Leighton by the Sea: Company Day May 2025
Sun, sea, and the Leighton team all under one roof meant only one thing: company day!
This May, colleagues came together for a company day unlike any other – at the iconic Spanish City in Whitley Bay. Swapping the usual Newcastle city centre venues for a change of scenery, company day brought together colleagues from across the country for a day of inspiration, laughter, connection, and reflection.
With panoramic sea views, seaside-themed décor, and some sea-themed fancy dress costumes thrown in, the day perfectly captured the spirit of company day: bold, people-first and looking to the future.
As colleagues arrived at Spanish City, reconnected, and grabbed their seats, they were met with beach balls and Leighton-branded sticks of rock, keeping things perfectly on-brand with the theme of the day.
James Bunting, Leighton CEO was first on stage, opening the day with a short welcome and a look at what was coming up.
In a first-of-its-kind talk at a Leighton company day, international speaker and award-winning author Paul McGee then took to the stage, sharing powerful, practical insights on how we can all apply the SUMO principles (Shut Up, Move On), to live more confidently and lead more fulfilling lives. His message landed well – and gave the Leighton team plenty to think about.
Next up was Andy Carr, Chief Financial Officer, who walked the team through Leighton’s financial position and shared what the next 12 months look like from a numbers perspective. Andy’s session was clear and gave the team a real visibility into how things are tracking, and where Leighton is investing to support colleague growth.
By now, appetites were high – and what better way to enjoy lunch by the sea than with fish and chips? It’s safe to say the food was a hit amongst colleagues, with many calling it the best company day lunch yet.
The afternoon was packed with talks from across the business; Claire Cundill, Chief Revenue Officer walked us through Leighton’s go-to-market strategy and what commercial growth will look like over the coming months.
Claire Gledhill, Chief Operating Officer followed with an update on overall business strategy, helping colleagues from across the business to understand how success is being defined and measured.
Vikki McKeown and Laura Fletcher, Colleague Experience Partners then joined forces on stage to talk about how they’re improving colleague engagement, satisfaction, and retention – work that’s already starting to show real impact across the business.
Finally, Steve Morland Leighton Chief Technology Officer, wrapped up the session with a sharp look at Leighton’s tech roadmap and the priorities shaping delivery for the year ahead.
An afternoon pause came in the form of ice cream and sunshine. With the weather on our side, colleagues took advantage of the ice cream stand set up on the promenade before heading back in for the final sessions of the day.
By far the most unexpected (and funniest) moment of the day came courtesy of Claire Bly, HR Business Partner, Hayley Wood, Delivery and Product Lead and Abby Carey, Financial Controller - who delivered a colleague engagement session dressed as sharks and crabs. Yes, really. And somehow, amongst the fits of laughter, managed to keep the session relevant, insightful and genuinely on-theme.
We rounded the afternoon off with a few final sessions. Holli Taylor, Leighton’s Head of Marketing shared an update on the marketing strategy over the next 12 months with some exciting plans on the horizon.
Jo Larby and Jon Mears, Community Leads at Leighton then shared some highlights and celebrations coming out of the Leighton communities over the last 9 months and shared more on plans for the year to come.
And finally, the Leighton Executive Leadership Team hosted a live Q&A, giving colleagues the chance to ask questions, raise ideas, and get direct answers – a great way to close the loop on a full day of updates.
With the sun still shining, we made our way to Crusoe's on Tynemouth beach for an evening of food, drinks, and the Leighton Awards which recognised colleagues on an individual basis that have demonstrated behaviours in line with the Leighton values; Honesty, Nurture, Passion, Collaboration and Curiosity. Each recipient has made a standout contribution to Leighton and its culture over the last 6 months, helping shape the positive, collaborative environment that drives us forward.
As the sun began to set, a few brave colleagues decided to dip their toes in the sea for a “plodge” led by Lisa McCann, Senior Quality Engineer here at Leighton. The consensus was, it was very cold! The evening continued with seaside-themed games, music, drinks and food. A great way to close out a day that combined business focus with real moments of connection and fun.
