Our People

Kieran Ronnie is the Social Value & Community Manager at the University of Glasgow campus development project where Multiplex is the Programme Delivery Partner. It is the largest development in the University’s history and includes many individual projects which will increase the total campus size by one third.

How do you define social value?

For me, it’s about recognising that our influence as a company is not just in the concrete or steel, it’s about the people as well. We are shaping communities – the fabric of how places are, what they’re used for and how people interact with them. We have huge potential to impact the local economy through local businesses, jobs, training, education and community groups.

Social value is about maximising the potential of all of these opportunities, identifying them and making sure we capitalise on the social and economic returns they can create. It’s not just a building we hand over, it’s a legacy of employment, skills and development. We’re delivering a building that is rooted in the local community, because local people have worked on it, supplied it, and engaged with it.

Can you share an example?

During the COVID-19 pandemic we ran a Virtual Work Experience Programme and three of the people who attended were supported into work at the project within weeks. This has helped three young people go from unemployed and struggling to working in the construction industry by giving them access to opportunities that may not have been available to them before.

What makes Multiplex’s approach to social value special?
Our approach to social value is built on collaboration. We’ve been doing it for years and it’s built into the way we operate. It’s not just a bolt-on, it’s something the entire project team and supply chain are involved in. This united approach delivers results that would be impossible to achieve working in isolation or as an afterthought. With the project team, supply chain, client and other stakeholders all aligned and working together, we can maximise the positive impact of the project.

Any personal highlight for you looking back on the project?

I actually completed my undergraduate degree at the University of Glasgow, graduating back in 2012, so it’s been a real highlight for me to be able to come back here. The facilities that the students and academics will have here are world class and it’s great to be a part of delivering that.

Multiplex prides itself on providing its up and coming employees with lots of opportunities. They often stretch you but the support from your senior peers is always present.

The ever-changing scope of the construction industry is my favourite aspect. Each day there are new and exciting challenges which keep you engaged and ensure job satisfaction. The job demands clear and open communication which allows you to work well with colleagues and form great friendships.

Multiplex has a strong focus on team work. There is an expectation that the project team works together and supports one another to produce great results. A strong problem solving mentality is taken to all tasks as you endeavour to find the best solution in terms of time, safety and cost.

Ivony has worked with Multiplex since 2015 on commercial fit-out, mixed-use and residential sector projects. She started her career with Multiplex as a Project Coordinator and is now a Project Manager working on Junction House.

I've had the privilege of working on challenging and rewarding projects with Multiplex, but the amazing people and company culture are what really stand out. Everyone works together to get the job done and build each other up along the way.

Adrian has been at Multiplex for 11 years and has worked on many projects, currently based at the Western Sydney International Airport, with two young kids at home, he says the flexibility program has really helped him balance his work and home. He says,

With two young kids at home, having the flexibility to plan work around my home life is really important. Here at Western Sydney International Airport I've been able to balance the two while working on one of the biggest and most unique projects of my career.