VINCI Energies has a long history in the UK. Can you tell us more about its origins and evolution?

Scott: Our history in the UK dates back to 1907, when what is now our Actemium M&E business was originally known as Lee Beesley, a specialist electrical and mechanical engineering company based in Coventry. Since then, our teams have been at the forefront of industrial electrification, working on early factory installations, infrastructure projects, and even pioneering automation within industries.

Over the decades, our teams have played a role in shaping the UK’s industrial landscape. We adapted through multiple technological revolutions, supporting the automotive development in the Midlands, through wartime efforts such as electrification and development of munitions factories, to contributing to the rise of industrial automation and digital technologies in the late 20th century.

In 1991, Lee Beesley became part of VINCI Energies, marking the beginning of a new era of growth and diversification. Since then, we have expanded our presence through several strategic acquisitions and have positioned ourselves at the heart of industrial, digital, and energy infrastructure transformation. Today, under VINCI Energies UK & ROI, and our market facing Brands Actemium, Axians and Omexom, we continue to build on this strong legacy, staying ahead of major market trends while remaining true to our entrepreneurial spirit.

VINCI Energies UK & ROI has experienced significant growth in recent years. What has driven this success?

Scott: Over the past three years, we have seen our turnover increased by 94% to reach £390M in 2024 while increasing the number of our Business Units from 28 to 41. 74% of our activity now comes from infrastructure and digital compared to 65% in 2022, evidencing the importance of the megatrends of the Energy Transition and Digital Transformation for us. This growth has been achieved through a combination of strategic investments, a clear vision, and a deep commitment to empowering our people with more than 85% of this growth being delivered organically. In the last year alone, we have welcomed more than 400 new colleagues into the business. Our growth and our ability to onboard new colleagues into our way of life are a testament to the strong foundations and the spirit of the teams we have built, particularly over the last 15 years, which have enabled us to adapt and thrive in the face of industry shifts.

What is unique about VINCI Energies’ business model, and how has it contributed to this success?

Scott: One of our biggest strengths, alongside our workforce, is our business model, which is designed to foster resilience, create agility, and deliver empowerment. We operate through a decentralised network of business units, allowing us to stay close to our customers and respond quickly to their evolving needs. Each of our human-sized, segmented, and flexible business units has deep sector expertise and the autonomy to make fast decisions, ensuring we remain at the forefront of innovation. I think this even more relevant in today’s current climate given the developing geopolitical situation.

Additionally, we are guided by a common management philosophy and a set of shared values—entrepreneurial mindset, autonomy, solidarity, trust, and responsibility. These principles create a strong culture where our people are empowered to lead, innovate, and safely deliver quality results for our customer.

I am regularly reminded that, by the deployment of these values and our business model, we are able to provide real opportunities to develop a career within VINCI Energies, which is one of the most, if not the most rewarding, elements of my job – seeing people grow within our Business.

The energy transition is reshaping industries. How is VINCI Energies supporting this transformation?

Scott: The UK and Ireland are undergoing a historic transformation in energy infrastructure. The push towards renewables such as wind, solar, and hydrogen is completely reshaping power networks, while the electrification of transport is accelerating demand for localised infrastructure at an unprecedented rate. At the same time, industries are under growing pressure to move towards sustainable and indeed cost-efficient manufacturing.

At VINCI Energies, we are helping businesses and communities navigate these changes by delivering smart, resilient, and sustainable energy solutions through our brands Omexom and Actemium. Our expertise in grid modernisation, energy storage, and sustainable transport solutions is playing a crucial role in building a more efficient and reliable infrastructure for our clients and society. Fully aware of the volume of work that presents itself to drive the energy transition, the team launched a dedicated Omexom Institute in Castleford in 2023 to help develop new skilled professionals in the electrical industry. In parallel, we continue to assess opportunities to replicate this model in Scotland and Ireland, ensuring a robust and sustainable workforce to meet the growing demands of the sector.

Industries are also focused on energy and process efficiency. How is VINCI Energies addressing this challenge?

Scott: There is a growing focus on optimising energy consumption, reducing emissions, and improving automation. Many industries are integrating advanced automation, predictive maintenance, and energy monitoring to cut waste and improve efficiency.

