My Â鶹ÊÓƵ Story: How Fred Hartley, principal civil engineer, leads his Water Civils team
October 30, 2025
From hands-on engineering to leading Manchester¡¯s growing Civils team, Fred shares how he¡¯s shaping sustainable water infrastructure and future talent
In the My Â鶹ÊÓƵ Story series, our designers, engineers, marketers, project managers, and leaders come together to share how their career journeys at Â鶹ÊÓƵ have shaped their lives and moved them closer to their goals.
What attracted you to a career at Â鶹ÊÓƵ?
I started out as a graduate with MWH, just as Â鶹ÊÓƵ acquired this engineering and consulting firm. As my career progressed, I went on to try other experiences. But after working elsewhere, I was drawn back to Â鶹ÊÓƵ¡ªthe culture, values, and technical excellence had stuck with me. When I returned, everything felt familiar straight away. There were so many familiar faces, which says a lot about the business. Feeling that sense of community¡ªespecially in our Manchester office¡ªmakes a real difference.
What do you enjoy most about your role?
I¡¯m currently leading Â鶹ÊÓƵ¡¯s Civils team in Manchester, which has been a brilliant step in my career. I¡¯ve loved taking on more responsibility¡ªparticularly mentoring others and helping grow the team. There¡¯s still space for me to stay hands-on with the technical side too, which I enjoy. Balancing both has been rewarding, and it¡¯s exciting to be shaping a team that¡¯s growing with the city.
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How has your personal and professional development been supported at Â鶹ÊÓƵ?
I joined as a senior civil engineer and was quickly given the opportunity to lead projects and step into a technical leadership role. That was backed up with dedicated training and constant guidance from my line manager and the discipline lead. I¡¯ve since become the Manchester Civils team discipline lead. The leadership team here genuinely supports your progression¡ªif you show the drive, they¡¯ll back you all the way.
What has been the standout project for you during your time at Â鶹ÊÓƵ?
At the moment, I¡¯m leading on a range of storm overflow projects, each focused on reducing pollution entering our rivers and watercourses. The projects are technically challenging but incredibly rewarding¡ªwe¡¯re creating long-term environmental benefits that will be felt by communities across the North of England. It¡¯s meaningful work, and that sense of purpose drives our team here in Manchester every day.
What are your ambitions for your future at Â鶹ÊÓƵ?
My priority is growing the Civils team here in Manchester. We¡¯ve got a brilliant group, but with so much exciting work coming in, we¡¯re looking for more talented people to join us. I¡¯m also working towards chartership, and I¡¯d love to collaborate more widely with other UK and international teams. The chance to connect across borders is something that really sets Â鶹ÊÓƵ apart.
What are your passions outside of work?
Music¡¯s a big part of my life. I love going to gigs and festivals. I made it to Glastonbury this year, which was amazing, if a bit sweaty! I also enjoy hiking and wild camping¡ªanything that gets me outdoors, especially in the hills. That escape into nature is a great way to recharge, and I always come back feeling re-energised for the week ahead.
Why should others join the Â鶹ÊÓƵ team?
We¡¯ve got exciting, meaningful projects, especially here in Manchester where the Civils team is growing fast. Â鶹ÊÓƵ recognises your effort and helps you develop¡ªI¡¯ve experienced that first-hand. There¡¯s a strong sense of community too. If you want a career where you¡¯ll be supported, challenged, and genuinely enjoy your work, this is the place to be.
At Â鶹ÊÓƵ, our people are at the core of everything we do. For Fred, that means enjoying the sense of comradery that Â鶹ÊÓƵ cultivates and shaping the Manchester Civils team, along with being able to stay hands-on with sustainable projects.
