She joined Kirby in 2023 and, in her role as Information Manager, is responsible for creating consistency and standardisation in how construction information is produced, managed and controlled across the company.

Pinar’s role is key to ensuring that project teams have a single, reliable and structured source of information to work from. By managing our common data environment and aligning how information is created and controlled, teams have consistent and timely access to the correct information – with the appropriate permission levels – regardless of their location or discipline.

“Standardised information not only improves day-to-day collaboration, but it also increases the long-term value of our data. When information is produced in a consistent way, it can be analysed more effectively, turning project experience into insight that can be shared across the business and applied on future projects,” she explains.

Journey to Kirby

Pinar initially studied to be an architect and practised for a number of years in her home country of Turkey. Seeing the rapid technical advancements in the sector, she took the decision to take a year out and complete a master’s degree in Global BIM Management in Barcelona, Spain, in 2019. It was after graduation that she moved into the engineering and construction sector, working as a BIM Manager in Istanbul on a large data centre project.

Moving to Ireland and working for Kirby, she’s now supporting teams across the world to maintain our lead in information management, while also spearheading the adoption of new technology, creating structured data systems, and rolling out advancements after testing and validation.

“We recently advanced our digital delivery capabilities by introducing custom commissioning tools,” she explains.

Co-developed by Pinar and our technology solutions provider Symetri, the tools work with Autodesk Construction Cloud (ACC) to streamline asset workflows by automating checklist generation, enabling one-click test pack creation and providing real-time progress reporting to project management teams.

“By removing manual data handling, the tools have made our processes significantly more efficient, as well as supporting consistent, audit-ready handovers. We’re now moving toward the next automation phase, where engineering schedule data will automatically populate checklist fields, further enhancing accuracy and efficiency,” she explains.

Data management: Leading, training and maintaining

“Everything we do in this space is tested, measured and rolled out in a controlled way,” says Pinar, who works closely with Document Controllers and site teams. “New processes and technology launches often fail without a dedicated training plan and a consistent drumbeat of guidance and support.”

We ask Pinar what sets Kirby apart in this space. “Investment,” she says. “Our leadership has been preparing for this point for a number of years and has invested consistently in the right technologies to support quality, safety, delivery and value for our clients.

“Here, digitalisation initiatives – with information management as a core component – are viewed as value drivers rather than compliance requirements. That mindset is important, and it’s what sets us apart.

“Every single one of our projects is delivered in line with international industry standards, often exceeding baseline requirements to provide long-term benefits for both our clients and our people. As part of this continuous improvement, emerging technologies also play an important role in how we support delivery across our projects.”

Driving the industry forward

Pinar is not sitting still, and with a thirst for learning – she has two master’s degrees – she’s committed to staying ahead of industry innovations. “I have always been driven by knowledge, and in this industry in particular you have to stay ahead and maintain your drive to improve. Robotics, for example, is a particularly interesting area of advancement, especially where millimetre‑critical environments demand absolute precision. These technologies, when applied in the right way, directly support our goals around safety, quality and predictable delivery.”

“An increased use of off-site manufacturing is another area we are seeing significant gains for our clients, with many aspects of our work already analysed for efficiencies. Off-site manufacturing is not only safer, but can improve quality, sustainability and programme certainty. We will always work with clients to evaluate the benefits across all projects at pre-construction stage. Often people are surprised by the capabilities that already exist in this space,” she ends.

To find out more about our digital construction capabilities, go to www.kirbygroup.com.

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At 23 years old, Kevin’s last year at St Flannan’s College in Ennis was disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. He was awarded his predicted grades in his Leaving Cert and spent 12 months working with his father in the family refrigeration business before applying for apprenticeships. 

It was during this time that he discovered his passion and future career in electrical engineering.  

“I knew I wanted to do a trade – I had been helping my dad since I was 12. I always preferred the practical subjects in school; I wanted to be up and about, and getting on with things,” says Kevin, who lives in Ballyea, County Clare. “My time working with my dad gave me the chance to explore different trades, and I enjoyed the electrical side the most.” 

Award-Winning Apprentice 

Graduating from his electrical apprenticeship last October, Kevin had been nominated by his tutors at Technical University Shannon (TUS) for a Generation Apprentice Award.  