Our teams specialise in smart automation, process optimisation, and industrial IoT solutions, helping businesses operate more sustainably and profitably. Over the past year, our Actemium teams have played a key role in expanding the UK’s EV charging network, enhancing energy efficiency in legacy manufacturing processes, and installing energy-efficient equipment across multiple manufacturing sites, driving sustainability and operational improvements. Furthermore, as an international Group we have the ability to reach back into our organisation and utilise Global R&D expertise and, something that I am personally excited to explore more, our involvement with LEONARD – an innovation and foresight platform created by VINCI in 2017, which serves as a hub for exploring future trends, developing new business models, and supporting startups and innovative projects.

The digital revolution is transforming infrastructure and business. How is VINCI Energies supporting digital transformation?

Scott: The digital shift is accelerating across all industries, with AI, IoT, digital twins, and cloud computing driving major changes in manufacturing, smart infrastructure, and asset management. Businesses need to adopt data-driven decision-making, smart factories, and automation to stay competitive.

Through our Axians and Actemium brands, we continue to help businesses integrate digital solutions that enhance efficiency and drive higher performance. Our Axians teams are actively deploying SD-WAN managed solutions, minimising downtime and optimising network performance for clients across the industrial, education, and retail sectors. Meanwhile, our Industrial IoT and automation expertise enables manufacturers to streamline operations, reduce downtime, and make data-driven decisions with greater precision.

With increased digitalisation, cybersecurity risks are rising. What role does VINCI Energies play in protecting critical infrastructure?

Scott: Cybersecurity is more crucial than ever, especially with the increasing convergence of Operational Technology (OT) and IT. As industries become more digital, they have the potential to be more vulnerable to cyber threats. We have already seen global incidents targeting energy grids, industrial control systems in the Water Industry, and connected infrastructure in Manufacturing.

Cybersecurity is embedded in every “megatrend” we see, and I believe wholeheartedly that we can help our customers to actively strengthen their cyber resilience across industries. Our teams work to both design and secure critical infrastructure, protect industrial control systems, and ensure businesses can safely embrace digital transformation.

People are at the heart of VINCI Energies’ success. How is the company investing in talent development?

Scott: Our biggest asset and competitive advantage is our people, they are the ones who drive innovation and transformation, which is why we are committed to developing their skills, management and leadership potential. As a business who typically self-delivers, this is paramount to our success. Over the last few years, we have launched five new people development programmes, expanded our apprenticeship and graduate schemes, and introduced dedicated training institutes to provide industry specific technical learning opportunities. In the last three years, our number of employees has grown by 46% whilst our number of graduates increased by 63% since 2023. In 2025, we expect to strengthen our workforce by a further 13% as we continue to support the Energy transition in the UK and Ireland. 

We also recognise the importance of diversity and inclusion, which is why we have introduced our Elevate programme specifically designed to support talented women within our business, and in the last three years the mix of female to male ratio has increased from 15.2% to 19%.  By fostering an inclusive and empowering work environment, we are building the next generation of industry leaders, but there is still more to do both as a company and as an Industry.

How is VINCI Energies UK & ROI supporting local communities and the environment?

Scott: At VINCI Energies, we strongly believe in giving back to the communities in which we operate. We are very proud to be associated with the VINCI UK Foundation, an organisation that has seen VINCI Group companies in the UK support 289 charities and community projects since 2016, providing nearly £1.6 million in grants, along with the invaluable support of our dedicated employees who volunteer their time and expertise.

Beyond the Foundation, our business units actively engage in local sponsorships, supporting youth sports teams, educational initiatives, and environmental conservation projects. Whether it’s partnering with schools to promote STEM careers, sponsoring grassroots sports, or investing in local sustainability initiatives, we are committed to making a positive impact in our communities.

At VINCI Energies, driving the energy transition is only part of our commitment—we are equally dedicated to reducing our own environmental impact. Our ambition is to cut our direct carbon emissions by 40% by 2030, we have made solid progress through substantial electrification of our fleet and switching our energy contracts to green tariffs and will continue to invest in making the socially responsible choices when it comes to investment in plant and equipment, learning from the multiple initiatives the wider Group is deploying and discussing with customers greener solutions, methods and opportunities to make a difference.

Looking ahead, what is the future for VINCI Energies UK & ROI?

Scott: The future is incredibly exciting. We are deeply committed to deliver the promises of the digital and energy revolutions through continued investment in renewable energy, smart infrastructure, digital innovation, and people development.

The challenges ahead are significant—but so are the opportunities. With our strong foundations, entrepreneurial spirit, and commitment to sustainability, we are ready to support the transformation of energy, infrastructure, and industry for generations to come.