The Outstrays Managed Realignment Scheme, at the Humber Estuary in Yorkshire, has celebrated its official public opening. UK environmental engineering company JBA Bentley played a significant role in the design and construction of the project, which will safeguard the region from climate change and protect a vast range of species for many years to come. The opening event welcomed key stakeholders and project partners to the local parish hall at Welwick, where formal speeches were given by representatives from the Environment Agency, Associated British Ports, and the East Riding of Yorkshire Council, as well as the MP for Beverley and Holderness, Graham Stuart. Representatives from the key project partners at Welwick parish hall Alan Lovell, Chair of the Environment Agency, said: “JBA Bentley – well done. You’ve delivered a fantastic project despite terrible weather and storms for two years. You have been a fundamental and wonderful part of local engagement, immersing yourself in the community and making yourselves welcome with the folk round here. It’s not easy and you’ve done a cracking job.” Following the speeches, the group travelled to the site of the new 5.5km flood embankment where a bird hide has been installed, to officially declare it open. The scheme is an impressive feat of environmental engineering, with the construction of the new embankment, together with a breach in the existing one, creating over 170 hectares of intertidal habitat (saltmarsh and mudflats) for overwintering, breeding and passage bird species. Additionally, 75 hectares of wet grassland, with varying pool depths, are providing feeding areas and protection for waterfowl and wading birds. Over 100 different bird species have been recorded across the site since construction began in 2020. JBA Bentley was able to win all of the embankment material from within the intertidal habitat area and use the less viable soils to form sacrificial wave dissipation bunds. This approach eliminated the need for over 2000 trucks movements through local villages and eliminated the import of 34,500 tonnes of rock armour, a saving of over 25,000 tonnes of carbon over the 60-year design life of the embankment. Further increasing biodiversity, more than 11,000 native shrubs and tree seedlings were planted, as well as 700 metres of species-rich hedge – going beyond the scheme’s required planting target. This has allowed pockets of woodland and hedgerows to be connected, creating corridors for wildlife. The project will also benefit surrounding communities, infrastructure and businesses by increasing flood resilience, whilst public access to the site has been enhanced with the installation of new car parks, bird hides, a designated bridleway and horse-friendly gates, and information boards. Several attendees at the opening event were also able to visit the new, carbon-efficient Skeffling pumping station - one of two adjacent pumping stations that JBA Bentley have been awarded a contract to upgrade, following successful delivery of the managed realignment scheme. The upgrades will enhance the catchment’s standard of protection and better manage flood risk for local residents, businesses and farmland, whilst improving eel passage. Works at the site of the new Skeffling pumping station Nick Lister, Director at JBA Bentley, said:  “JBA Bentley is proud to have collaborated closely with two of our key clients - the Environment Agency and Associated British Ports - to deliver this important managed realignment scheme at The Outstrays. “As a fully integrated design-and-build business, our engineering, environmental, and construction teams worked with a range of partners and stakeholders to provide the detailed design and implementation of more than 175ha of intertidal habitat and supporting freshwater grassland. “This flagship project - which will ensure that the unique environment of the Humber Estuary is preserved for future generations - has provided great opportunities for social value, carbon reduction and innovative flood embankment construction.” Saltmarsh and mudflat areas of new habitat The scheme not only enhances flood protection for local communities and creates valuable habitats but also plays a pivotal role in broader flood risk management and future port development on the Humber, by providing compensatory habitat to enable wider investment in the region. As a result, thousands of properties, businesses, industries, and areas of land around the Humber now benefit from greater flood resilience, and opportunities for future growth and investment. To find out more about the project and the open day, see the Environment Agency’s official press release.

