One thing Jubb is very proud of and sets us apart from the competition is the access clients and new enquiries have to our directors. They are not in their ivory towers protected by gatekeepers but their details are on our website and you are encouraged to pick up the phone or email them directly if you have a question about the sector they lead.
In this vein, we are running a spotlight on our directors, their careers and where their passion truly lies when it comes to the work they do.
Rob Harrhy, MD, is leading from the front and is the first to step into the spotlight and tells us about some of his favourite projects, both Jubb’s and structures worldwide.
What is your Engineering speciality?
I guess my sweet spot is in leading the regeneration of brownfield land – taking old assets and enabling them for re-development into something to suit current day needs. This work needs us to use the full suite of skills that “old school” civil engineers like me can offer – not just technical (although land of this nature is demanding across a range of disciplines) but also with a planning and commercial focus.
When I started my career the Engineer was the client’s critical friend; to help him achieve his aspirations for the project. Regeneration projects still have a place for that all-encompassing role, which is what I enjoy the most.
What are your favourite projects or the ones you are most proud of and why?
My favourite Jubb project is Butts Bridge at Alton. A challenging project technically to replace a Victorian brick arch railway bridge as part of a wider scheme of highway extensions and enhancements. For me, it showcased the entire range of our services which had input from every discipline and office within the business.
Cross party teamwork has been a big theme for me since joining the business in 2013 and it was great to see that culture in action. But more than that, our clients Harvington Properties and Homes England, were a pleasure to work with giving support, advice and challenge in a fair handed way which made the project a pleasure to work on.
I have also been fortunate to have led the re-development of the former Royal Naval Air Station at Osprey Quay in Portland, culminating in the delivery of the Olympic Sailing venue for the 2012 Games. It is a fascinating site in a beautiful environmental setting. This has been a twenty year project for me leading the transformation of the site for SWRDA/HCA/Homes England into a vibrant mixed use development through the delivery of major new infrastructure and flood defences. My connection with the site started during my time at WYG but continues today supporting The Land Trust to manage the estate and new developers who continue to invest in the site.
What is your favourite structure worldwide?
The Millau Viaduct for a few reasons. Firstly, it’s an amazing and beautiful structure but I also like that its design was engineering led in a country that truly recognises and protects the status of the Engineer. On the sentimental side, a long time ago my wife worked as a teacher in Millau and I remember visiting the town long before the bridge was built before going back a few years ago to check out the bridge and to see how the town has changed post viaduct.
