IN BRIEF

Flood warning systems are in operation on several rivers throughout Scotland, and the model will significantly increase the number of communities that can be warned of pending floods.

There were cheers all round when Halcrow achieved an 87 per cent pass rate at the recent Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) 2009 UK professional review session. Congratulations go to the following Halcrow people, who are now corporate members of the ICE: • Javaid Amin, transporation, Birmingham • Kevin Jones, maritime, Dubai

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• Michael Ampstead, transportation, Chichester • Katharine Berry, water and power, Plymouth • Mathew Cox, water and power, Peterborough • Daniel Cross, maritime, Swindon • Edward Hill, water and power, Exeter • Lesley Hunt, water and power, Swindon • Alec Kowalski, water and power, Birmingham

• Adil Riaz, transportation, London Vineyard House • Elizabeth Rivers, transportation, Swindon • Chris Short, transportation, Glasgow • Sek Kuan Yip, property, Bristol

Jet Cameron has achieved chartered membership of the Royal Town Planning Institute.

Stan Honeyman, transportation business group’s global health, safety and environmental manager, is now a chartered member of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers.

Glasgow-based Al Pattison passed the National Examination Board in Occupational Safety and Health general certificate, gaining a distinction.

Top paper trounces competition Doha-based engineering manager David Phillips has won the prestigious Sir Arnold Waters Medal for his paper on Fiji’s Rewa River Bridge, published in the Institution of Structural Engineers’ bi-monthly magazine.

Good (conference) call Halcrow distinguished itself with a top paper at the Global Innovation in Construction Conference, held on 13–16 September at the UK’s Loughborough University.

Rewa River Bridge

The paper detailed the impressive engineering feats employed by Halcrow to ensure that the longest bridge of its kind in the South Pacific was opened to traffic both early and on budget by Fiji’s president in August 2006. With an overall length of 425m, this was the first incrementally push-launched bridge to be constructed in the region. Co-funded by the European Union and Fiji’s government, the bridge provides a vastly improved access point to Nauori and the island’s second airport. Previously, rush-hour traffic would struggle to cross the river on the old bridge – built in 1937 – some 160m downstream.

The conference highlights the contributions that academia and industry jointly achieve through research and collaboration. It provides a platform for academic and industrial partners to display and celebrate their achievements. Over 70 presentations and workshops were included in the programme and the event was attended by delegates across the globe. Halcrow was awarded a certificate for the conference paper titled Innovations from the Halcrow-Cardiff University strategic collaboration. The paper was pronounced one of the top eight at the conference.

Project director and co-author Roger Buckby received the gong on David’s behalf at the Institution of Structural Engineers award ceremony, held at London’s Glaziers Hall earlier in the year.

Longevity rewarded Flying in the face of instant gratification, Angus Bowman’s 30-year membership of the Institute of Asphalt Technology (IAT) has been recognised with his election as vice chairman for the organisation’s Scottish branch.

Rita Wong has taken second place at a recent photo contest, sponsored by the International Association for Bridge and Structural Engineering.

After 20 years’ committee service, Glasgow-based Angus is set to take over the chair in 2011 for a two year post. As part of his new role, Angus will represent the IAT’s Scottish chapter at various events and forge links with other organisations such as the Institute of Quarrying and Institution of Civil Engineers.

Paul Reid from the performance audit group (PAG) has gained a Master of Laws in construction law from Strathclyde University after several years of part-time study. He is also now a member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators. Worcester’s hotbed of academic and professional achievement continues to flourish with the following achievements within its property business group team:

Picture perfect

Her prize-winning shot was of the striking atrium in The Galleria, a landmark structure in Toronto. It was chosen by popular vote from among the 27 finalists who were selected from 1,400 submissions. Designed by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava with structural engineering by Halcrow Yolles, the glass-covered walkway is 120m long and six storeys high. It resembles two rows of maple trees branching upward to create an arched canopy. The photo also captures the art installation Long Wave, a modified sine wave vital in electronic communication.

• Joe Neal – BTEC National Certificate in civil engineering • Katherine Munns and Amanda Meek – Higher National Certificate (HNC) in civil engineering • Clair Parish – Master of Science in occupational health and safety management • Alex Chia – chartered engineer with the Institution of Structural Engineers Manchester-based David McCulloch of the mechanical,

electrical and energy skill group has achieved chartered engineer status, becoming a full member of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers in June. Dave is a graduate of the Halcrow-sponsored monitored professional development scheme. Jim Westcott has been elected a chartered quality professional and member of the Chartered Quality Institute. He now leads the audit team

on the current performance audit group (PAG) commission overseeing Scotland’s trunk road maintenance contracts. Safety engineer Tarekh Patel, based in the United Arab Emirates, has passed both the exams and practical assignment for the National Examination Board in Occupational Safety and Health (NEBOSH) international diploma.