Fully integrated design-and-construction company Mott MacDonald Bentley (MMB) has been named a partner on a new AMP8 design-and-build framework with United Utilities. The new partnership will see MMB extend its relationship with United Utilities to 2030 and beyond. Comprising seven engineering and infrastructure organisations, t he partnership is set to be responsible for over £3bn of major infrastructure in the North West of England. Investment includes upgrades to wastewater treatment works and reducing storm overflows through the delivery of the largest spill reduction programme in the UK, protecting more than 500km of rivers and bathing waters.  Design director for MMB, Dan Buxton, said, “It’s great to extend our relationship with United Utilities for at least the next five years. “We’re excited to help United Utilities create a lasting legacy for the region, working closely with our fellow partners and local supply chain to deliver the largest investment in North West water and wastewater infrastructure in more than 100 years.” “MMB will bring its expertise in areas such as innovation and direct delivery to ensure affordable, sustainable solutions for customers. We can’t wait to get going.” MMB’s portfolio of UK water sector clients now stands at eight; together with United Utilities, MMB is delivering work with Anglian Water, Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water, Northumbrian Water, Severn Trent, South West Water, Thames Water, and Yorkshire Water. There are exciting career opportunities across the organisation, including the North West of England. Please visit the MMB recruitment website  or contact the recruitment team on 01756 691572 / recruitment@jnbentley.co.uk  for details of all current vacancies.

The first cohort of JN Bentley’s inaugural Skills Bootcamp in construction training have successfully completed the programme.   Over the last four weeks, four trainees – who are new to the industry – have undertaken over 100 hours of free training, completing a variety of courses including ride on roller, forward tipping dumper, CITB health and safety awareness, safe dig and national water hygiene. After successfully completing their training, all four trainees have completed an interview and been offered a full-time paid role at JN Bentley. What is the Skills Bootcamp? Delivered at JN Bentley’s on-site training facility in Skipton primarily by in-house qualified trainers, the Skills Bootcamp provides a route into the construction industry by providing individuals with c.100 hours of free training to achieve nationally recognised qualifications. Those who successfully complete the training programme are guaranteed an interview with JN Bentley for a paid permanent role. How can the Skills Bootcamp support you? Jordan and Bradley who completed the Bootcamp said: “The bootcamp has been very beneficial for me and anyone who has done it so far. The main reason being that it's free. It’s given us the skills that we need to move on to working on sites. It has broadened our horizons on what we are expected to do and how we can do it safely.” Jordan, Trainee “I never knew how much health and safety there is to learn, it has given me a real insight into how the industry works.” Bradley, Trainee Pictured (L-R): Bradley and Jordan, Skills Bootcamp graduates Congratulations to Jordan, Bradley, Conlett and Chris on completing the Skills Bootcamp. “Delivering the Skills Bootcamps is such a fantastic opportunity for us at JN Bentley to share our construction knowledge and skills with people who are looking to join the industry.  It’s great to be able to provide people with practical skills that they can use to progress in their career, while supporting efforts to improve employment rates in the communities where we work.” Lauren Woodward, Training manager JN Bentley's second Skills Bootcamp cohort is currently underway in the North East with the third cohort in Shifnal commencing later this month. Apply for the Skills Bootcamp Applications for the next Skills Bootcamp are now open with opportunities in Skipton and Shifnal. Training will start in Skipton on 29th July and in Shifnal early August. Future cohorts will be running monthly in Skipton and Shifnal from July - find out more and apply on our careers website . Note : The training is unpaid but does not affect your ability to claim Universal Credit (if currently receiving this benefit). Follow JN Bentley on social media: LinkedIn , X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook to keep up to date with the latest news.

