From Junior Engineer to Managing Director, Steve Helliwell’s career journey has been shaped by stepping forward, taking opportunities and helping others do the same. As he announces his retirement after a 13-year career with Balfour Beatty, he reflects on leadership, career progression and why internal mobility creates opportunities for people to grow – for the full blog on the Balfour Beatty website click HERE.
Steve joined the industry in 1987 as a Junior Engineer, working on major infrastructure projects and learning the fundamentals of the industry early in his career. Over time, he progressed through engineering and project management roles before moving into senior leadership positions.
Looking back, Steve Helliwell believes he always had a clear vision of where he wanted to go.
“From a very early stage of my career, I mapped out my career journey and measured my progress every year,” Steve says. This ambition was driven by my desire to reach a leadership position where I could add real value to business decisions.”
But progression, he says, was never something he expected to happen by itself.
For Steve, joining Balfour Beatty represented the chance to join a business that had always stood out in the industry.
“Balfour Beatty was always considered to be an industry leader when I was growing up in the industry,” he says. “The business has gone from strength to strength and offered me the opportunity to further progress my career and get involved in some amazing projects with some amazing people.”
Throughout his time at Balfour Beatty, Steve repeatedly took on wider responsibilities and moved into new areas of the business. He sees that willingness to step forward as one of the biggest factors in his own development.
“I have enjoyed several great roles here and the business has given me opportunities to develop and learn more,” he says. “I consider myself very lucky, but I always put my hand up to get involved in wider business opportunities.”
Some of those moments included taking on Managing Director roles and later stepping into the Interim CEO position within UK Construction Services (UKCS).
While challenging, they became defining moments.
“It took me outside my comfort zone, but that’s where you learn,” he says. “I learned quickly to draw on the support of others around me.”
Across nearly four decades in the industry, Steve says the most rewarding moments have always involved people.
“There is nothing more rewarding than leading a team to successful outcomes,” he says. “I’ve taken risks promoting people into more senior roles and while they haven’t always worked, the majority have. Seeing individuals progress their careers is hugely rewarding.”
His leadership philosophy remained simple throughout:
“Treat people with respect, be clear on what you expect and give people an opportunity to thrive.”
Highways News would like to wish Steve Helliwell a happy retirement.
(Picture: Balfour Beatty)
