Member Article

Contracts manager Brian to retire after long career with Jones Bros

The longest serving employee of a leading civil engineering company has retired after 45 years in the industry.

Brian Roberts, highways contracts manager at Jones Bros Civil Engineering UK, steps down having worked on some of the firm’s largest projects.

Brian started as a plant fitter at the company in 1970 when its current chairman and former managing director Huw Jones was still at school.

He also worked as a lorry driver, plant operator and foreman for the company, before working his way up to senior positions including contracts manager and surfacing manager. He is especially proud of overseeing the surfacing works on the reconfiguration of Trac Mȏn – Anglesey racing circuit.

Other projects he has worked on include improvements to access roads at Wrexham Industrial Estate, the capping and treatment of lead mine shafts within Snowdonia National Park and the Kinmel Bay coastal defence scheme.

Over the following four decades he has seen the family firm grow into one of the UK’s leading civil engineering companies, which now employs 350 people.

Brian, who lives in Ruthin with his wife Hafwen, now plans to spend his hard-earned spare time caravanning and tending to his garden.

Brian said: “I’m looking forward to my retirement, though it is with slightly mixed feelings as I’ll miss the companionship of my work colleagues and the banter.

“I’ve been with Jones Bros for 45 years, when the company was a small agricultural contractor based at Caergroes farm in Mold Road, Ruthin.

“It’s been fantastic to see it grow into the firm it is today with all the expertise it has developed. I’ve worked on some terrific projects, with a favourite being Anglesey race track.”

Brian, who has two children Gareth, who works at Jones Bros, and Delyth, is also looking forward to spending more time with his four grandchildren.

Huw Jones, Chairman of Jones Bros, said: “Brian has been a great asset to the company and, being the longest-serving member of staff, has amassed considerable expertise. We wish him a long and happy retirement.”

Brian’s relationship with Jones Bros is likely to continue on a flexible basis as he offers technical expertise and advice to his former colleagues.

Founded in the 1950s, Jones Bros has grown significantly in the last decade, employing 350 people. It is currently working on contracts including the construction of waste management facilities, highways, flood and marine defence and renewable energy projects around the UK.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Sam Harris .