Team insight

To find out more about Alastair and Mark’s experience and roles within Primary Power, we spoke to them as part of our ‘Meet the team’ content series:     

Hi Mark and Alastair, thanks for your time and welcome to the team. It would be great to hear more about your experience?

Alastair – “I graduated from the University of Leeds in 2003 and after leaving, joined Freedom where I would spend the next 20+ years of my career. Beginning as a graduate, I grew to Principal Civil Engineer, where I was responsible for managing a team of civil engineers and CAD technicians and providing technical leadership, before joining Primary Power in October 2025.”

Mark – “I also previously worked with Freedom, starting out as a trainee engineer back in 2006. Initially, my role involved day release to continue my studies at Leeds Metropolitan University (now Leeds Becketts). After completing my degree, I progressed my career at Freedom, moving from Structural Engineer to Senior and finally Principal Structural Engineer, where I headed up the structural engineering team.

“That position involved overseeing all aspects of structural engineering on every project. During this period, I also undertook a master’s at Leeds University, graduating in 2012, and continued to work towards professional chartership, which I achieved in 2019.”

What drew you to your roles at Primary Power?

Mark – “Primary Power is a growing business, and I really liked Steve and Bruce’s attitude, having worked with Bruce before. The idea of helping the team to expand and grow the civil engineering team also appealed.”

Alastair – “Similar to Mark, I also liked the idea of building something and help to expand Primary Power’s civil engineering division. I’ve always enjoyed

working with other disciplines and making a positive difference, with a focus on delivering work consistently to a high standard, a shared ethos that I found Primary Power to have.”

What skills will you take from your experience to date into your new roles?

Alastair – “I’ve always enjoyed working in a multi-disciplinary environment, bringing different parts of the business together and helping teams stay aligned. I’ll be taking that collaborative approach with me, along with the leadership and guidance I’ve developed over the years. Strong communication and stakeholder management have been a big part of my work so far, and those skills will definitely carry through.”

Mark –“Civil engineering in the energy sector is still very niche. My experience allows me to contribute valuable industry knowledge and strengthen the team’s coordination with civil/structural engineers and related disciplines. Not many companies are doing what Primary Power are doing, and I anticipate that we will see tremendous growth in this sector in the next decade and beyond.”

What drew you to forging a career in civil engineering?

Alastair – “I originally wanted to be an architect. There wasn’t any work experience in this field available in my hometown, however there was the opportunity to gain work experience for a civil engineering consultancy, which I really enjoyed and pursued thereafter. Embarking on a career in civil engineering also involved fewer years at university, which also appealed!”

Mark – “I originally started out in electrical engineering but found it wasn’t the right fit for me. Freedom provided me with a fantastic opportunity to go into civil engineering and quite simply, I discovered that I really enjoyed it leading me to where I am today.”

What excites you about the world of civil engineering?

Alastair – “It is fantastic when you see things that you work on start to develop. It’s great to see the output of your work, from initial design conception through to completion. It is a good feeling to know that you have contributed to the development of a piece of critical infrastructure that is used in our daily lives.”

Mark – “Every project has different challenges that require different solutions. No two projects are ever the same, which keeps it engaging. In a climate crisis, there is a desire to use more sustainable options; it is good to know that

you are making a positive difference, environmentally, while building key infrastructure.”

What advice would you have for anyone looking to build a career in civil engineering?

Mark – “Stay curious. Take time to observe the structures and buildings you encounter every day – think about how they were designed, constructed, and the challenges the engineers had to overcome. Developing this habit helps you understand what’s possible, appreciate the challenges involved, and find inspiration that you can bring into your own work.

“Secondly, always be inquisitive and ask questions. Finally, spend plenty of time on site. See up close how designs are built and try to get a sense of the challenges and limitations during the construction phase and use this knowledge to inform future designs.”

Alastair – “To echo Mark, be curious and maintain this curiosity for as long as you can. Follow the parts of the industry that excite you – there’s a huge range of different disciplines and sectors, so aim to get involved in an area that inspires interest. Whatever project you’re working on, stay enthusiastic and open to learning.

“Listen to senior colleagues but don’t be afraid to question or challenge when it’s appropriate, as that’s how you grow. Finally, embrace collaboration. None of us delivers great work alone – we rely on each other to achieve the outcomes we’re all striving for.”

How would you describe the culture at Primary Power?

Alastair – “My early impressions are that Primary Power is a very supportive and forward-thinking organisation, with everyone helping each other out. This makes for a positive working environment.”

Mark – “The culture within Primary Power is very supportive, with everyone sharing a common goal and a clear ambition to deliver projects and to deliver them to a high standard.”

What are you most looking forward to in 2026?

Alastair – “I’m excited to get fully involved in 2026. We’ve got some great opportunities ahead, and I’m looking forward to working with the team to grow the business, develop the civil engineering division and support our clients on a range of exciting projects.”

Mark – “I’m really excited to bring Primary Power’s civil engineering offering to our clients and to get involved in designing major infrastructure projects. The civil engineering division here is an exciting prospect, and I’m looking forward to delivering robust, sustainable and practical designs that make a real difference for our clients.”

Thanks for your time, Alastair and Mark. If you are interested in any potential roles that we may have, feel free to get in touch with a member of our team.