Sporting success Field of dreams

Himalayan adventure Some people wile away their spare time sprawled on the sofa watching television. A tiny minority spend their non-working hours cycling hundreds of kilometres, with countless days spent in the saddle. Halcrow’s Luca Benedini falls into this latter category.

Olympian heights London’s transportation team made it their mission to go swifter, higher and stronger than the competition at a transport planning olympics event, held in Battersea Park. The Halcrow team, led by Rob Milner, proved themselves stars of track and field as they sped through long jump and high jump events, as well as sprinting races from 100m to 1,500m, finishing with an exciting relay. Overall the team scooped an impressive 17 medals, including six golds. Competitors cheered each other on race by race – and on into the pub afterwards for a well-earned drink.

Cycling to the Tangang La pass

Halcrow finished in second place, just ahead of Atkins. Consultant Colin Buchanan took the top spot. “We are now in serious training for 2012,” said Rob.

Looking out over Delhi’s patchwork of roofs on a hazy winter’s day, Luca decided to escape the manic hustle of India’s capital for the Himalayas’ stoic tranquility. No stranger to marathon cycle tours, the transport planner had previously slogged his way from London to his home town in southern Italy.

Setting out from touristic Manali, nestled in the foothills of the Himalayas, Luca and his posse of four friends headed for Leh – the ancient capital of the Himalayan Kingdom of Ladakh, now a district of Jammu and Kashmir. From this 2,000m-high starting point in the lush Kullu valley, with its apple orchards and pine forests, the group began its steep ascent. Traffic jams caused by day-trippers in their tiny Maruti Altos – the ubiquitous, Indian-manufactured Suzuki car – soon gave way to scattered villages, rutted roads and perilous drops. Pedalling through the barren, lunar landscape of the Himalayan plateau, they arrived at their destination six and a half bone-shaking days later – the Indus Valley, overshadowed by towering, snow-capped mountains and dotted with dozens of gompas (Buddhist monasteries). After recovering from the week-long jaunt – and running the Leh marathon – Luca said: “They say in the Himalayas you are closer to the gods, and I guess if you have cycled there, you are quite glad that they can look after you from a closer range!”

Vox | issue four

Motorcycle diaries Not to be outdone by their cycling counterparts, Rakesh Sharma and Stephen Ellison chose a less strenuous mode of transport to travel the same route. Pitted roads, torrential river crossings, parachute tent camping and a few tumbles got them to the halfway stage before Stephen’s Royal Enfield motorbike spluttered to a halt. After several attempted roadside repairs, a friendly truck driver transported bikes and riders 200km to an able mechanic, enabling the Halcrow duo to complete their journey.

Stephen Ellison makes roadside repairs

The Manali to Leh highway is only open between May and October each year, with snow and ice rendering the route impassable at other times. This 500km epic journey slalomed across some of the world’s highest peaks – including four passes at around 5,000m.

Double header reaps rewards

Hot property

With the knocks and strains slowly fading from a hard-fought 1-1 draw on 14 March, Halcrow and Scottish Water Solutions took to the pitch again two weeks later for the decider against a Morrison Enpure joint venture (MEJV) team. With several key players from the first fixture unavailable, both teams were down to the bare 11 with no substitutes to call on. HalcrowSolutions struck first, with star striker Rikki MacLaren netting his first goal with just four minutes on the clock. MEJV came back strongly and goalkeeper Darren Richardson was called on to make several crucial saves, tipping one shot onto the post and another over the bar. With half time approaching Halcrow-Solutions went two up, Rikki bagged a second goal. Nathan Dale grabbed the third midway through the second half to put the client-consultant unit firmly in control.

Aaron Carr flexed and posed his way to second place at the UK Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation Scottish Championships earlier this year. The trainee technician from Glasgow’s property team celebrated his runner-up placing with a week-long junk food binge – in sharp contrast to the disciplined regime and protein-laden diet he had maintained for the previous year. After bulking up through a dedicated weight-training programme, Aaron spent the 12 weeks prior to the competition on a strict diet to reduce his body fat. “The dieting process was really hard as I couldn’t drink any alcohol, couldn’t go out at weekends as much, and had to be really strict with my diet,” he recalled. “But for the past week after the competition I haven’t stopped eating junk food.” He added: “I’ve been involved in the sport for about a year but this was my first competition, so I’m really pleased at how it went.”