With 330 nominations received across 78 apprenticeship programmes in Ireland, Kevin took home the gong in the electrical category at the graduation ceremony, alongside 12 apprentices in other categories.  

Coordinated by the National Apprenticeship Office, the awards are now in their fourth year and showcase exceptional talent and skills from across Ireland. They spotlight the vital economic and social contribution of the 30,000 apprentices currently training in Ireland.  

Patrick Ahern, Section Head – Electrical Trade, Department of Electrical & Electronic Engineering, at Technological University of the Shannon (TUS), nominated Kevin. He said: “The decision to nominate Kevin as the TUS candidate for this esteemed award was an easy one. His deep understanding of the industry, his enthusiasm for leading projects, and his forward-thinking approach to installations all reflect the high-quality training he received from both the skilled electricians and his peers within Kirby Group Engineering. From the very first day in the workshop, Kevin’s work was exemplary, and any feedback or suggestions I provided were consistently embraced and seamlessly integrated into his evolving style with each subsequent project.” 

“Kevin’s final practical exam was completed to an exceptionally high standard, and it has since become a benchmark in our practical teaching. We now use Kevin’s project as an educational tool to set the standard for future apprentices, demonstrating the level of craftsmanship we aspire to. Kevin’s future is undoubtedly bright, and I am truly honoured to have played a small part in his journey,” continues Patrick.  

 Kirby Electrical Engineering Apprenticeship  

Kevin completed his entire apprenticeship at Boston Scientific in Galway, Ireland. The project saw us complete a 40,000 sq ft cleanroom at the medical facility, and it now supports the manufacture of life-saving products. Mentored by Project Managers Leroy Walker and Damien Glynn, he particularly enjoyed terminating and testing data cables. 

“There is something satisfying about working on a project like this. I gained experience in all parts of electrical engineering, working with the team on site. Terminating and testing data cables and installing containment were my favourite aspects of the work. When the containment is up and looks the part, you can take real pride in it,” Kevin explains. 

As part of Kevin’s apprenticeship, he spent time both on site and in the classroom. He says, “Your classroom learning was backed up by real world experience on site. It was completely different to school. You had both the academic and practical experience, and that worked well for me as a learner.”

Kirby apprenticeships are made up of seven phases. Phases 1,3,5, and 7 are on-site training, while phases 2,4, and 6 are classroom-based. 

“I’d recommend people look into apprenticeships, they give you the best of both worlds, especially if you are a hands-on, visual learner like me. You get the chance to earn and learn,” he explains.  

Apprenticeships are core part of Kirby’s culture. Four of our board members came through the apprenticeship process, and we invest heavily in the development of talent through the programme.  

A dedicated training facility at our Portlaoise off-site manufacturing base opened in 2024 and helps apprentices keep pace with new methods and technologies. 

Day in the Life of a Site Supervisor 

In December last year Kevin was promoted to Site Supervisor and now looks after a small team on a pharmaceutical project in Galway.  

“I look after the small works package on site, so am responsible for setting the team off in the morning, looking after the materials and package of works,” he explains.  

Outside of work, Kevin has a keen interest in cars, often attending car rallies and shows. He’s also a hurler and plays for Ballyea Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) club.  

As he throws himself into the next step of his career, he is keen to support apprenticeships as a career choice.  

Apply now for our Apprenticeship programme – https://careers.kirbygroup.com/apprentices/  

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Kirby Group Engineering has announced the recipients of its third-level bursary awards for this year, as part of the company’s ongoing drive to promote diversity and inclusion in the engineering sector. Six female students have been selected this year, as the programme goes from strength to strength.

Kirby is a family-founded firm based in Limerick and has operations across Ireland, the UK, mainland Europe, the Nordics, and South Africa. It employs over 1,900 people and provides full mechanical and electrical contracting services as well as specialist high-voltage (HV) and medium-voltage (MV) design and construction services. Its clients include a number of global IT leaders and range across different sectors including Data Centres, Life Sciences, Industrial, and Power and Renewables.

