Oliver Brown - Construction Manager, M Group Highways

As we celebrate stories like Oliver’s, we’re proud to show how our supportive environment, hands-on experience, and development opportunities create meaningful pathways for growth.

At M Group, our commitment goes beyond building infrastructure — we build careers where people can learn, grow, and thrive.

 

What was your apprenticeship experience like at M Group?

I’ve worked for 18 years in the business and 10 months in my current interim position.  I started with Cambridgeshire Highways as a fresh-faced school leaver in 2006 as a CAD Technician apprentice. I slowly but surely completed a part time Civil Engineering degree over 7 years.

I have since progressed through the design team to Principal Engineer, now as Construction Manager for the M Group Highways - Cambridgeshire Highways schemes team.

I have seen a lot of change over the years but the support from the business to progress my career has always been strong. In the early days I was helped by other technicians & graduates ahead of me, so now I also try and ‘pay that forward’ where I can. 

I am currently on a Level 5 Leadership and Management apprenticeship.  My current role is a huge change from the design team roles I previously held - I am now responsible for operational delivery of schemes on site. The best part is I still get to work with the same great people who I previously designed schemes with and for. 

How do you feel that the business rewarded you for your hard work? 

I feel so lucky to have been able to grow at M Group both with my career and as a person. We spend so much of our lives at work, and I really feel like we need to make the most of the opportunities we have around us. 
Last year, I won the Role Model of the Year award at the Beyond Expectations Awards 2024. This recognised my contribution to developing our team internally, encouraging others and sharing my expertise with others. I have become relatively well known in the contract through my extensive experience - my wife still laughs that I won!

I was honoured to win this award, let alone be nominated. I’d like to think that having integrity, being trustworthy and helpful also contributed to me winning.

The beyond expectations awards are a really good way to hear about what other people in different divisions are working on and what they’re achieved too. 

Which of our values do you most closely relate to, and how do you demonstrate this value in your daily work?  (Responsibility, Open, Together, Ambitious)

I work with two design teams and lead a team of nine managing construction sites, we work best when we work as a team to solve problems and provide solutions. I think the other three values will come as a result of being invested in working ‘together’ collaboratively.

If I could pass on one piece of advice, it would be to be more ‘open’ and talk to your colleagues - spend time getting to know them. It’s also a good way to identify when someone is struggling – we can pull together to support them through rough times. This can also help us understand why mistakes may have happened. It’s all part of learning and working towards the bigger picture.

The thing that keeps me most motivated is using ambitious ways of solving problems, I love a good puzzle. I enjoy figuring out how to make things work better and more efficiently - whether that be something I work on alone or as part of a wider group. Seeing my teams thrive and projects come together gets me out of bed in the morning.

Outside of work I have a wife and three children which take up a lot of my time. We are involved in a few local charities and organisations. I am a keen supporter a local charity for Fathers, Father figures & families, my also wife organises and runs the toddler group at our local Church.

How have you taken ownership and been accountable for the works we deliver?

I like to give back, M Group has given me so many opportunities over the years and like our new values say, ‘we are greater than the sum of the parts’.

I have organised a number of social value STEM days, school visits, T-Level support and have helped with the emerging talent apprenticeship & graduate programme. Over 60% of our design team have come through M Group’s apprenticeship scheme including myself, two senior engineers and several others. If there's a chance to give back or give people the opportunities I have had, then I’m all for it!

I have moved up through formal training and have increased my responsibilities by taking on line management, there’s no reason you can’t too!

Do you have any unusual skills and what would surprise people if they found this out about you? 

The two that surprise most are that I am an avid Kickboxer heading towards a black belt. I also have a few self-taught circus skills including juggling and diablo (a juggling prop that looks like an hourglass-shaped yo-yo). 

My guilty pleasure is Lego; I’ve always loved building and creating things from the ground up and LEGO gives me the perfect outlet for that passion. Sets like the Technic Excavator and Modular buildings combine intricate design with real-world engineering, letting me explore creativity through construction. It’s not just a hobby it’s how I unwind, think differently, and let my mind wander. 

My family, friends, and colleagues describe me as ambitious, dedicated and supportive. I think innovation and ambition go hand in hand – it is the value I relate to most. 

Thank you, Oliver, for your continued dedication and hard work and welcome to our M Group 'hall of fame''!