GRAHAM Construction’s ‘visionary’ approach to whole person development has been celebrated at the prestigious Highways England Health, Safety & Wellbeing Awards. Seeing off a host of industry-leading competition, GRAHAM’s CONNECT personal development programme was named the ‘Health and Wellbeing Initiative of the Year’ at a glittering ceremony on Wednesday (7th March) in London’s Connaught Rooms. CONNECT is an innovative whole person wellbeing programme, which has been developed and championed by GRAHAM – a privately-owned company, ranked 16th in the Sunday Times Grant Thornton Top Track 250. Based on cutting-edge research across performance, health and wellbeing, CONNECT has already produced eye-catching results, as GRAHAM’s Managing Director – Civil Engineering Leo Martin explains. “Since the initial pilot programme, we have seen employee turnover for participants fall to just 1 per cent, while 85 per cent of participants have rated the programme as ‘excellent’ on an independent survey,” said Leo. “CONNECT has been an unparalleled success and as a result we are extremely proud to have been awarded this prestigious accolade by Highways England. As a business, we understand the importance of health and safety performance across the construction industry, particularly in the Highways sector. This award is further validation of our deep expertise and understanding.” The awards are dedicated to health, safety and wellbeing achievements, excellence and innovation across Highways England’s supply chain and road users. Indeed, the prestigious accolade follows GRAHAM’s recent attainment of Investors In People’s Platinum and Wellbeing accreditations. As a measure of GRAHAM’s belief in CONNECT’s ground breaking impact, it will invest over £1m throughout 2018-19 to roll out the programme to all of its 2,200+ employees spread across the UK and Ireland. “We are now beginning a full roll out across the entire business. Our commitment to driving excellence in health, safety and wellbeing led to the development of the CONNECT programme, and we are now reaping the benefits of its implementation,” continued Leo. “CONNECT is a valuable tool, which can significantly impact the attraction and retention of talent within our industry. It is adaptable to other construction companies and has the potential to be a unique, breakthrough model programme for wellbeing in the UK workforce.” Jim O’Sullivan, Chief Executive of Highways England said: “It’s well known that safety is our first imperative and I am delighted that these awards highlight that. The camera system, for example, will ultimately save lives. The submissions show how innovative ways of thinking will make things safer for those working on and using our strategic road network and these awards also highlight the mental health and wellbeing of staff is as important as feeling safe in the workplace. I look forward to seeing more achievements in years to come.” GRAHAM is continuing to develop its partnership with Highways England following the successful delivery of a number of contracts over the last few years, including the Chelmer Viaduct valued at £21 million, as well as the completion of the Great Howard Street bridge replacement scheme for Liverpool City Council (£8 million), procured through the Highways England CDF Lot 2 Framework. Last month the company completed a milestone beam lift at the A47 Saddlebow Interchange in King’s Lynn as part of a £3.5 million bridge strengthening project. GRAHAM is also currently undertaking a scheme to install conventional noise barriers on the M40 motorway as part of a series of improvements between Junctions 3 and 8 of the motorway, with the ultimate goal of reducing noise pollution along the route.