Now in its fourth year, Kirby’s bursary programme is open to women studying Electrical, Mechanical, or Building Services Engineering at third level institutions across Ireland and South Africa. Having come through a rigorous selection process conducted by Kirby’s Talent Acquisition team, the six recipients will receive:

• A full scholarship to cover the coming academic year
• Paid professional placements on Kirby’s local and international projects
• Mentorship from senior engineers
• Opportunities to gain highly valuable industry insights

This year’s winning students are Aisling Costelloe from Ennis, Co Clare; Meadhbh Hurley from Limerick; Caoimhe Flynn from Kilcolgan, Co Galway; Emilia Hildebrandt from Tipperary; Sarah Coyle from Belmullet, Co Mayo; and Emma Prestage from Cape Town, South Africa.

Meadhbh Hurley is a student at University of Galway. She says she’s delighted to have been selected: “Kirby’s recognition of me as a deserving candidate for this bursary has reinforced my belief in myself as a developing electrical engineer and will bolster my confidence through my future professional development.”

Caoimhe Flynn, who is also studying at University of Galway has been speaking about her hopes for the bursary: “I will gain significant experience through work placements and mentorship which will greatly aid my studies while allowing me to expand my networks and meet other like-minded women in the field of engineering.”

Emma Prestage, who is from Cape Town and a student at Stellenbosch University says an opportunity like this bursary can be a very important career boost: “For a student, the hardest part is often getting the “first foothold” of real experience. Knowing that Kirby is investing in my development, and that there will be chances to learn on real projects and from experienced engineers, is incredibly valuable.”

Sarah Coyle is studying at Atlantic Technological University (ATU) Galway. She says diversity in the industry is crucial: “It is important to me that women are visible in the engineering industry, as their presence inspires the next generation, including myself, to pursue careers in engineering with confidence and ambition”

Emilia Hildebrandt is a student at University of Limerick. She expects that having the bursary’s support will help her spread the word that engineering is for everyone: “It would also allow me to dedicate more time to projects and events to share that knowledge and to encourage fellow students and younger students in pursuing engineering. I have always been someone who loves to get involved, and I’m very thankful that this bursary gives me the opportunity to be able to now spend more time giving back to my community in the year ahead.”

Aisling Costelloe, another Atlantic Technological University (ATU) Galway student says she sees potential for working with Kirby well into the future: “I hope to join a graduate programme with Kirby, which I believe would open the door to incredible opportunities. With Kirby’s global presence and its strong foundation in Ireland, I would have the chance to work on engineering projects around the world, contributing to solutions that improve the world we live in.”

Electrical Engineering Manager at Kirby, Amy Lane is among the leaders supporting the students. She says the scheme has become a valued part of Kirby’s structure:

“I’m thrilled to say we are entering the fourth year of our third-level bursary programme. It has been a pleasure to meet and work with many highly talented and motivated students and this year’s intake is no different. Programmes like this one are vital to the future of engineering, one in which diversity is the norm and Kirby will continue to champion that cause, as a people-first organisation.”

Kirby’s Chief Operations Officer, John Grogan, believes the bursary programme is an extremely worthwhile investment:

“Initiatives such as this play an important role in demonstrating the benefits of careers in engineering and construction and more importantly, ensuring those messages reach as wide an audience as possible. The bursary programme is a symbol of Kirby’s commitment to promoting diversity and above all, our identity as a people first organisation”.

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Joining us from the Technical University Shannon (TUS), Darren now plays a key role in our procurement team, working with colleagues across the company to order materials and services for projects in Ireland. 

“Day to day, I manage purchases – buying materials for locally based jobs and small works projects. It’s a real mix-and-match role, and every day is different,” says Darren, who studied a four-year Business with Computing bachelor’s degree.  

When asked what attracted him to apply for the graduate programme at Kirby, he said: “I knew people who had done placements with Kirby, and they had nothing but good things to say. There’s a really great culture and good craic in the Limerick office, everyone is invested in making sure the teams succeed.  

“Kirby lives and works by its core values and stands by them. There’s a real team spirit here. It’s a great environment to work in.” 

Since joining, he’s gained a strong following across the company, with teammates cheering him on in his sporting endeavours. Barry Murphy, Senior Kirby HR Business Partner and Limerick hurler, attended a wheelchair hurling session in Athenry back in December and had the chance to play a game with Darren.  