JN Bentley has been named a Top 100 Apprenticeship Employer, placing 16th in Rate My Apprenticeships Best 100 Apprenticeship Employers Table 2023-24. The full table rankings were announced at a virtual event on Wednesday 17th July which celebrated the Best Employers and Training Providers that are leading the way in offering world-class apprenticeships to school and college leavers in the UK. Out of 900 companies that entered the rankings, only 100 finalists were selected before the official table placements were announced last week. The rankings are based on reviews and feedback from apprentices who are currently undertaking an apprenticeship or have completed a qualification with JN Bentley in the last year. Apprenticeships have long been a part of JN Bentley’s history and culture and play a key role in supporting our preference to promote  from within.  The company currently employs over 120 apprentices in a variety of roles including engineering, commercial management, general construction operations, procurement and accounting – plus lots more. JN Bentley apprentices at Leeds College of Building Judith Jeffery, HR Director said: “We are delighted to be recognised in the Best 100 Apprenticeship Employers table this year. Making it into the top 20 out of 900 companies is a testament to our long-standing commitment to providing apprenticeship opportunities. “As a business, we continue to strive for excellence and progression for all our employees, and apprenticeships play a key part in our approach. They provide a gateway into the industry and offering invaluable experience to those undertaking qualifications, supporting them in their careers. “Thank you to those who took the time to provide feedback on their experiences at JN Bentley.” This news follows the company’s award of Gold Membership to the 5% club  which demonstrates the JN Bentley’s support of early careers and development opportunities, including investment in apprenticeships.   Looking for a place to build your career? Find out more about opportunities at JN Bentley on our careers site: careers.mottmacbentley.co.uk/early-careers    Follow us on LinkedIn , X   and   Facebook   to keep up to date with the latest news from across the business.

Mott MacDonald Bentley (MMB) is hosting a 'Meet MMB' event on Thursday 24th October 2024 at the Voco Hotel in Manchester  from 6.00pm until 9.00pm. If you are looking for a new challenge with an established and growing company, come along to meet our team, learn more about MMB and career opportunities. The event Join colleagues from MMB for an evening of networking. Kicking off the event will be a short presentation from MMB directors who will share more about the business, followed by a Q&A and an opportunity to network with your peers and MMB colleagues. Date : Thursday 24th October Time : 6.00pm – 9.00pm Venue : Portland suite at the Voco Hotel, 59 Portland Street, Manchester M1 3HP Food and drink will be provided. About us MMB has a long-standing relationship working in collaboration with United Utilities on water engineering projects across the North West of England. Earlier this year, MMB secured places on two AMP8 frameworks with United Utilities which will see their relationship extend until at least 2030. Career opportunities To support the delivery of critical projects within these design and build frameworks, MMB is looking for talented individuals, across a range of engineering design disciplines to join their teams. MMB is currently recruiting for roles across: Project/site management Commercial Civil, mechanical, process and electrical engineering BIM and Digital Geotechnics and Environment View all current opportunities and apply here . Interested? Come along and chat to our team about career opportunities and learn more about MMB. You’ll find our colleagues at the Voco Hotel in Manchester (Portland suite), from 6.00pm until 9.00pm on Thursday 24th October 2024. Register for the event here . Get in touch Recruiter : Lauren.hutchinson@jnbentley.co.uk / 01756 691363 Careers site : careers.mottmacbentley.co.uk Find MMB on LinkedIn  and X (formerly Twitter) to keep up to date with the latest news from across the business.

Mott MacDonald Bentley (MMB) is currently recruiting for its next intake of apprentices – applications are now open and close on Friday 28th February. Our apprenticeships Apprenticeships have long been integral to MMB’s history and our culture of promoting from within. They provide a gateway into the construction and civil engineering industry. From day one, you’ll earn while you learn, with dedicated mentors supporting your development throughout the course. You'll gain valuable experience and insight into the real world of work, helping you build a successful career in the industry. We offer variety of apprenticeships, including: Civil engineer (Site - employed by JN Bentley) Civil engineer (Design - employed by Mott MacDonald) Mechanical/Electrical/Process engineer Quantity surveyor Groundworker Hear from some of our apprentices “In my opinion, apprenticeships are the best pathway in this industry. Unlike full-time university, apprenticeships offer hands-on experience, allowing you to apply knowledge and learn from mistakes. You learn first-hand from experienced professionals, so just go for it!” Amber “I chose to do an apprenticeship in civil engineering to gain experience, receive qualifications, get funding for my college course, and earn a salary, which suited me perfectly.”  Charlie “The great thing is that no two days are ever the same, and each day I use my site experience and engineering knowledge to ensure everything runs smoothly.” Lewis National Apprenticeship week MMB is supporting this year’s National Apprenticeship Week campaign, running from 10th-16th February 2025.  The annual campaign is a nationwide initiative that unites everyone passionate about apprenticeships to celebrate their value, benefits, and opportunities. Keep an eye on our social channels ( LinkedIn (JNB) , LinkedIn (MMB),   Facebook  and X ) where we’ll be sharing lots of great content throughout the week – learn what a typical day or week looks like as an apprentice from current colleagues and hear from some of our mentors about the individual, business and industry benefits of apprenticeships. Find out more Applications for our apprentice roles are open until Friday 28th February. Find all our current opportunities and apply here .   You can read more about National Apprenticeship Week – including search for opportunities – on the Government website .

