Connect
Performance is elevated by inspiration.
Ecology Appointment for Welsh Government A disused industrial site on the edge of Llantrisant in South Wales provides the latest setting for our Ecologists, who are undertaking surveys on behalf of the Welsh Government to assist with their plans to redevelop the site. With a Site of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINC) in its boundaries, the site is of particular ecological interest.
The team have regularly been on-site throughout the survey season, often before dawn or after dusk. The site which includes grassland, scrub, woodland and watercourses will also require botanical, as well as specialist invertebrate surveys. An Ecological Assessment will supplement any future planning applications for the site.
Inspiring The Next Generation Girls in Hampshire joined an event, organised by Opus in conjunction with CEMAST (Fareham College’s dedicated Centre of Excellence for Engineering, Manufacturing and Advanced Skills Training), to gain an insight into engineering.
The day involved presentations run by women who work in the profession as well as practical exercises such as building a geodesic dome, floodwater movement and building bridges.
This newsletter provides an excellent round-up of some of Opus’ recent achievements. It’s fantastic to see the pride that our people show in delivering their projects, as well as the effort given to both their communities and the wider industry. We work really hard to achieve this balance and believe that this helps make Opus a great place to work. Huw Edwards Managing Director, UK
“When you hear ‘engineering’ you think of buildings and men in hard hats. But today has given me a different understanding and I’ve learnt that there are many different career paths in this sector.” Grace Atkins, Student from Crookhorn College.
OPUS TARGETS HS2 AS APPROVED SUPPLIER Opus is now an approved supplier for HS2 and is keen to explore the opportunities generated from this major infrastructure project. This appointment enables Opus to provide multi-disciplinary consultancy services across a wide range of deliverables in line with current Rail Industry Supplier Qualification Scheme (RISQS) product codes (formerly Link Up).
“We are keen to utilise collaborative partnerships with contractors and consultants tasked with delivering this landmark project.” Martin Beasley (Rail Director - North).
Third from right: Juliet Archer-Reeves, Assistant Engineer.
Opus Team Meet HRH Prince Of Wales Juliet Archer-Reeves, Assistant Engineer, met HRH The Prince of Wales during a visit to Old Hatfield in Hertfordshire. The £2m station refurbishment improvements to the train station include the introduction of a signalised pedestrian crossing to replace the old subway, a new bus and taxi interchange as well as greatly improved parking for cyclists by increasing cycle racks to accommodate up to 300 bikes.
“These improvements will help increase pedestrian safety, which is always a priority. The investment in better cycle facilities will also encourage more people to cycle to the station, which is a good way to be active and helps reduce congestion.” Cllr Terry Douris, Hertfordshire County Council
£24M Transformation Of Y Pant School KEY APPOINTMENTS ASSET MANAGEMENT AND HIGHWAYS Steve Draper has been appointed as Technical Director of Asset Management and Andy Tovey has taken up the position as the Director of Highways for the UK. The roles focus on servicing the local authority market with specialist development and asset management capabilities.
This redevelopment will cater for additional demand from a housing development planned for construction nearby, and will see specialist accommodation including temporary and mobile classrooms, replace older buildings.
situated on a flood plain, the level of the buildings and attenuation of drainage discharges is tightly constrained, and will present significant challenges to our design team.
The project will have a strong community focus, using local supply chains and will have KPIs set against community benefits. Being
In addition to providing civil, structural and geotechnical services, Opus will lead a multi-disciplinary design team.
PROTECTING COMMUNITIES ON THE RIVER THAMES With properties at risk along the River Thames in the Chertsey/Weybridge area, this scheme will create a new channel to alleviate flooding to protect these communities. There’s been a strong focus on recycling waste in an area where the new channel is to run. A detailed analysis of postwar landfill deposits provides an estimate of the quantity of various waste materials with a view to recycling, in a process known as landfill mining and reclamation (LFMR).
LEADING YOURSELF Recently over 20 members of staff graduated from the Opus’ leadership programme, the first to be held in the UK. Opus makes a significant investment in developing its leaders to support the growth of its business and their people.
Recent Awards
YOUNG GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEER OF THE YEAR
WIN AT BROWNFIELD BRIEFING AWARDS
WIN AT WOMEN IN CONSTRUCTION AWARDS
Gillian Steele won Ground Engineering Next Generation Award as “Young Geotechnical Engineer of the Year”. The judges said “Gillian is passionate about geotechnical engineering, has broad experience and a clear development path.”
Opus scooped the “Best Sustainable Building on a Brownfield Site” at the Brownfield Briefing Awards, for work at GlaxoSmithKline Carbon Neutral Laboratory for Sustainable Chemistry (The University of Nottingham).
The judges said it was Opus’ development practices that secured the win. Opus runs a Women in Leadership programme which supports women to pursue, establish and sustain successful careers.
NATIONAL PIERS SOCIETY AWARD RECOGNISES MUMBLES PIER
FINALIST AT RAIL STAFF AWARDS
CHAIRMAN’S SPECIAL AWARD - ICE WALES
Opus’ Civils Assessment Framework and Operational Property Structural Assessment Programme Teams were both finalists in ‘Rail Project Team of the Year”. Robert Hodges (Director - Bridge Engineering) was also shortlisted for the Lifetime Achievement Award.
Opus was praised for ensuring Porthdinllaen RNLI lifeboat station fitted the surrounding area of outstanding natural beauty. Sustainability and community involvement were significant elements to the project’s success.
This award, from the National Piers Society, is presented every four years for work of unusual or merit worthy engineering. Our scheme provided a new RNLI boathouse at the end of a decaying pier.
TOMORROW’S ENGINEERS WEEK
MEET THE APPRENTICE!
Supporting Tomorrow’s Engineers Week, Opus’ Gillian Steele volunteered at the Engineering Team Challenge South Wales organised by the Institution of Civil Engineers, where pupils built a small scale coastal defence scheme.
Opus sees apprenticeships as a great way to recruit young people into the industry. 21 year old Gavin Hallam, who has recently completed an apprenticeship with the company, is now working as part of Network Rail’s Operational Property Structural Assessment Programme (OPSAP) delivery team.
People and Community RNLI ALTERNATIVE BOAT RACE In support of the RNLI, Opus sponsored a boat in the RNLI Alternative Boat Race which raised enough money for our client the RNLI to purchase a new D Class lifeboat!
WHITE WATER RAFTING Our people braved the rapids this summer at the 2012 Olympic venue, taking white water management to a whole new level.
ARCHAEOLOGY TASTER AT PRIMARY SCHOOL
CHEPSTOW STAMPEDE Twelve courageous members of the Opus team ran the Chepstow Stampede. The 5km or 10km course, which runs over incredibly demanding and uneven ground, is a harsh test of speed, strength and endurance.
Despite being a tough topic to grasp, the children at Edlington Victoria Primary School were all extremely enthusiastic and challenged the Opus team with lots of questions.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Contact details for your local Opus office are available at: www.opusinternational.co.uk/contact-us facebook.com/opusinternationalconsultants twitter.com/OpusLtd linkedin.com/company/opus-international-consultants-limited
Opus International Consultants www.opusinternational.co.uk