Barry said: “It was a lot harder than I expected – the level of coordination, strength and control needed is unbelievable. The experience really heightened my respect for the people playing wheelchair hurling. Their skill and resilience are something to admire.” 

In October, Darren was asked to represent his country at the European Wheelchair Floorball Tournament, held in The Netherlands. “Our Wheelchair Hurling Camogie players exemplify the spirit of determination, teamwork, and pride in representing Ireland,” said GAA President, Jarlath Burns, of the tournament.

It was Darren’s parents who first encouraged his sporting career. Diagnosed with cerebral palsy at the age of two, he took up wheelchair hurling in 2011 and hasn’t looked back.

The 24-year-old is now applying his skills in teamwork and leadership to his career, with his first six months focusing on training on Kirby’s systems, procedures and ways of working, and its projects.

Darren was one of two to join Kirby from his course at TUS last year, with our programme offering graduates the chance to work on projects, ranging from data centres to life sciences and renewable energy, both in Ireland and across Europe, while implementing cutting-edge technological advancements.

The programme offers the opportunity to kick-start careers in engineering and gain exciting international experience with excellent opportunities for career development and progression.

“I have found so many similarities with playing sport. At Kirby we wear one jersey, we are a team. It’s an environment where you can flourish, and I hope to do so for many years to come,” Darren finishes.

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Her story is like many supported through the show. Lynn, the wife of Johnny Aylward and full-time carer to her son, applied to the show to secure an accessible, adapted home after Johnny’s motor neurone disease diagnosis. It’s a project close to Stephen’s heart.

“Johnny was incredible. He was a pleasure to be around, and so incredibly grateful for everything we did. We became very close friends with him and his whole family,” says Stephen.

Johnny sadly passed away in 2023.

DIY SOS: The Big Build Ireland airs on Raidió Teilifís Éireann (RTÉ), Ireland’s national public broadcaster for radio, TV, and online content. Headed by Baz Ashmawy and his team, the show renovates the homes of deserving families, changing their lives forever. With only nine days to transform each home, the projects depend on the generosity of volunteers and firms like Kirby.

Stephen remains close to many of the families supported through the show, with some returning to help on subsequent builds; making coffee, painting, and giving back to the programme that has transformed lives across Ireland.

“The producers are choosing the families for next year. It’s a job I couldn’t do. I couldn’t bear to let people down if they aren’t picked,” he adds.

For Stephen, this is his fifth year supporting the show in his role with Kirby. He estimates he’s worked on more than 20 projects, with the support of volunteers, the Kirby team, the supply chain, and local suppliers.

“The volunteers amaze me,” he says. “They can be there from eight in the morning to well into the early hours and just keep going. Without them we simply couldn’t get the jobs done.”

“You meet the best, most kind-hearted people,” he adds.

Stephen wasn’t long into his journey with Kirby when the opportunity to get involved presented itself. Now he balances his time between the show and his role as Site Manager across projects in the West of Ireland, working from his home in Glinsk, County Galway.

“I am proud to be part of a company that does so much good.”

Kirby supports DIY SOS projects with the electrical works package, which can include anything from rewiring a home to installing complex home automation technology. The team has nine days to complete each project, but Stephen always returns in the weeks and months afterward to make sure everything is working as it should.

“Seeing the families again after the big reveal is one of the most rewarding parts of my role,” he explains. “Simple things become easier; things that we take for granted, like showering or getting in and out of bed. Before the show, simple tasks like these could take hours. DIY SOS transforms their lives and makes things that little bit easier in lives full of struggle.”

Earlier this year, another call came to Stephen. Through Kirby’s long-standing connection with the GAA, we heard about Joe Slattery, a young athlete from Co. Clare who sustained a life-changing injury while training at an U16 GAA session. Joe now requires lifelong care.

Stephen took up that call and is now coordinating and project managing the adaptation of Joe’s home in Corofin.

“Kirby, together with the wider community and our supply chain partners, is committed to ensuring Joe’s home meets his care needs so that funds raised can go directly toward his ongoing support,” says Stephen, who leads the project with support from our Executive Director, Mark Flanagan, and Group Operations Director, Mikey Ryan.

“We are currently ahead of schedule with this project. We want to hand the home back to the family before Joe’s 18th birthday in April.”