Plodge
/ plɒdʒ /
verb
(intr) to wade in water, esp the sea
Leighton company days are always good days, but this time it felt different. Spanish City gave us the perfect space to press pause, reconnect, and refocus. Whether it was hearing new ideas, celebrating success, or simply chatting over ice cream, the May company day reminded us what makes Leighton and its colleagues special – we’re passionate about what we do, and proud of what we achieve.
We’re already looking forward to the next company day in November.
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Re-live the highlights of the day, from inspirational talks, to a dip in the sea for those who were brave enough.
https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7336020659162042368
Sun, sea, and the Leighton team all under one roof meant only one thing: company day!
This May, colleagues came together for a company day unlike any other – at the iconic Spanish City in Whitley Bay. Swapping the usual Newcastle city centre venues for a change of scenery, company day brought together colleagues from across the country for a day of inspiration, laughter, connection, and reflection.
With panoramic sea views, seaside-themed décor, and some sea-themed fancy dress costumes thrown in, the day perfectly captured the spirit of company day: bold, people-first and looking to the future.
As colleagues arrived at Spanish City, reconnected, and grabbed their seats, they were met with beach balls and Leighton-branded sticks of rock, keeping things perfectly on-brand with the theme of the day.
James Bunting, Leighton CEO was first on stage, opening the day with a short welcome and a look at what was coming up.
In a first-of-its-kind talk at a Leighton company day, international speaker and award-winning author Paul McGee then took to the stage, sharing powerful, practical insights on how we can all apply the SUMO principles (Shut Up, Move On), to live more confidently and lead more fulfilling lives. His message landed well – and gave the Leighton team plenty to think about.
Next up was Andy Carr, Chief Financial Officer, who walked the team through Leighton’s financial position and shared what the next 12 months look like from a numbers perspective. Andy’s session was clear and gave the team a real visibility into how things are tracking, and where Leighton is investing to support colleague growth.
By now, appetites were high – and what better way to enjoy lunch by the sea than with fish and chips? It’s safe to say the food was a hit amongst colleagues, with many calling it the best company day lunch yet.
The afternoon was packed with talks from across the business; Claire Cundill, Chief Revenue Officer walked us through Leighton’s go-to-market strategy and what commercial growth will look like over the coming months.
Claire Gledhill, Chief Operating Officer followed with an update on overall business strategy, helping colleagues from across the business to understand how success is being defined and measured.
Vikki McKeown and Laura Fletcher, Colleague Experience Partners then joined forces on stage to talk about how they’re improving colleague engagement, satisfaction, and retention – work that’s already starting to show real impact across the business.
Finally, Steve Morland Leighton Chief Technology Officer, wrapped up the session with a sharp look at Leighton’s tech roadmap and the priorities shaping delivery for the year ahead.
An afternoon pause came in the form of ice cream and sunshine. With the weather on our side, colleagues took advantage of the ice cream stand set up on the promenade before heading back in for the final sessions of the day.
By far the most unexpected (and funniest) moment of the day came courtesy of Claire Bly, HR Business Partner, Hayley Wood, Delivery and Product Lead and Abby Carey, Financial Controller - who delivered a colleague engagement session dressed as sharks and crabs. Yes, really. And somehow, amongst the fits of laughter, managed to keep the session relevant, insightful and genuinely on-theme.
We rounded the afternoon off with a few final sessions. Holli Taylor, Leighton’s Head of Marketing shared an update on the marketing strategy over the next 12 months with some exciting plans on the horizon.
Jo Larby and Jon Mears, Community Leads at Leighton then shared some highlights and celebrations coming out of the Leighton communities over the last 9 months and shared more on plans for the year to come.
And finally, the Leighton Executive Leadership Team hosted a live Q&A, giving colleagues the chance to ask questions, raise ideas, and get direct answers – a great way to close the loop on a full day of updates.
