Lanes achieves shortlist double in Thames Water safety awards

Lanes Group has been nominated for two Thames Water health and safety awards thanks to the inspirational efforts of two managers – including board director Andy Brierley who has led by example by transforming his own health.

Andy has been shortlisted in the Health and Wellbeing category in the Thames Water Health and Safety Excellence Awards. Regional Manager Casey May is a finalist in the Young Person of the year category.

They will find out if they have won at an evening awards ceremony on 29 June 2016.

Andy, Lanes Group Technical Director, and one of two directors heading Lanes’ wastewater network service (WNS) contract for Thames Water, has been a strong champion of health and wellbeing initiatives introduced by Lanes to support staff.

So much so that, in the last 18 months, he has led by example, transforming his own health by giving up smoking and losing three stones in weight. He has used his experience to motivate others to make a change for the better.

In nominating Andy, Lanes Framework Director for Thames Water, Conrad Ashby, said: “Andy has always been an inspirational figure. His enthusiasm is infectious. Now, he is using that energy and leadership to inspire staff to make healthier choices.”

Andy Brierley said: “I didn’t know I was being nominated, so being shortlisted was a complete surprise. I believe in supporting what’s both sensible and right to do for our staff, Thames Water and the public.

“In that regard, being passionate about health and safety is a no brainer. What I came to realise is that it’s also a personal journey, and our approach to health and safety has inspired me to improve my life. It’s great to think others have been encouraged to do the same.”

Casey May has been promoted five times since joining Lanes Group as a driver’s assistant. He became the company’s youngest ever regional manager, aged 25, in February 2015. He has always shown leadership in supporting a positive and proactive approach to health and safety excellence.

He said: “I’m very flattered to have been shortlisted for this award. It shows that age is no barrier to success at Lanes Group, and that if you have a strong team around you, in terms of committed field engineers and support staff, a lot of good things can be achieved.”

During 2014 and 2015 Lanes Group introduced a wellbeing kiosk to help staff assess their personal health and wellbeing. Andy Brierley was one of the first to have his health assessed. As a result, he joined a gym and changed his diet, improving his health greatly, losing four inches off his waistline, and seeing his blood pressure drop significantly.

Lanes Planning Operations Manager Joe Taylor is one of a number of colleagues inspired by Andy’s lead. He said: “I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and was smoking 40 cigarettes a day, and not doing any exercise.

“I could see Andy’s new lifestyle was making a big difference. He advised me to give up smoking, and try e-cigarettes, which I never thought I could do. But thanks to Andy I gave up smoking and bought a bike to start exercising. He’s been a big positive influence. If it wasn’t for Andy, my health would be a lot worse than it is now.”