With home automation and voice activation, the latest technology will give Joe the ability to access the whole house with ease. ‘Joe’s area’ providing his own space – giving him independence.

Strength in the face of adversity is something that Stephen sees on every project. Julian Benson’s ‘Room to Improve’ special on RTÉ similarly called on our team to support the creation of Tranquility House, a “home away from home” for Irish cystic fibrosis (CF) patients and families needing treatment in Dublin. Kirby answered and led the electrical fit-out that transformed the Georgian House.

Stephen is not someone who sits still. He’s also coaching Kirby’s Inter-Firm GAA football team. “We have the semi-final after Christmas, with many of the young lads playing for us this year. We won the Junior All-Ireland last year, so there’s a lot of pressure to bring the cup home,” he laughs.

Playing in the team is Stephen’s son, who joined Kirby as an apprentice last year. “Kirby does so much good. A lot of it people never hear about. Kirby is like that; hardworking and dedicated, while giving back to the community in droves, whether that’s through training the next generation or through projects like DIY SOS. The team culture is like no other,” he concludes.

To watch the DIY SOS: The Big Build Ireland back, tune in to the RTÉ Player to watch the latest episodes.

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With projects across Ireland and the UK, she supports up to 20 sites alongside a growing team of skilled professionals, across renewable energy and utility grid connection projects, including substation design and build, battery energy storage systems (BESS) and solar and wind.  

Chartered as both a Civil Engineer and Quality Professional, Patricia joined us in our Glasgow office in 2024 to take on the pivotal role. Prior to Kirby, she worked in transport infrastructure, supporting the delivery of high-profile road and rail projects, including High Speed Two (HS2) in the UK.  

Her quality journey began in Portugal, with a Civil Engineering undergraduate degree at ISEL – Instituto Superior De Engenharia De Lisboa, and later a Master’s. It’s here that she put her passion for sustainability into action, with her master’s dissertation focusing on the integration of plastic waste in bitumen products. A graduate placement followed, before a move to the UK in 2015.  

When asked what drew her to work for us, she says, “Quality is one of Kirby’s core values and is a key focus for all departments. That focus, and the ability to work on leading projects at the heart of decarbonisation of our energy networks, attracted me to the role.” 

“It’s also a lot neater,” she laughs. “Groundworks is messy work. There’s something very regimented and ordered about the work I do now. Seeing cabling neatly secured in rows is very satisfying.” 

World Quality Week: Think Differently 

Colleagues across Kirby took part in activities to mark World Quality Week in November. The theme – ‘Quality: Think Differently’, saw our teams embrace innovation and technology, focus on knowledge sharing and lessons learned, stand down for quality, and celebrate individual wins.  

“Quality is a mindset that shapes how we lead, build stakeholder trust, and improve organisational performance. By thinking differently about quality, exploring how it can spark ideas, reduce risk, and unite us we can develop the resilience and agility that keep us moving forwards with purpose,” says Ruairí Ryan, Group Operations Director at Kirby.

Quality: Recognising Excellence  

As part of the celebrations, Patricia travelled to our Aberarder project for SSER to present a World Quality Week Award to our subcontractor Global Infrastructure, recognising its team for an outstanding commitment to quality and transparency.  

Kirby is delivering the wind turbine control centre building as part of the wider £100m project, connecting the 12 new windfarms to the grid. Once complete, Aberarder will be capable of generating enough green energy to power almost 50,000 homes annually and offset over 1.5 million tonnes of carbon dioxide over its expected 35-year lifetime. The project will contribute to Scotland and the UK achieving further energy security and meeting net zero carbon emission targets.

“Recognising and showcasing what good looks like is incredibly important,” says Patricia.  

Quality at the Core of Kirby 

“When something is spotted that could affect quality at Kirby, it is a priority to rectify it and share the learnings across the business.  

“This dedication to quality makes it a great place to work. Delivering projects like we do, being able to spot and rectify a problem means that our staff understand that concerns are acted upon and swiftly resolved. There is nothing worse than working on something when the same issue in process or delivery is repeated again and again, despite everyone knowing that it is an issue. It’s not like that at Kirby. If something is raised, it’s sorted,” says Patricia.  

