PETER COURTENAY
Peter combines his passion for engineering with a drive to make buildings more energy efficient, sustainable and future-focused. From energy modelling to becoming a certified Passivhaus consultant, his career has been built around curiosity, continuous learning and challenging the way things are done. For Peter, the most rewarding part is sharing knowledge and helping teams turn innovative ideas into better-performing buildings.
What’s the most rewarding part of your job at Bouygues UK?
I love working with colleagues and consultant partners to figure out innovative ways of making buildings energy efficient, low carbon and sustainable. One of the most rewarding parts of my job is when colleagues in pre-construction and production come directly to me to ask for advice on a scheme, based on having a positive working relationship on the last job! Building Physics is very exciting and constantly changing, and I jump at the earliest opportunity to share knowledge amongst colleagues on any new developments, such as new low-energy building standards, overheating research studies, policy documents, software tools and more!
What does “Building for life” mean to you?
It means what we are doing today, the ideas we have, our collective vision for a project, the decisions we make, will have real-world outcomes for all the people that will live, work and play in the buildings we create. We have the responsibility, and more importantly the privilege, to build spaces that will create memories for generations to come. The house that your family grew up in, the hospital that cared for your loved ones, the school that your kids have joyous memories in. What we do today, will have imprints for generations to come. So take pride in everything we do!
How has Bouygues UK supported your development?
By teaching me to be inquisitive, and to challenge everything that is being done around me, in a respectful, honest and open way. Building projects are complex, and one person rarely has all the right answers. I started as a young engineer intrusted to lead energy modelling, and by being put in at the deep end, I was able to learn the best path for myself and my professional development. My passion for doing things better each day has been supported at Bouygues UK, where I have been given the opportunity to gain certifications, including most recently as a Passivhaus consultant. I know at Bouygues UK that, if I put a considered business case forward, I will be heard. That mutual respect is invaluable.
How would you describe the culture to someone new joining?
To be yourself! To bring your whole self to work, not just a version of yourself you think will fit in. You will earn respect by the content of your character, not by playing any games. The Bouygues UK I joined in 2015 is nothing like the one I am proud to work in today. The pioneering spirit is real and we are always striving to do better every day. If something isn’t working, there is a way to change it! Believe in yourself and your ideas, and others will back you. That has been my journey so far, why can’t it be the same for you?
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.