As someone who has been part of the VINCI UK Foundation since day one, how has the Foundation evolved over the past 10 years?

It’s evolved over the years in that we have more sponsors coming forward now than ever before and more charities and non-for-profit organisations needing help. I think it’s become quite apparent that the need has become bigger and greater and we’ve had to evolve each year by adapting our application process to deal with those needs, we’ve had to find ways to ensure that we’re sponsoring the ones with a good sponsor connection and are real, genuine projects.

Since the Foundation launched, how have you seen its impact grow for both the charities we support and the colleagues who get involved?

The VINCI UK Foundation is funded by all the subsidiaries of VINCI in the UK and Ireland and I have seen the number of applications growing significantly each year. When we launched the Foundation, we only received 52 applications and this year, we’ve received 99 which came as a shock to me, but it just goes to show the needs that are out there right now.

It also highlights just how caring our employees are and their genuine desire to give something back to the communities around them. I think that’s one of the most special things about our Foundation. Its growth has been driven by more people hearing about the work we do, with colleagues sharing their experiences and encouraging others to get involved. At the same time, the need for support within our communities has continued to grow. It’s incredibly encouraging to see our employees stepping up, embracing that responsibility and making a real difference through their involvement.

Over the years you’ve worked with many incredible charities and community organisations. Is there a moment or story that particularly touched you and reminded you why the Foundation exists?

There’s an organisation called Brainwave and we have supported them at least twice because an organisation can reapply after three years. So, we’re now seeing some coming back for a third time if they came to us in the very beginning and that’s something that we like, because we want to build that relationship and have that strong bond with those organisations and our employees.

Brainwave is a wonderful charity that supports children with neurodiverse and neurological conditions, whether these are caused at birth or are genetic. Seeing the parents of those children and hearing about the lack of support they received before finding Brainwave is quite something, and it’s not a position anyone would want to be in. Knowing they’ve found an organisation that truly supports them, and that we’re able to support that organisation in turn, gives you confidence that the money is going to a genuinely worthwhile cause where it is both needed and deserved.

What role do our colleagues play in the success of the Foundation and why is employee involvement so important to its mission?

Our colleagues remain engaged with the organisation for 12 months after the grant has been awarded. The idea is that they bring their skills and experience to support the organisation, because sometimes funding isn’t the only thing that’s needed. They may need advice, practical support, specialist knowledge or even hands-on help, and our employees can provide that additional support.

They don’t have to be involved in the specific project that received funding; it’s about supporting the organisation more broadly. It also doesn’t require a huge time commitment. It’s simply about giving what time allows, with the support of their supervisor. Even getting involved once a quarter can make a real difference to a charity or not-for-profit organisation.

Ultimately, we hope colleagues gain a sense of achievement from the experience and feel they’ve been able to give something meaningful back to their community.

As we celebrate this milestone, what are your hopes and ambitions for the Foundation over the next 10 years?

I hope the Foundation continues to grow and evolve, adapting to the changing needs of our communities. I’ve been involved with it for the past 10 years and, if all goes to plan, I hope I’ll be retired in another 10, so I may not be around in the same capacity. But I do want to see it continue to thrive.

My hope is that the Foundation becomes so integral to who we are that we simply couldn’t imagine doing without it. I know it’s already an important part of the VINCI Group, but I’d love to see it become even more deeply embedded in our culture and in the way we think about supporting our communities.

When people think about community engagement and community projects, I’d like the VINCI UK Foundation to be the first thing that comes to mind. Most of all, I want us to leave a lasting impact and create a legacy wherever we go, so that in 10 years’ time we can look back and say, “We helped make that happen, and it’s still making a difference today.“

Finally, what has the Foundation taught you personally over the last 10 years, and how has being part of its journey shaped your perspective on giving back and supporting communities?

Having done this for 10 years, it’s taught me a lot about what’s needed in our communities because, before getting involved with the Foundation, I wasn’t really aware of the scale of that need. Now it’s very apparent to me that we need to do more to support the communities around us.

It’s also changed the way I work. I try to involve as many not-for-profit and community organisations as possible in what we do as a business because I think the two can be closely connected. Whether it’s commissioning a video, ordering catering or sourcing other services, I always think about what community projects and organisations are out there that are helping people develop skills, gain experience and build career paths.

For me, the journey has been about not only looking after the Foundation and the projects we support, but also finding ways to extend that thinking across the wider business. It’s about looking at things from different angles and asking how we can create opportunities for people who may need a helping hand or who don’t have the right connections. Whether that’s through employment, training or partnerships, it’s about building those connections and opening doors.

That’s probably the biggest thing the Foundation has taught me, the importance of looking beyond the immediate need and finding ways to create lasting opportunities for people and communities.