Quality: Day in the Life 

We ask Patricia what a typical day looks like. She laughs, “Every day is different. When I’m not visiting sites, I focus on reviewing inspection and test plans, checking client comments, and identifying root causes of any issues. I work closely with our supply chain partners to ensure they understand documentation requirements and meet compliance standards. I also meet with clients to review the progress and quality of our work. It’s a busy role, but is incredibly rewarding,” she adds.  

Mentoring the Next Generation  

Patricia was the first to put her hand up to mentor our Graduate Quality Control Engineer, who joined us this year. A newly created role, Patricia’s experience and knowledge will be key to guiding their development as they start their professional career.  

Sharing best practice and advocating for the industry is something Patricia is passionate about. A member of the Chartered Quality Institute (CQI) in the UK, her involvement sees her collaborate with quality professionals across different industries and connect with people who have a common ambition – to inspire others to evolve with quality at the heart of their operations.  

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As our teams go “Back to Basics” as part of the Construction Industry Federation’s (CIF) safety campaign this October, we explore the career of Katie O’Carroll, Environment, Health, and Safety (EHS) Advisor. 

As a graduate, Katie has benefited from Kirby’s industry-leading training and development programmes and is now coaching others through our Zero Harm safety culture.  

She shares her journey so far, her quest to inspire more young women to pursue careers in EHS, and the impact that excellence in safety can have from the first hour on site.  

Women in Construction and Engineering  

Katie has been with Kirby for just over a year. She tells us, “If you had told me I would be working on an engineering site five years ago, I wouldn’t have believed you.”  

“I am a girly girl,” she says. Like Katelyn Cummins, the 2025 crowned Rose of Tralee and an Apprentice Electrician, Katie is on a mission to show young women that there are roles for everyone in engineering. More importantly, she believes a career in safety can be both hugely impactful and rewarding.  

After completing an Environmental Degree at the University of Limerick (UL), Katie worked with Alltech, installing fibre across rural areas of Ireland. She was familiar with Kirby, having grown up in Limerick, and had often seen our vans around the city.  

Looking for career growth, she applied for Kirby’s graduate programme and now works as a Graduate EHS Advisor on our Semiconductor Manufacturing Facility in Limerick. .  

She has benefited from our industry-leading training and development programmes and recently completed the NEBOSH certificate.   

“I think people were surprised by the move to a career in health and safety – but I saw how much opportunity there was. It was a good move for me,” she smiles.  

Katie highlights the support she received from other women at Kirby as she developed in her role. A culture that Kirby recently cemented with membership of Women in Construction Ireland (WICI), an organisation that empowers, supports, and connects women across the sector.  

Day in the Life  

“My day starts early with a whiteboard meeting. We plan our work and review our registers and Risk Assessment and Method Statements (RAMS) every week as part of Zero Harm Programme.  

“As part of our safety culture, we empower our people to lead in safety. I am here to coach, develop, and support. After our meetings, I walk the site to ensure our teams have everything they need to complete the day’s work,” says Katie.  

Zero Harm and Our Responsibility to the Next Generation  

“The first few hours on site can create a lifelong commitment to safety,” says Katie. 

According to the Health and Safety Executive (UK), “workers are as likely to have an accident in their first six months at work as during the whole of the rest of their working life.” 

As part of our Zero Harm programme, Kirby has identified eight leading indicators that form a strong foundation for enhancing safety. 

Katie highlights communication, SEORs (Safety Environmental Observation Reports), and BNC (Behavioural Notice Card) compliance as especially important for creating positive behaviours during those first critical six months.  

“Kirby has made a strong commitment to nurturing the next generation of EHS professionals.

“One standout example of this commitment is Katie O’Carroll, who joined Kirby just over a year ago. In the 13 months since, Katie has successfully completed the company’s graduate programme, demonstrating not only technical competence but also a proactive and thoughtful approach to safety leadership. Her progression within the business reflects both her dedication and the strength of Kirby’s mentorship and development framework.

Katie represents the future of EHS, bringing fresh perspective, energy, and a deep understanding of the foundational principles that underpin a safe and healthy work environment. Her journey is a testament to Kirby’s belief that investing in young professionals today builds a safer, more resilient industry tomorrow.”

