Sir Robert McAlpine

Major building and civil engineering contractor base their team within Phoenix Enterprise Centre. Learn more about SRM in our Q&A session.

The SRM team in their Phoenix House meeting room

Which Business Sector does the business cover?

Sir Robert McAlpine is a building and civil engineering company, and our focus sectors are commercial offices, infrastructure, healthcare, industrial and major and special projects.

Which project(s) is/are SRM involved with in Cumbria?

We’ve recently returned to Cumbria as part of the PPP Framework at Sellafield. Sellafield ‘lets’ (contracts) high-value, long-term frameworks to support decommissioning activity. PPP is one of these, and it’s got about 17 years to run. We’re a Key Delivery Partner (KDP) and our responsibility is to build several structures on site.

What’s the story of SRM / How/Where did it all start?

We are a family-owned company, started by Sir Robert in 1869 when he borrowed £11 from the local butcher to employ staff. In 5 years this had grown to 1000 staff and owning 2 brickyards. In the past 150 years, we’ve worked on major projects including the Olympic Stadium, the Imperial War Museum, the Millenium Dome and the Eden Project.

Does the business have any green policies in place which support the Governments Net Zero target?

Environmental considerations are very important for all businesses, but particularly the construction sector, where water and aggregate use is significant. We have verified science-based targets and a carbon reduction plan in place to support us to achieve net zero, managed by Leanne Fletcher, our Sustainability Manager. She works closely with a team at Sellafield to ensure that we’re constantly improving on performance by working collaboratively and innovatively.

Is SRM involved in any local Collaborations?

To deliver our KDP contracts effectively, we’re working with many local businesses. PEC tenant William King is one of our suppliers, as is Lawsons Plant Hire who helped us tidy the garden at St Mary’s Westfield just before Christmas! As we’re newly returned to the area we’re on the lookout for local collaborations, including with other KDP contractors such as Keltbray, who are also PEC tenants.

Have SRM been recruiting locally; how did you find the process in the current climate?

Our team is growing rapidly, so much that we’ve taken on extra space at Phoenix House. We know there are skills gaps locally, so we’re involved with the PPP Intern programme and will be offering work experience placements to grow our own local talent. We’re always interested in people’s CVs!

Does the business have a Social Impact Target? If YES, examples of this.

All businesses doing work within PPP have a Social Impact Plan, which covers activities including volunteering, education, local employment and local supply chain development. We’ve been doing a lot of work to develop our local suppliers, we’re looking to work with Lakes College to make sure students have opportunities with us and to make our roles accessible to people who face challenges to work. We’ll regularly be volunteering our time in the community.

What are the aspirations for the future of SRM?

We want to build on our success with PPP, extend our activity in West Cumbria and be a long-term member of the community.

Why was PEC chosen as the base for the West Cumbrian SRM team?

We wanted to spend our money somewhere where it would make an immediate difference for the local community, so a social enterprise landlord was a perfect fit. Being in a venue with lots of different organisations helps us get to know people, and we’re enjoying being in such a vibrant building!