JAMES JOHNSTON
Since joining Bouygues UK after university, James has developed his career through hands-on experience across different projects, supported by experienced colleagues and structured training. As a Quantity Surveyor, he enjoys the challenge of bringing procurement packages together and working with teams and supply chain partners to find the right solutions. He believes that sharing knowledge and asking questions are key to building both great projects and great careers.
What’s the most rewarding part of your job at Bouygues UK?
As a Quantity Surveyor, the most rewarding part of my role is procurement. I work with multiple teams to put together the right package, making sure it meets the project’s needs while also supporting the business. There are a lot of moving parts, so you have to get many things right while providing the right level of service to the team and engaging with the most suitable subcontractor from our supply chain. Getting everything over the line and into an executed contract is one of the many finish lines I enjoy crossing at Bouygues UK.
What does “Building for life” mean to you?
Building for Life can be interpreted in several ways, but to me it means standing the test of time. Many of the structures we build will still be standing long after we are gone, so we need to build them to the highest quality possible. As a company, we strive to build it once and build it right. In doing so, we are building for the people who will live, work and thrive in the buildings we create, and for the generations that come after us.
How has Bouygues UK supported your development?
I started at Bouygues UK in 2021 after completing my studies at university, with little experience in the construction industry. Throughout my journey, I’ve visited many of Bouygues UK’s sites and attended structured training sessions, which have helped me develop my skillset. One of the biggest factors in my development, however, has been being surrounded by supportive and experienced colleagues. Shadowing, observing, listening and asking questions have all played a major role in my growth. You quickly come to realise that the phrase “no such thing as a stupid question” is critical to your development.
How would you describe the culture to someone new joining?
I’d personally describe Bouygues UK’s culture as diverse. Throughout my time here, I’ve been surrounded by people with a wide range of backgrounds, experiences and technical skills. Every team I’ve been part of has been willing to work together towards a common goal: delivering high-quality projects within the timeframe. Everyone brings a different set of skills, so it’s important that we work as a team and support each other by sharing knowledge and experience.
Join us
At Bouygues UK, we are dedicated to supporting, inspiring and challenging our teams to be the best they can be.
We know that attracting the best talent onto our next generation programmes is the most sustainable way to develop our future business leaders. We need people who share our passion to help communities to live, work and grow stronger through the projects we deliver.