{"id":25959,"date":"2024-12-13T16:23:48","date_gmt":"2024-12-13T16:23:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.systra.com\/uk\/?p=25959"},"modified":"2026-02-18T17:01:17","modified_gmt":"2026-02-18T17:01:17","slug":"2024-a-year-in-review","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.systra.com\/uk\/news\/2024-a-year-in-review\/","title":{"rendered":"2024: a year in review"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

As we approach the end of another year, we\u2019re shining a spotlight on just some of our most impressive achievements. From project milestones and sustainability victories, to progress on our equality, diversity and inclusion goals, we\u2019ve been very busy!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Sustainability and social value<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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It is more important than ever to act collectively to address the challenges facing society, the economy and our planet. In every project and solution we deliver, we aim to create economic and social wellbeing, and to make a lasting positive impact on the environment. Sustainability is embedded into our business approach. This year, we continued to take strides forward in creating sustainable value for all our stakeholders, and our own business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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At the start of the year we appointed David White<\/a> as our new Director of Health, Safety, Security & Sustainability to lead on our commitment to keeping colleagues safe and well, and lowering the carbon impact of our UK and Ireland activities. Riona Ainge later joined David in the newly created position of Sustainability Lead<\/a>, which focuses on reducing carbon footprint and broadening social value. The role was created to support the delivery of our four key sustainability mission pillars – social purpose, climate action, responsible business and environmental stewardship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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I have no doubt in their [SYSTRA’s] absolute commitment to providing a safe and sustainable future for everyone. I believe every individual has a part to play.<\/p>\nDavid White, Director of Health, Safety, Security & Sustainability, SYSTRA Ltd<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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I am delighted to take on this important role for SYSTRA… My first priorities will be establishing our carbon management programme and creating distinct opportunities to deliver meaningful and lasting social value in the communities we serve.<\/p>\nRiona Ainge, Sustainability Lead, SYSTRA Ltd<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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But these weren\u2019t the only big sustainability successes for the business this year. We were very proud to join the specialist Net Zero Bridges Group<\/a> and sign the \u2018UK Civil Engineers Declare Climate & Biodiversity Emergency\u2019 declaration. The group are committed to helping the industry reduce its carbon footprint as quickly as possible, through shaping best practice, and sharing knowledge and ideas. As bridges are one of the most carbon intensive elements of infrastructure, we were very keen to join and engage with other companies that are part of the group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Our colleagues also took part in some intensive but rewarding carbon literacy training led by Positive Planet. The training left the participants feeling incredibly motivated and hopeful, and everyone who undertook the training came away with a pledge to reduce their individual carbon footprint – an important commitment made by the whole business in order to achieve carbon net zero emissions by 2050, as per our Carbon Reduction Plan<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Speaking of carbon reduction, during December we agreed our carbon net zero targets with the Science Based Targets initiative<\/a> (SBTi), further enhancing our commitment to becoming carbon net zero by 2050. The reductions will cover everything from office lighting and heating to supply chain emissions!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Our proud carbon literacy-trained colleagues<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
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Our sustainability milestones weren\u2019t just limited to the business itself – the progress we made on projects embodied our commitment to making a lasting positive impact too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Back in April, the Greater Manchester \u2018Places for Everyone\u2019 plan<\/a>, which will provide jobs, new homes and sustainable growth, was formally adopted. Between 2019 and 2024, our specialists were very proud to support the work as technical advisor to Transport for Greater Manchester, providing a wide range of expertise across planning; transport planning; strategic; micro-simulation and junction modelling; preliminary public transport; active travel and highway design and costing; and \u2018examination in public\u2019 work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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And, we had a knockout year for our work with electric vehicles. With an increase in the use of low-carbon vehicles likely to be a critical component in the delivery of a net zero carbon economy, our specialists are at the forefront of innovation in mobility and low-carbon transport solutions<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Our teams worked with Hull City Council and East Riding of Yorkshire Council, along with Stagecoach Bus and East Yorkshire Buses to secure ZEBRA2 funding, which will support the delivery and operation of 40 new electric buses serving key routes across Hull city centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Our framework appointment (alongside partners KMPG and Savills) to the Welsh Government\u2019s Electric Vehicle Charging Strategy was an exciting advancement for the business, opening up a significant new workstream that supports our bold decarbonisation growth initiative. The strategy aims to increase public confidence in the availability of charging infrastructure in Wales, which will in-turn facilitate increased ownership.