Strike a pose – Aaron’s City Park colleagues lend their support

MEJV netted a consolation goal with a close range header before a decisive through ball allowed man of the match Rikki to beat the offside trap. With the last kick of the game, the striker calmly slotted the ball past the stranded keeper, completing his hat-trick and capping off an emphatic 4-1 victory.

Burns, baby burns

ow les

Highland swing hr is C

With London 2012 now physically taking shape, assistant company secretary Aaron Burns turned Olympiad for a day when he took part in the gruelling Mazda London Triathlon.

The largest event of its kind nd rie df n a in the world, Aaron was one of ns Aaron Bur 14,000 souls – alongside Formula One ace Jenson Button – who took up the physically demanding challenge in early August. Mostly held around the Excel exhibition centre in London’s Docklands, Aaron entered the ‘Olympic’ element consisting of a 1.5km swim, 40km bike ride and 10km run. With so many people taking part, participants were despatched in batches of 500. First off was the dip in the Thames at Victoria Dock, followed by a frenetic pedal into the heart of London and back again for a trot around the docks. Despite Aaron confessing that it was the most difficult physical experience he’d ever had, he notched up an impressive time of 2 hours 37 minutes – three minutes under his target time. “I found the run at the end by far the most difficult as I’d given everything in the water and on the bike – its all go until you cross the finish line!” His efforts raised £1,800 for Cancer Research UK.

Shrugging off stiff competition, Ian MacLeod took home the coveted north of Scotland golf championship trophy for a record third time in six attempts. The nine-strong field navigated the 119-yearold Grantown-on-Spey course on 21 August. Ian finished the course on 37 points, marginally piping Stuart Innes – also on 37 points but with a slightly poorer final six holes – to top spot. Murray Innes finished third with 33 points. Dougie Macpherson won ‘nearest the pin’ at the 16th hole, while Norman Johnston’s surging swing scored him the prize for longest drive.

John Walker congratulates Ian MacLeod

Announcements Longbridge Birmingham: Development Happy days begins...

6 10

9 11

1) Ian Crockford, wife Claire and big sister Ella welcomed Samuel Evan into the world on 29 January. He weighed 3.23kg.

5) The birth of Helena Mary was celebrated on 2 October by parents Jim and Nina Lewis of the Dubai office.

2) Martin Jones from the Swindon office and his wife, Greta, celebrated the birth of twin boys Edward and Sebastian on 13 July 2009. They each weighed 2.3kg.

6) Andrea Grinbaum from New York and her husband, Andy, are thrilled with their new daughter Miriam Skye, born on 16 September, weighing 3.3kg.

3) Seth Abraham made parents of Waltham Cross water engineer Laura Markeson and her husband, Dan, on 21 September. He weighed 3.4kg.

7) Dominic Boyle and his wife, Sally, celebrated the birth of Jake Patrick on 29 August in Dubai.

4) Proud parents Robert Davies from Cardiff and his wife, Jennifer, welcomed bouncing son Evan John into the world on 30 June. 48

Connections Vox | issue four | July 2008

8) Delhiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Bobby Thomas and his wife, Simi, were delighted to welcome their baby boy into the world on 14 April. Little Albin Bobby was born weighing 2.75kg.

9) Little Sophia was born on 21 August, weighing 3.4kg, to happy parents Pejman Saifi of the Halcrow Yolles Toronto office and his wife, Ellie. 10) Mohamed Nizar from Dubai and his wife, Fiza, were overjoyed to welcome a beautiful daughter, Noorie, into their family on 6 September. 11) William James was born on 14 July, weighing 2.78kg, to proud parents Chris and Katie Pike. Chris works in Halcrowâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Newcastle office.

12 13

21 12) Alan Tyndel from the Chichester office married Rachel in Kent on 4 July. The couple honeymooned in Mauritius.

16) Ellen Hagan of the Darlington office married Stuart on 4 July 2009 at the Redworth Hall Hotel.

20) On 31 July, Matthew Read from Sharjah exchanged vows with his new wife, Sarah, in the Suffolk sunshine.

13) Swindon’s Elaine Shergold (née Johnson) married John on 22 August. Their daughter Kirsten witnessed them tie the knot.

17) Sharjah’s Merly Mammen married Siby Thomas at a glorious ceremony on 8 January, in Kerala, India.

