Breakfast with Bouygues UK’s Emerging Talent

At Bouygues UK, nurturing the next generation of industry leaders is central to our mission. Our CEO Philippe Bernard hosted an Emerging Talent Breakfast at our Oriel site, where graduates, apprentices, and interns from flagship projects including Oriel, the Ambulatory Diagnostics Centre (ADC) and Cambridge Children’s Hospital, came together for an inspiring session.

The event was an opportunity for our emerging talent team to connect directly with our leadership. Collectively, they prepared more than 30 thoughtful questions for Philippe, covering everything from the evolution of Bouygues UK and the construction industry to his personal reflections and leadership journey.

Philippe spoke candidly about his career and the future direction of Bouygues UK, encouraging attendees to ‘live in the present’ and describing his current role as the most fulfilling chapter yet. He offered practical advice for those starting out in their careers, emphasising the importance of choosing an employer that shares your values, prioritising continuous learning, and developing a balance of hard and soft skills. He also highlighted how building meaningful relationships with colleagues, learning from mistakes, and maintaining transparency have been instrumental to his growth.

A key takeaway from the discussion was the importance of collaboration. Philippe urged everyone to break down silos, embrace curiosity, and respect diverse expertise within the organisation. By engaging with colleagues from other disciplines and fostering a team-centric mindset, he believes emerging talent can become true project partners and drive innovation across Bouygues UK.

“Connecting with graduates, apprentices, and interns reminded me how essential supporting new talent is, not just for Bouygues UK’s future, but for our success today. Our emerging talent reminds me of the need to bring simplicity to the way we work, embrace digitalisation, and bring creativity to our business. Their questions challenge us to think differently and ensure we stay agile in a fast-changing market.”

Philippe Bernard, Chair & CEO at Bouygues UK

The session also welcomed Gladys Moore from our Learning & Development team, who outlined career mobility and growth opportunities available across the Bouygues Group. Gladys introduced the formation of our new Emerging Talent Network – a dedicated space for graduates, apprentices, and interns to connect and share insights from different areas of the business. Both she and Philippe agreed that open dialogue is essential for understanding the broader organisation and discovering new career pathways.

As we continue to support and engage our emerging talent, Bouygues UK remains committed to fostering an environment where every individual can thrive, innovate, and build a rewarding career.