Overview:
Lauren joined Marlborough Highways as a graduate in the summer of 2020 at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic. Initially promoting the organisation with the Marketing & Communications team, Lauren later transitioned to the Bids team, using her copywriting and creative content skills to help the business expand and diversify. A much-valued member of the organisation, Lauren is ambitious and hard-working, with a bright future in the Highways Industry. In 2024 she was promoted from teh role of Junior Bid Writer to Bid Writer.
Background
Lauren grew up in the small town of Ware in Hertfordshire, where she attended the local grammar school, going on to study A-Level Sociology, Philosophy and Ethics, Graphic Design and Photography. After completing her secondary education, Lauren moved to the North of England, acquiring a First-Class Honours degree from Sheffield Hallam University in International Events Management. Her course included a placement year as a Conference and Event Coordinator at Olympia London, which is one of the capital’s largest exhibitions centres. Supporting high-profile events like the International Horse Show and the Ideal Home Show, the work experience developed Lauren’s interests in project management, presenting and content creation.
Marlborough Highways career
Lauren joined Marlborough as a Marketing Assistant in June 2020 during the early stages of the Covid-19 pandemic. With the help of welcoming and friendly colleagues, she quickly made the role her own, supporting the Marketing & Communications Manager with a range of internal and external comms activity, including content creation, photography, social media strategy, and events management. Despite the challenges of starting a job during a national lockdown, Lauren soon became proficient in using Marlborough’s marketing tools and platforms, fast developing her industry knowledge, and improving her written and interpersonal skills.
When the opportunity for a Proposals Coordinator role came up, Lauren applied for the job seeing the natural synergy between marcomms and the writing of proposals. Lauren was able to utilise her analytical thinking and creative skills, assisting with the tender process, helping to secure new contracts, and growing existing business. Lauren is now a Bid Writer producing written tender content, compiling case study information, and conducting industry research. She also takes part in site visits, attends relevant conferences and exhibitions, and increasingly participates in new business strategy. The role requires good attention to detail, with Lauren involved in proof reading, the creation of presentations, and the development of a well maintained and up-to-date Bid Library.
Fact file
Marlborough Highways
- Job title Bid Writer
- Joined Marlborough June 2020
- Department Bids
- Location Head Office
- Reports to Bid Director
Personal details
- Hometown Ware, Hertfordshire
- Education BSc in International Events Management, Sheffield Hallam University
- Work experience Conference and Event Coordinator, Olympia London
- Interests Fitness, socialising and travelling
Skills and expertise
- Excellent project management skills
- Superb communicator
- Exceptional problem-solving capabilities
- Ability to produce creative content using advanced software
- Aptitude for copywriting with good attention to detail
Quote
“I was welcomed to Marlborough with open arms, everyone here is friendly and supportive, and I always get the help I need to thrive. There is a flexible, inclusive, and open culture, and I am pushed to succeed, but not once have I felt over-whelmed. I am motivated by the scope and variety of my work, that has me liaising with so many different stakeholders and colleagues across every part of the business. Being part of the Bids team allows me to make the most of my copywriting and creative content skills; it’s a rewarding role in which I am quickly developing my industry knowledge and project management expertise”.
Lauren Stapleton, Junior Bid Writer, Marlborough Highways
APMP
Wishing to further her qualifications, Marlborough supports Lauren with her Association for Proposal Management Professional (APMP) training, giving her the time she needs to study with industry specialists Shipley UK. Already a Foundation Level member of the respected international bid writing body, Lauren hopes to use the knowledge gained to progress her career at Marlborough, with the goal of one day becoming a Bid Director.
“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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