21) Sharjah’s Waad Siyam and new husband, Loai Makki, enjoyed their wonderful wedding day in Dubai on 6 August.

14) Gregor Simpson from Sharjah made his vows to Natalie, his bride, in the sunshine on 7 August, in St Boswells, Scotland.

18) Dubai’s Natasha Roza-Butler and her fiancé Kristian Corps married in style with friends and family around them in Perth, Australia, on 26 April.

15) Congratulations to Gordon Blair and his bride, Susan, who were married on 17 April 2009 among the showbiz lights of Las Vegas.

19) Steven Beckett from the Sharjah office married Imogen in Cheshire on 11 July.

Out of officeBirmingham: Longbridge A day in the life Development begins...

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Admirers in Ira

Vox | issue four

Holy blessing in Germany

nded ends, Mike atte Staying with fri local e th at nual mass an unusual an sed all es bl st ie the pr church, in which to the roar in the district the motorcycles the altar. nd stationed behi of a rock band rty pa d an de biker para The following pious co th wi s, ur wee ho lasted into the nsumed er and Wurst co be of s ie tit quan by all. er Rhine, any and the riv Crossing Germ and ce uth into Fran Mike headed so z and et M d, ol Saint-Av Wissembourg. . Verdun flew by

ride. “The a challenging There followed ps are a bit Al e th pass and Grossglockner bove 1,500m bered Mike. “A steep,” remem d everything , which covere there was snow on but it was ar d all of my ge by 1,800m. I ha any of the dly I didn’t see still freezing. Sa 77, when I was that I saw in 19 furry marmots 0.” e on a Honda 55 last riding ther

ims e wonders of Re Gazing at up th his eldest m fro ll ca a e got cathedral, Mik in jo his o had come to son, Geoff, wh Channel th stretch, via e dad on the last mily was fa e th e lk, wher Tunnel, to Suffo after three me him home waiting to welco road. weeks on the

Giving ...

is a piece of cake

It’s not too late to get involved – and have fun at the same time. • organise an office quiz, raffle, lunch or cake sale • grow your moustache … or shave it off • dress down, or dress up – the theme is up to you • hold a sponsored run, hop, walk, triathlon or skydive • belt out 80s classics at a karaoke competition

And that’s just for starters ...

Visit the Halcrow Foundation pages on Halnet for more information.

Hamper raffle, Tees Valley, Octob

The funds will be used to help rebuild shattered lives after recent natural disasters, as well as supporting communities in great need around the world.

er 2009

From Doha to London, Toronto to Glasgow, Halcrow employees are baking, walking, dressing up – dressing down, and raffling their way to raising thousands of pounds for the Halcrow Foundation’s emergency appeal.

Dare to wear dress down day, Bucharest, November 2009

Vineyard House cake sale, October 2009, double chocolate cake by Eloise Young

Emergency appeal

Longbridge Birmingham: Development begins...

perts get the ball rolling Build closer relationships with clients and colleagues without leaving your desk. Iron out that troublesome budget, share or edit documents in real time, or run an interactive training session for employees based in various offices – all at the click of your mouse. Halcrow’s web conferencing (WebEx) service is part of the knowledge management strategy to enhance collaboration between colleagues, clients, partners and suppliers. And teams from across the business have been quick to take advantage of its benefits. The management information systems (MIS) team has run a series of training courses via WebEx, ensuring employees from Manchester to Manila are up to speed with new systems and technology.

Halcrow’s shoreline and nearshore data system (SANDS) team provides clients with remote technical support, software demonstrations and training. And the learning and development team has trained over 800 employees worldwide, in areas such as performance management reviews, Cordis, Halnet and Microsoft Office.

Everybody’s cyber talkin’ Singled out for special accolades at Halcrow’s knowledge management awards earlier this year, the water engineering management (WEM) team has built a thriving online community around its regular WebEx sessions.

Technical director David Webb said: “Our WebEx seminar programme has strengthened our global WEM community, leading to better work sharing across offices. During 2009, 828 employees accessed the recorded WebEx talks, and we aim to further increase this figure over the coming year.”

David Webb

Around 25 lunchtime seminars have been held to date, covering a range of technical topics. Designed to share ideas, raise a presenter’s profile within the team and develop a global sense of identity, the WEM WebEx programme has seen an increase in dialogue between regions and the use of discussion threads to address technical queries.

Save time, cut costs and reduce carbon emissions by making your next meeting a web conference. Visit the MIS pages on Halnet for further information.