delivering talent solutions for a global leader in infrastructure.
Randstad’s infrastructure specialists are supporting Balfour Beatty with critical white-collar talent, helping to keep the UK’s most complex projects on track.
background.
Balfour Beatty is one of the UK’s largest and most respected infrastructure contractors, employing over 26,000 people worldwide. As a business, they take pride in creating and maintaining the nation’s most critical infrastructure, with a strong focus on developing internal talent. But even the most experienced contractors require trusted partners when workforce demands fluctuate on major projects.
Since early 2023, Randstad has supported Balfour Beatty on the M25 Junction 10/A3 Wisley Interchange improvement scheme — a landmark project aiming to improve safety and reduce congestion at one of the busiest junctions on the UK road network. Randstad was brought in as part of an existing Tier 1 vendor partnership, and due to our consistent delivery and strong performance, we quickly became Balfour Beatty’s primary supplier of white-collar freelance labour on this scheme.
The collaboration is a testament to the trust we’ve built through our track record across complex London infrastructure projects. Our lead consultant — a specialist with over a decade of experience in the sector — has played a key role in placing a range of professionals including sub agents, site engineers, section engineers and ecologists.
the challenge.
Delivering a project of this scale and complexity presents significant workforce planning challenges. With defined project stages and shifting technical demands, Balfour Beatty requires a highly flexible and skilled workforce — one that internal recruitment teams, focused on permanent hiring, are not set up to deliver at pace.
The M25 J10/A3 project demands specialist expertise across multiple disciplines, often at short notice and for finite periods. In-house resource planning cannot easily flex to these peaks and troughs. That’s where Randstad comes in.
Balfour Beatty turned to us not just for our history of success with similar Tier 1 contractors, but because of the unique access we offer to an expansive, well-qualified talent pool. Our specialist consultants are deeply embedded in the infrastructure market, enabling us to surface hard-to-find subject matter experts that aren’t available through typical sourcing methods.
the solution.
Randstad's proactive and personalised approach ensured a consistent supply of skilled, compliant professionals, strategically delivered to meet the evolving demands of the infrastructure project.
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predictive intelligence
With a strong understanding of the infrastructure project lifecycle, we began building a pipeline of skilled talent in key geographic areas well in advance of demand. Our market intelligence enabled us to predict hiring needs for each stage of the scheme and identify the talent required — allowing us to deliver fast, precise support when it mattered most.
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a global, specialised talent pool
We also leveraged our track record of supporting similar major schemes to retain trusted professionals — many of whom have worked with Randstad on previous projects. These are highly skilled, fully compliant candidates, referenced and proven in comparable environments. We also expanded the talent pool internationally, sourcing professionals from Australia and New Zealand whose experience aligned perfectly with the demands of the project.
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proactive delivery model
What sets us apart is not just who we deliver, but how we deliver. Every new starter is met face to face, ensuring a strong relationship from day one. We go the extra mile with site presence, regular check-ins and enhanced aftercare. Compliance is rigorous and proactive — including TrustID verification and sponsorship of Highways Passports and safety-critical medicals, in partnership with the Randstad Training team.
