I joined Biwater Treatment on the Graduate Rotation Scheme having gained an MSc in Pollution and Environmental Control.

The rotation scheme meant that over the next year and a half I gained an insight into a variety of aspects of the business. I worked on the development of projects, as an assistant process scientist aiding in the design of treatment works and even as an on-site chemist carrying out various performance tests to ensure that the works met the required standards.

Given the nature of my degree I was later invited to become part of a team created to implement an Environmental Management System (EMS). As Environmental Advisor I now manage the EMS for the company as well as auditing construction sites and providing advice and training on environmental issues such as Carbon Footprinting and Corporate Social Responsibility. My aim is to ensure that the company maintains its international safety standard ISO14001 and continues to improve its environmental credentials.

I joined Biwater Treatment as a Quantity Surveyor with a BSc in Quantity Surveying and over 15 years of experience in the construction industry on projects in the UK, Eastern Europe and in particular Poland.

My knowledge and experience of difficult FIDIC Contracts in Poland meant that I became heavily involved with another difficult FIDIC project in Bulgaria. This contract posed many new challenges and gave me invaluable experience of working in a climate where political motivations can often be as influential as contractual ones.

I now focus on managing commercial and contractual matters for our regional activities particularly in the Southern Region.

My role still often sees me involved in contractual matters of Extension of Time and Claims as well as developing and overseeing the commercial strategy alongside the Operations Manager. I am also heavily involved in recruitment of new commercial staff and responsible for the training and development of the lesser experienced members of the department, working closely with the Institution of Civil Engineering Surveyors (ICES).

There is no doubt in my mind that the company possesses the excellent technical and professional resources necessary to further its already very respectful position in the market.

I joined Biwater Treatment as part of the graduate rotation scheme having attained a BEng in Civil and Structural Engineering.

My time on the rotation programme saw me work within contracts, design and on site before moving to the proposals department where I am now a Senior Proposals Engineer.

As part of the Treatment Growth Team I manage water and wastewater competitive tenders for UK water clients and have managed bids for a number of clients. Within my role I liaise externally with the client and consultants and internally with designers, estimators, delivery teams, regional managers and the Board of Directors to develop cost effective and ultimately bid winning solutions.

Managing the development of project solutions means that I am able to gain experience from a wide variety of different engineering activities, processes and people. Bids typically run for a duration of two/three months and no tender or its requirements are ever the same.

Biwater Treatment is an excellent company to work for and I particularly value the time I spent on the rotation scheme which gave me a strong foundation in the different aspects of our business and has enabled me to develop multi-disciplined skills which I consider vital for bid management. I also pro-actively utilise my experience in mentoring, developing and training less experienced or new members of the Proposals Department.