Engineering and construction company, Mott MacDonald Bentley (MMB) with the help of North East and Yorkshire teams have hosted a successful event to celebrate women in construction. The event at Thirsk racecourse saw an impressive turnout with 120 colleagues attending, featuring five inspiring guest speakers, a networking session, and a question-and-answer panel. Attendees included professionals from Northumbrian Water, Yorkshire Water, and Turner and Townsend. MMB director, Phil Cundill began the event by defining diversity and discussing its importance in the workplace. Contracts manager, Lucy Lee, joined MMB in 2024. With 15 years of experience in construction, she was the first guest speaker at the event. “Since I was nine, I wanted to be an engineer and build a bridge, but statistics have followed me throughout my career, with only 15% of women being in construction and only 9.2% being in more senior positions”. Pictured (L-R): Lucy Lee, MMB contracts manager, Selena Uttley and Martha Smith (SHEQ Advisors) Selena Uttley and Martha Smith were the next guest speakers. They have recently completed their apprenticeships with MMB, working in the safety, health, environment and quality (SHEQ) team. They discussed their experiences as young female professionals during their apprenticeship and how they manage their roles both onsite and in the office. Anwen Gough, commercial manager, was the next speaker. She studied civil engineering, where only two individuals in her class were female. Her advice to women in the industry was to “grab any opportunity that comes your way, embrace it and be yourself.” Frances Elwell, design director, was the last guest speaker of the day. She shared her inspiring 20-year journey at Mott MacDonald and her experience joining MMB in 2024. "The key lessons I've learned in my career are to take responsibility for it, be yourself, seek learning and improvement opportunities, know your priorities, and always invest in yourself."  Frances Elwell. Pictured: Frances Elwell, MMB design director (Guest speaker) The event also raised £700 for Smart Works Charity , which will make a meaningful contribution to supporting women in need. The funds will be split equally between their Northeast and Yorkshire offices.  Lyndsey Boagey, commercial manager, who hosted the event, stated, "We planned a day to inspire and build a community within our networks, focusing on women in the industry. It was wonderful to see so many people, both female and male, supporting the event. The speakers were fantastic, providing insights into the experiences of women in construction. The feedback has been phenomenal, and we are all still smiling from ear to ear." The event was a great success, fostering community and support among women in construction and the business as a whole as well. The inspiring stories and insights from the speakers left a lasting impact. The positive feedback highlights the importance of such initiatives in promoting diversity and inclusion in the industry. - Interested in a career at MMB? Visit our careers website . Follow us: LinkedIn , Facebook , X .

Meet one of our brilliant people: Cam Yarker, a plant operative based in the North of England. Cam speaks about his day-to-day role as a plant operative, how he delivers excellence every day and the development opportunities at JN Bentley. Tell us about your role and where you are based I've worked at JN Bentley for over 8 years now. Currently, I am based in Yorkshire, working on schemes in the North of England for our client Yorkshire Water, as a plant operative. In my role, I am responsible for operating a range of plant on site, including excavators and dozers. How do you deliver excellence in your role I deliver excellence in my work by striving for perfection – no matter if I am laying pipework, top soiling a field or installing an alleviation tank, when the job is complete, I want people to know I worked on the project through its neatness, presentation and functionality. What opportunities have you had to grow your specialism or develop your career at JN Bentley? During my time at JN Bentley, I’ve received a great deal of support to develop through various qualifications and certifications which the company has supported me to achieve. I’ve continued to receive plenty of support and aim to work towards my crane qualifications, which is something I would love to achieve in the future. Describe what life at JN Bentley means to you in three words Safety, family and fun. What characteristic do you admire in other people Persistence – someone who is willing to get stuck in, no matter what. You see this a lot on site, with people working to get the job over the line if the pressure is on, or the rain is pouring down. What advice would you give to your younger self Keep your head down, work hard as a team player and show initiative. If you follow that, you will go far. Finish the sentence: I feel included when... When I’m asked my opinion, and given a platform to share my thoughts and ideas. __________________________________________________________________________________ Interested in a career at JN Bentley? Check out our careers page  or speak to our recruitment team at recruitment@jnbentley.co.uk .

