New starters

Laura Davey, Operational Training Partner
Laura Davey has joined May Gurney's HR team as Operational Training Partner.

Laura's brief is to assist the Group Learning and Development Manager and the HR team with the delivery of the HR business plan and KPIs.

Prior to joining May Gurney, Laura worked for the Royal Bank of Scotland (she joined what was formerly the Virgin One account) for more than seven years. She progressed to a management role, firstly within debt management and then with the training team.

"Having decided it was time to move on, I was instantly attracted to May Gurney for several reasons," Laura explains. "I was keen to work with a company that had a reputation for integrity, a genuine desire to train and develop their staff, and that recognised the value in doing so.

"Despite its size, May Gurney still has the feel of a family business and the core values that this brings with it. I was confident that I would enjoy the working environment, and that the move to a new industry would provide me with a challenging role and the opportunity to make a significant contribution.

"I've only been here a few weeks but I already feel quite settled - despite a steep learning curve. Developing my understanding of the construction industry has been the biggest challenge and I am sure that this will continue to be 'work in progress' for some time.

"In the short term my aspiration is to get to know my team. With trainers based across the UK it hasn't been possible to meet everyone yet - but I know how fortunate I am to have a team of experienced and skilled people who already make a valuable contribution to the business."

Duncan Gray, BISHE System Manager
Duncan Gray is May Gurney's new BISHE Systems Manager. He took up post on 10 April.

Based at Trowse, Duncan's responsibilities include disseminating BISHE information to SHE managers & advisors, monitoring and collating monthly site SHE activities, and assisting in the production of monthly BISHE reports for senior managers.

Prior to joining May Gurney, Duncan was Safety Advisor with Ardmore Construction. Before that he was a self employed HS&E consultant, and also worked part-time for one of May Gurney Rail Services' plant suppliers.

"I was approached by an agency about the position - when I found out it was with May Gurney I was even more interested," Duncan explains.

"I learnt quite a bit about May Gurney after researching the company when I applied for another position last year, and also through colleagues who were members of a safety group that includes May Gurney.

"May Gurney is viewed as a forward thinking major player, and I'm looking forward to working in a large, proactive company."

Away from work, Duncan lives near Bury St Edmunds with his wife and their two teenage boys. His hobbies include walking and squash.

Brian Yates - Pensions Manager
Brian Yates has joined May Gurney as Pensions Manager, based at the Trowse office

Brian is responsible for the management of May Gurney's pension arrangements, including those where employees have retained membership of external arrangements such as the LGPS.

He is also acting as Secretary to the Trustees of May Gurney's Defined Benefit Scheme. In that capacity he is working closely with the company's pension providers, consultant actuaries, and the internal HR and payroll teams.

Brian has always been involved in the pension industry, predominantly in the operation of in-house pension arrangements. Most recently he has been engaged in contract work, which has included spells with MFI and Alstom - a heavy engineering company based in the midlands.

He also had a three-year spell with the Government of Botswana, where he was responsible for overseeing the operation of the pensions industry in that country.

"On returning to the UK, I was looking for a more permanent position and identified May Gurney as a proactive, 'young' company - although the company was first established in 1926.

"I am looking forward to developing the pensions area within May Gurney, particularly with regard to services provided and communication with employees - at a time when the UK pensions industry is going through a period of considerable change."