With the sun still shining, we made our way to Crusoe's on Tynemouth beach for an evening of food, drinks, and the Leighton Awards which recognised colleagues on an individual basis that have demonstrated behaviours in line with the Leighton values; Honesty, Nurture, Passion, Collaboration and Curiosity. Each recipient has made a standout contribution to Leighton and its culture over the last 6 months, helping shape the positive, collaborative environment that drives us forward.
As the sun began to set, a few brave colleagues decided to dip their toes in the sea for a “plodge” led by Lisa McCann, Senior Quality Engineer here at Leighton. The consensus was, it was very cold! The evening continued with seaside-themed games, music, drinks and food. A great way to close out a day that combined business focus with real moments of connection and fun.
Plodge
/ plɒdʒ /
verb
(intr) to wade in water, esp the sea
Leighton company days are always good days, but this time it felt different. Spanish City gave us the perfect space to press pause, reconnect, and refocus. Whether it was hearing new ideas, celebrating success, or simply chatting over ice cream, the May company day reminded us what makes Leighton and its colleagues special – we’re passionate about what we do, and proud of what we achieve.
We’re already looking forward to the next company day in November.
Re-live the highlights of the day, from inspirational talks, to a dip in the sea for those who were brave enough.
https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7336020659162042368
Sun, sea, and the Leighton team all under one roof meant only one thing: company day!
This May, colleagues came together for a company day unlike any other – at the iconic Spanish City in Whitley Bay. Swapping the usual Newcastle city centre venues for a change of scenery, company day brought together colleagues from across the country for a day of inspiration, laughter, connection, and reflection.
With panoramic sea views, seaside-themed décor, and some sea-themed fancy dress costumes thrown in, the day perfectly captured the spirit of company day: bold, people-first and looking to the future.
As colleagues arrived at Spanish City, reconnected, and grabbed their seats, they were met with beach balls and Leighton-branded sticks of rock, keeping things perfectly on-brand with the theme of the day.
James Bunting, Leighton CEO was first on stage, opening the day with a short welcome and a look at what was coming up.
In a first-of-its-kind talk at a Leighton company day, international speaker and award-winning author Paul McGee then took to the stage, sharing powerful, practical insights on how we can all apply the SUMO principles (Shut Up, Move On), to live more confidently and lead more fulfilling lives. His message landed well – and gave the Leighton team plenty to think about.
Next up was Andy Carr, Chief Financial Officer, who walked the team through Leighton’s financial position and shared what the next 12 months look like from a numbers perspective. Andy’s session was clear and gave the team a real visibility into how things are tracking, and where Leighton is investing to support colleague growth.
By now, appetites were high – and what better way to enjoy lunch by the sea than with fish and chips? It’s safe to say the food was a hit amongst colleagues, with many calling it the best company day lunch yet.
The afternoon was packed with talks from across the business; Claire Cundill, Chief Revenue Officer walked us through Leighton’s go-to-market strategy and what commercial growth will look like over the coming months.
Claire Gledhill, Chief Operating Officer followed with an update on overall business strategy, helping colleagues from across the business to understand how success is being defined and measured.
Vikki McKeown and Laura Fletcher, Colleague Experience Partners then joined forces on stage to talk about how they’re improving colleague engagement, satisfaction, and retention – work that’s already starting to show real impact across the business.
Finally, Steve Morland Leighton Chief Technology Officer, wrapped up the session with a sharp look at Leighton’s tech roadmap and the priorities shaping delivery for the year ahead.
An afternoon pause came in the form of ice cream and sunshine. With the weather on our side, colleagues took advantage of the ice cream stand set up on the promenade before heading back in for the final sessions of the day.
By far the most unexpected (and funniest) moment of the day came courtesy of Claire Bly, HR Business Partner, Hayley Wood, Delivery and Product Lead and Abby Carey, Financial Controller - who delivered a colleague engagement session dressed as sharks and crabs. Yes, really. And somehow, amongst the fits of laughter, managed to keep the session relevant, insightful and genuinely on-theme.