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Equality, diversity and inclusion<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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We are leading the way in championing equality, diversity and inclusion (ED&I) in the engineering and transport sectors. Our commitment to ED&I is proactive and ongoing, as we work to build diverse and inclusive workspaces that respect, value and optimise the contribution of all our colleagues. Through creating and celebrating the diversity that reflects our communities, we in-turn enhance our capabilities and capacity for innovation and optimum performance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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This year we worked as hard as ever on our ED&I strategic pillars<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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We entered into a game-changing partnership with Women in Transport – an organisation that empowers women by creating opportunities for networking and professional development in the transport sector across all modes and disciplines. Through the partnership, we look forward to taking further positive steps towards closing the gender pay gap by actively engaging with women in our industry and better understanding their experiences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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We also became Level 2 Disability Confident<\/a>. Our position on the UK government scheme highlights the business as having gone the extra mile to improve recruitment, retainment and development for those that have disabilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The health, safety and security<\/a> of our people and the solutions we deliver is our priority. Ensuring that we offer appropriate, well-fitting personal protective equipment for our colleagues\u2019 on-site visits is absolutely crucial to this, whether it be maternity or women-specific fit. This year we took our commitment to the next level and signed the Inclusive PPE Campaign Pledge and Protection for Everyone Charter, which upholds that all workers deserve and require access to well-fitting PPE to work comfortably. As part of our commitment, we will be leading by example and sharing best practice with our contractors and suppliers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Our wide-reaching ED&I initiatives target many diverse areas, including training in LGBTQIA+ awareness. Over the summer, our colleagues celebrated our dedication to LGBTQIA+ ED&I in the loudest and proudest way possible – at Leeds Pride. We showed up in force for the SYSTRA-sponsored event, alongside friends and family, to support the LGBTQIA+ community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Our colleagues celebrating with their family and friends at Leeds Pride<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
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Enhancing our work environments<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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We have been through monumental growth in recent years, and our offices are exciting, ambitious, stimulating places to work<\/a>. We\u2019re keen to make sure our spaces reflect the personal and professional needs of our leading thinkers, keen collaborators and supportive peers. By creating a comfortable, positive and inspiring environment, our colleagues thrive and their work reflect this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Throughout the year we\u2019ve been on a mission to continue enhancing our workspaces to ensure we retain and attract top industry talent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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We upgraded a number of our offices to bigger, better spaces. In March we expanded our presence in the North East of England with a larger Newcastle office<\/a> due to our growing client base, and also relocated our Edinburgh office<\/a> as part of our long-term commitment to Scotland, in direct response to strong growth across the UK. Less than a month later we moved our Leeds office location<\/a>, further bolstering our commitment to developing talent in the city and across the Yorkshire region. We also redesigned our York office to be a more welcoming, visually appealing space for our colleagues, to match our other amazing office locations. The new office features a wellbeing room, book nook, collaboration areas, luscious green planters, and artistic York themed wall designs by our very own graphic designer!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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In November we were thrilled to welcome our Group CEO Jean-Charles Vollery to both our Manchester and York offices<\/a>, where he held fantastic Q&A sessions and shared his exciting vision for the business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Jean-Charles Vollery (Group CEO) with our Manchester-based colleagues<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
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Colleague Success<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Excellence is at the heart of everything we do, and the technical expertise and experience of our colleagues is unrivalled. Within the business we love to celebrate our colleagues\u2019 wins – external recognition is really the cherry on top.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Our expertise was highlighted through a number of colleague successes this year, from a Transport Planning Society official board appointment<\/a> to multiple CIWEM accolades<\/a>, fellowships with the Institution of Civil Engineers<\/a>, accreditations, and even a visiting professor in cybersecurity appointment<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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On top of this, so many of our specialists have won prestigious awards over the past 12 months – too many to list in fact! To name but a few:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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