Overview
James Rowntree joined Marlborough Highways in October 2024 as Business Improvement Manager – a newly created role introduced to further strengthen the way we operate as a business.
With 12 years’ leadership experience in The British Army and a successful post-military career in government consultancy under his belt, James is helping us build a more consistent and connected organisation – one that’s ready for the future.
Background
Originally growing up around Chelmsford, James spent more than a decade in the armed forces, working across Europe, America and Africa as well as on operations in Afghanistan. For the bulk of his time in the Army, he served as a Department Manager and oversaw the operation of large teams – some consisting of more than 200 people. After this, James progressed on as a Change Manager, helping The British Army adapt to the evolving needs of the organisation.
After leaving the military, James built a career as a management consultant, working on various projects for the British Government. This combination of hands-on leadership and change management experience has equipped James with the empathy and insight needed to deliver meaningful improvements across Marlborough.
Driving business forward
In his role, James works across multiple departments to identify ways we can work more effectively. This work is incredibly varied, and can involve anything from improving safety processes on-site and streamlining systems for operational staff, to embedding smart ideas at every level and more.
While the purpose of his work can vary, the approach he uses to achieve these outcomes always centres around people. This directive is central to Marlborough’s Safe Delivery model — which recognises that safety, quality, time and budget are all connected, and must be considered together for the best outcomes.
James’s efforts are a key part of Marlborough’s journey as a growing business. Through meaningful investment in both people and process, we demonstrate that we’re a business fit for today — and ready for tomorrow.
Fact file
Marlborough Highways
- Job title: Business Improvement Manager
- Start date: October 2024
- Department: Quality & Business Improvement
- Location: Head Office, Chelmsford
- Reports to: Operations Director
Personal details
- From: Essex
- Interests: Reading, sailing, cooking and exercise
Military background
- Previously served: Change Manager, Army Headquarters
- Previously served: Infantry company commander and other leadership roles, British Army
Skills
- Strategic planning
- Stakeholder management
- Business transformation
- Operational excellence
- Business process improvement
- Change impact analysis
Quote
“As part of my work, I find it incredibly rewarding to collaborate with teams on a clear vision for change, breaking it down into manageable steps, and then working with operatives to bring it to life – ensuring it’s done with our people, not to our people. Together with my team, we’re helping build a strong foundation for the future of the business.”
James Rowntree
Business Improvement Manager
Marlborough Highways
Supported by Marlborough
Marlborough has a proud history of supporting Armed Forces personnel. In 2022, we signed the Armed Forces Covenant, pledging to treat all those who serve — and their families — with fairness and respect. Since then, we have continued to strengthen that commitment, achieving Silver in 2023 and Gold in August 2024.
For James, who spent over a decade in The British Army, this commitment made transitioning into the business easier. James was able to find common ground with teams in the office and on site, allowing him to hit the ground running early on. Supported by his manager, Operations Director Nick Reading – an adult volunteer leader in the Army Cadets himself – James described the transition “like pushing on an open door”.
Marlborough recognise the value that ex-forces personnel can bring, and work hard to create opportunities for active and former military personnel where they can thrive.
Social value
Alongside his core responsibilities as Business Improvement Manager, James has become an active part of Marlborough’s social value programme during his tenure, helping give back to the communities the business represents. Seeing the immense positive impact of these efforts has deepened his appreciation for social value, and encouraged James to take a more proactive stance to these opportunities.
“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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