Overview:
Olivia joined Marlborough Highways as a Trainee Supervisor at the end of 2021, supporting the team at the Rochford depot, near Southend-on-Sea. Helping to deliver a range of Traffic Management and Coastal Engineering projects, Olivia passionately carries out her operational and administrative duties, splitting her time between the office and supervising operatives in the field. A hugely popular member of staff, Olivia is loyal and committed, with a bright future in a traditionally male dominated industry. She was promoted to the position of Supervisor in 2024.
Background
Olivia grew up in Basildon, Essex attending the Billericay School, which is renowned as a leading academy and sixth form, particularly for mathematics and computing. With a love for the performing arts and the movie business, Olivia studied Film and Television at the University of the Arts London, which included a high-profile work experience role with Disney. She spent time on the set of the Angelina Jolie blockbuster, Maleficent: Mistress of Evil, assisting production teams and liaising with cast and other crew, while improving her communications and technical skills.
Despite her interest in the entertainment industry, Olivia felt her career would be better served in construction and engineering, with the sector offering more stability and a clearer path to progression. Before joining Marlborough, Olivia gained vital knowledge and expertise at her family’s property maintenance company, developing her understanding of building processes, and health and safety procedures.
Marlborough Highways career
Olivia began working for Marlborough in November 2021, following in the footsteps of her father Barry Leach, who is a long-serving foreman and much valued member of the organisation. Joining a growing number of women in frontline roles at the business, Olivia works across a range of Traffic Management and Coastal Engineering disciplines, with no two days ever the same. Also responsible for PPE distribution, stock management, ticketing, and a host of other QHSE duties, Olivia enjoys spending time in the office as well as being on site.
With a desire to further her career at Marlborough, Olivia is studying for a formal Street Works qualification, with the team giving her the time and support she needs to balance her work and academic commitments. Using her critical thinking and problem-solving skills, Olivia is provided the freedom to learn on the job, while shaping and developing her role in the process. She is an asset to the company and was promoted from the role of Trainee Supervisor to Supervisor in 2024. She has ambitions to become a Project Manager in charge of a whole department.
Fact file
Marlborough Highways
- Job title Supervisor
- Joined Marlborough November 2021
- Location Rochford Depot
- Reports to Project Manager
Personal details
- Hometown Basildon, Essex
- Education The Billericay School, University of the Arts London
- Work experience Camera Trainee, Property Maintenance
- Interests Film, Television, Theatre
Skills and expertise
- Excellent planning skills
- Critical thinking and problem-solving abilities
- Strong communicator
- Good understanding of QHSE practices
- Expertise in the use of relevant software
Quote
“Marlborough is a close-knit team that feels like one big family, all working towards the same goals. I am encouraged to push myself to get the job done but am always given the support I need to thrive, with helpful and friendly colleagues across every part of the business. Marlborough is the best place I have ever worked; I love being part of a team that genuinely cares about its people and the communities that it serves.”
Olivia Harrison, Trainee Supervisor, Marlborough Highways
“One of the things I value most is their very collaborative and transparent team culture. It makes a big difference to have a contractor that wants to work closely with us and is supportive and responsive. With Marlborough, I get a team who are attentive, work collaboratively and honestly with me and don’t lose focus on delivering first class communications and compliance.”
“From the design stage, Marlborough has been fundamental in delivering the Broad Lane Square improvements scheme. During the works, not only did the team manage to keep to the programme, but they went the extra mile to ensure attention to detail and came up with innovative solutions to address issues encountered on site. My thanks on behalf of Haringey goes out to Marlborough for their dedication to deliver.”
“Working alongside our Term Service Contractor Marlborough Highways, we successfully completed renovations to the Crowstone Footbridge. The designs were provided by Marlborough, and the work was unique. The scheme was completed to budget and ahead of its programme duration.”
“I would like to thank you and your team for your efforts, the Marlborough crews were professional, courteous, and hard working all day and ensured the event went without a hitch. You and the team were a credit to the company, demonstrating commitment and support to the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham.”
“I just wanted to say what a pleasure it has been to work with Marlborough Highways over the last six months. The quality of work is superb, and there has been some excellent collaboration between Milestone and Marlborough to complete, what at times, has been quite a challenging scheme. I hope to work with Marlborough on another project in the near future.”
“Marlborough worked with us in constructing a 1.3km cycle track. There were a number of technical difficulties to overcome, and their gifted foreman worked to propose some innovative solutions to the challenges we faced. The result is a facility that the locals are proud of, providing walkers and cyclists with alternative access to the hospital and nearby school. The scheme was a lot of hard work, but well worth it.”
“Marlborough attracts people who take care and have pride in their work. Several gangs of Operatives worked tirelessly for six months to reconstruct drainage networks, lay more than 3km of high quality bespoke granite kerbs and granite channels blocks to ensure positive drainage. The technical compliance, attention to detail and level of quality finish along the entire carriageway was exceptional”.
“We saw huge benefits in appointing Marlborough as our full service contractor and we’re impressed – they’ve delivered consistent high quality service and superior quality control across every project. Marlborough, provide us with a ‘one-stop’ shop solution – we get the same quality of service and better control across all aspects of the project.”
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