A second cohort of apprentices and graduates have successfully completed MMB’s graduate and apprentice programme. Over 100 apprentice and graduates came together to complete their final in-person teambuilding module, marking the end of their journey on MMB’s bespoke graduate and apprentice development programme.   Two events – held in Leeds and Birmingham – saw colleagues take part in a head-to-head team challenge, putting theory learnt in the classroom into practice – a great way to wrap up months of collaborative and team-based learning. Although now at the end of the programme, delegates are now armed with the skills they need to take the next steps in their career. About the programme The graduate and apprentice programme extends over provides new starters with a structured framework for their development. Tailored specifically for MMB and delivered in partnership with Futureproof Training, the programme is designed to enhance personal and professional skills, preparing colleagues for their future with the business. Delegates complete modules focused on teamwork and developing key skills needed for the workplace, including effective communication and presenting with confidence. The programme also provides support on the route to achieving professional Chartership, with experienced colleagues providing mentorship and guidance along the way.    Hear from colleagues  “Developing my communication and presentation skills as part of the programme has definitely helped me a lot  - I now feel a lot more confident when I’m presenting and communicating to my team.” Hallie, apprentice civil engineer. “The best thing about the scheme is being able to meet new people and work on the skills that you use every day.” Alan, graduate in business support. “Going through the programme has been a really positive experience. I’ve really enjoyed the teamworking activities and getting to know people I otherwise might not have met day-to-day.” Sam, apprentice civil engineer. 2026 career opportunities  Applications for our 2026 intake of graduates open on 1 October 2025. Applications for apprenticeships open in February 2026. Visit our careers site  for more information.

Mott MacDonald Bentley (MMB) has launched a new early careers development programme for apprentices and graduates. The inaugural launch event, held at Aston University, Birmingham was attended by over 100 apprentices and graduates who have recently joined the business. The day - led by Lead Learning & Development Advisor Helen Bradford - began with an introduction to the scheme and included interactive icebreakers, presentations from directors Ian Bester and Nick Fawcett, team-based challenges and breakout rooms led by a number of colleagues subject experts in their field. Speaking about the launch event, Helen said: "The day was one to remember. It was great seeing all our new starters under one roof and seeing the energy and enthusiasm everyone brought to the event - even if it meant going outside of their comfort zones. "I’m really looking forward to seeing how our apprentices and graduates progress over the next 12 months and beyond." The structured 12-month programme provides a framework for career development, through a series of in-person events and online skills training. The programme will enable colleagues to develop key personal and professional skills that will support their progression and provides clear career pathways for their chosen discipline, whether engineering, business support or commercial management – setting them on the path to a successful career within the business. Sophie, graduate process engineer, said: "The event was great as I was presented with a clear route to progress within my role at MMB and given the platform to learn and develop within the business thanks to the wider early careers development network and the support of experienced colleagues throughout the business." Investing in and supporting early career development has long been part of MMB's approach to attracting and nurturing talent to create a sustainable workforce for the future. The company invests over £1 million every year in the training and development of its people, supporting them to achieve their goals, reach their potential and build a successful career with the business. Interested in building your career with MMB? Find all our current opportunities on the MMB careers website. Don’t forget to follow MMB on LinkedIn  and X (formerly Twitter)  to keep up to date with the latest news .