As we reflect on the past year, we celebrate the milestones that have defined our work in 2024: advancing the UK’s journey toward Net Zero with impactful Rail and Power & Energy projects, inspiring future engineers, adopting sustainability practices, growing our team, and fostering a supportive company culture.
In this article we share the insights, projects, and people that have shaped our year.
A growing civil engineering team
“We’re proud to support the career growth of our team members, and we celebrated several well-deserved promotions in 2024,” says Asa Whitfield, Managing Director of Whitfield Consulting Services (WCS).
“These promotions are a testament to the dedication, hard work, and talent of our team, and we couldn’t be prouder of their accomplishments. We believe in creating opportunities for growth and fostering a supportive culture where people can thrive.”
Promotions included Mohamed Omar, Paul Fany and Mohammad Hamid Ehsan advancing from their graduate positions to Civil Design Engineers, and Nick Lowe stepping into the Director role.
Our supportive culture makes daily work rewarding for all. As one team member reflects, “The warmth and friendliness of the people make it feel like such a welcoming environment. Collaborating with experts like Nick Lowe, Asa Whitfield, Matt Smith, and Jeremy Barnes has been inspiring. Their knowledge and willingness to help us succeed is fantastic.”
In addition, we welcomed 11 new team members, including BIM/CAD Technicians, Civil/Structural Engineers, Principal Engineers, Graduate Civil Engineers, Business Support Manager, and Civil Design Engineers.
Expanding our impact in Rail, Power & Energy
The growth of our team in 2024 reflects the reputation WCS has built as a civil engineering consultancy trusted by industry leaders. Our quick responses, reliable expertise, and team-focused approach help clients achieve successful outcomes — on time, within budget, and with minimal stress.
As part of our growth strategy, we are steadily attracting new projects, with our expertise being called on by industry leaders such as VolkerFitzpatrick, Hitachi Energy, Murphy, and UK Power Networks Services.
Notable projects include:
- London Power Tunnels 2: a £750 million National Grid initiative to secure London’s electricity supply
- Hornsea 3: set to become the world’s largest offshore wind farm
- Surrey Quays Station: upgrades to strengthen the London Overground’s power infrastructure
Read part one and part two of our new projects won series; plus, see our downloadable case study brochures for Power & Energy and Rail sectors, detailing projects including:
- Midland Main Line upgrade: a £1.5 billion electrification and modernisation programme
- Welborne Garden Village: electricity for an entire new community of 6,000 homes
“We help unlock the challenges posed by complex civil engineering projects across the Rail and Power & Energy sectors, combining exceptional technical skill with strong collaboration. Our clients trust us for our responsiveness, expertise, and our ability to adapt to evolving challenges,” says Asa.
Project highlights: revitalising Hackney’s Downs Park Road Overbridge
One of the standout projects, which spanned several years and saw its construction phase completed in 2024, was the restoration of the 154-year-old Downs Park Road Overbridge in Hackney. Facing significant structural deterioration, the bridge demanded urgent attention. WCS, appointed by Murphy under Network Rail’s Control Period 6 remit, provided design solutions to rebuild the structure to last another 120 years. Engineers Mohamed Omar and Jeremy Barnes overcame unique challenges to deliver this lasting upgrade.
Inspiring future generations
Our team is passionate about inspiring the next generation of engineers. Many of our team members – including Celine Mahfoud, a Graduate Civil Engineer – have been actively involved in promoting engineering careers to young people, especially girls. Through local school career fairs, presentations, and workplace visits, she has made significant contributions to encouraging the next generation to pursue engineering.
“Inspiring the next generation is essential to ensure a pipeline of innovative engineers who can develop and maintain our built environment, contributing to a more sustainable future and helping the UK achieve its Net Zero ambition,” says Celine.
Learn more about Celine’s work inspiring future generations.
A focus on continuous learning
Throughout 2024, we provided Continuing Professional Development (CPD) opportunities to ensure our team remains at the forefront of industry advancements.
“WCS is really good for CPD; there are speakers who come in regularly, as well as course learning,” says team member Shane Govender, Senior Civil Engineer.
“WCS provides CPD opportunities to ensure that we stay up to speed with the latest developments, across a range of topics from sustainability to construction best practice,” adds Ricardo Villamil, Senior Civil Design Engineer.
“These training sessions are so helpful, allowing me to enhance my skills and knowledge base, keeping me abreast of industry advancements,” says Ricardo.
CPDs offered to the team this year included three days of training in National Grid’s Supplier Requirements (SR), impressed Voltages and CDM 2015, which allows the team to undertake the Contractor’s Design Approval Engineers (CDAE – Civils) role on projects.
Leading the way in sustainability
We believe that how we achieve ambitious infrastructure goals is just as important as the outcomes themselves. The construction and building sector accounts for around 42% of global carbon emissions, so we are committed to designing and building with minimal environmental impact. From careful material selection to adopting innovative construction techniques, our projects are crafted with sustainability at their core.
For more information on how civil engineering practices can support the circular economy and sustainable railway infrastructure, visit:
- How Engineers Can Support the Circular Economy
- Sustainable Civil Engineering Practices for Resilient Railway Infrastructure
Looking ahead
As we reflect on a remarkable year of progress, we remain focused on driving the future of civil engineering through our projects, people, and commitment to sustainability. The growth of our team and the successful completion of key projects in the Rail and Power & Energy sectors highlight the trust placed in us by clients. From advancing the UK’s journey toward Net Zero to inspiring the next generation of engineers, we are proud to contribute to a more sustainable and resilient built environment.
We look forward to continuing to deliver impactful projects throughout 2025, while fostering a company culture of growth, collaboration, and continuous learning. We remain dedicated to making a lasting difference – helping shape the infrastructure of tomorrow, reducing environmental impact, and inspiring future generations to follow in our footsteps.
If you’re looking for a dependable partner for your next Rail or Power & Energy project, contact WCS to see how we can support you. Get in touch.