Ryan Scott, Kirby Senior EHS Manager, ROI/UK

We asked Katie what she most enjoys about her role, she says, “Working with people. The interactions I have with clients, and contractors, and teams are what make the role. As part of our training, we are encouraged to develop our communications skills, understand people’s motivations, and learn how best to speak and work with them. Engagement is a huge part of what we do, and it’s hugely rewarding to see teams grow and develop through this approach.”  

To find out more about Zero Harm or our graduate programme, go to https://careers.kirbygroup.com/graduates/.  

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In this #PeopleFirst, we interview Luka Putrić, Senior EHS Advisor on our high-profile data centre project in London. He tells us what it means to lead in safety and explores the unique approach Kirby has developed to coach and empower its people.

Zero Harm: Leadership in Safety

“We are not asking and telling, we are supporting and training,” says Luka when we ask what sets Kirby’s approach to safety apart. “Kirby’s approach to continuously driving safety is different compared to others.

“We do it naturally. We support people to make sure they are not alone, making sure that safety becomes part of their daily habit.”

“My role is here to guide and support, not to shout and dictate,” he says.

Luka joined Kirby three years ago from the renewables sector. With a degree in Safety and Protection Engineering he’s been working in the specialism for 10 years.

He initially joined us in Milan, and his career has now brought him to London, where he is working on a Kirby’s next-generation data centre project as it moves into the commissioning stage.

Kirby’s Zero Harm programme takes a comprehensive approach to enhancing safety and performance, encompassing eight core leading indicators, including engagement, communication, skills and wills, and leadership.

These indicators serve as fundamental pillars in the pursuit of improved safety and operational excellence.

A Day in the Life of an EHS Advisor

Luka’s day typically starts with a 7am pre-start meeting. The team runs through the daily plan, updates the whiteboard with high-risk activities, and highlights any new changes on site.

Inductions follow. “Every single person working for Kirby will wear our PPE after their induction. We explain what that means and what we expect of them in terms of leading in safety,” he adds.

Luka will then walk the site: “Zero Harm is designed as a two-way programme, with listening built in as standard. It is designed to evolve naturally, rather than being imposed on our people, and they are integral to its integration, adoption, and evolution.”

“Spotter and working at height training have been particularly important for this site given the type of work we are carrying out,” says Luka, who supports the team, engineers, and subcontractors to design risk out of activities on site, as well as delivering training and completing risk assessments.

CIF Safety Campaign

We ask what the team in London will focus on as part of the CIF Safety Campaign. Luka explains “We will look at recurring tasks together, including risks and hazards.

“We are working on the mechanical aspect at the moment on site, so pressure testing and lifting operations with the crane and chain blocks are a key area of attention. There are various initiatives and sessions organised on that to make sure there is no complacency.”

“As part of the Construction Industry Federation’s (CIF) Back to Basics campaign, an initiative focused on reinforcing safety and health standards across the construction sector – Kirby Group Engineering continues to invest in cultivating the next generation of EHS professionals.

“One standout example of this commitment is Luka Putrić, a Senior EHS Advisor who has been with Kirby for over three years. Luka exemplifies the qualities of a well-rounded, forward-thinking safety leader. His work on complex projects in Milan and London has consistently demonstrated his ability to navigate high-pressure environments while upholding the highest standards of compliance and safety.

“Throughout the full lifecycle of each project, Luka has shown remarkable drive and ambition not only in advancing his own career within Kirby, but also in supporting the development of others. His mentorship of junior team members has helped foster a culture of accountability and continuous learning, ensuring that safety remains a shared responsibility across every site.”

Ryan Scott, Kirby Senior EHS Manager, ROI/UK

Coaching the Team on Site

“The strong collaboration and positive experience on site often lead subcontracted labour to want to return, and many have taken that experience to improve other projects. There’s also a strong focus on development within both the trade and specific roles, with clear opportunities to grow and progress within the wider group,” adds Luka.

Life in London

It’s not all work. Luka is keen to emphasise the team bonding opportunities, “We have set up a five-a-side soccer match once a week in Shepherds Bush with the client and subcontractors on site. It’s relaxed and we have good craic.

“There’s equality there on the pitch – just like on site – we are one team, cheering each other on.”

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