We rounded the afternoon off with a few final sessions. Holli Taylor, Leighton’s Head of Marketing shared an update on the marketing strategy over the next 12 months with some exciting plans on the horizon.
Jo Larby and Jon Mears, Community Leads at Leighton then shared some highlights and celebrations coming out of the Leighton communities over the last 9 months and shared more on plans for the year to come.
And finally, the Leighton Executive Leadership Team hosted a live Q&A, giving colleagues the chance to ask questions, raise ideas, and get direct answers – a great way to close the loop on a full day of updates.
With the sun still shining, we made our way to Crusoe's on Tynemouth beach for an evening of food, drinks, and the Leighton Awards which recognised colleagues on an individual basis that have demonstrated behaviours in line with the Leighton values; Honesty, Nurture, Passion, Collaboration and Curiosity. Each recipient has made a standout contribution to Leighton and its culture over the last 6 months, helping shape the positive, collaborative environment that drives us forward.
As the sun began to set, a few brave colleagues decided to dip their toes in the sea for a “plodge” led by Lisa McCann, Senior Quality Engineer here at Leighton. The consensus was, it was very cold! The evening continued with seaside-themed games, music, drinks and food. A great way to close out a day that combined business focus with real moments of connection and fun.
Plodge
/ plɒdʒ /
verb
(intr) to wade in water, esp the sea
Leighton company days are always good days, but this time it felt different. Spanish City gave us the perfect space to press pause, reconnect, and refocus. Whether it was hearing new ideas, celebrating success, or simply chatting over ice cream, the May company day reminded us what makes Leighton and its colleagues special – we’re passionate about what we do, and proud of what we achieve.
We’re already looking forward to the next company day in November.
Re-live the highlights of the day, from inspirational talks, to a dip in the sea for those who were brave enough.
https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7336020659162042368
Sun, sea, and the Leighton team all under one roof meant only one thing: company day!
This May, colleagues came together for a company day unlike any other – at the iconic Spanish City in Whitley Bay. Swapping the usual Newcastle city centre venues for a change of scenery, company day brought together colleagues from across the country for a day of inspiration, laughter, connection, and reflection.
With panoramic sea views, seaside-themed décor, and some sea-themed fancy dress costumes thrown in, the day perfectly captured the spirit of company day: bold, people-first and looking to the future.
As colleagues arrived at Spanish City, reconnected, and grabbed their seats, they were met with beach balls and Leighton-branded sticks of rock, keeping things perfectly on-brand with the theme of the day.
James Bunting, Leighton CEO was first on stage, opening the day with a short welcome and a look at what was coming up.
In a first-of-its-kind talk at a Leighton company day, international speaker and award-winning author Paul McGee then took to the stage, sharing powerful, practical insights on how we can all apply the SUMO principles (Shut Up, Move On), to live more confidently and lead more fulfilling lives. His message landed well – and gave the Leighton team plenty to think about.
Next up was Andy Carr, Chief Financial Officer, who walked the team through Leighton’s financial position and shared what the next 12 months look like from a numbers perspective. Andy’s session was clear and gave the team a real visibility into how things are tracking, and where Leighton is investing to support colleague growth.
By now, appetites were high – and what better way to enjoy lunch by the sea than with fish and chips? It’s safe to say the food was a hit amongst colleagues, with many calling it the best company day lunch yet.
The afternoon was packed with talks from across the business; Claire Cundill, Chief Revenue Officer walked us through Leighton’s go-to-market strategy and what commercial growth will look like over the coming months.
Claire Gledhill, Chief Operating Officer followed with an update on overall business strategy, helping colleagues from across the business to understand how success is being defined and measured.
Vikki McKeown and Laura Fletcher, Colleague Experience Partners then joined forces on stage to talk about how they’re improving colleague engagement, satisfaction, and retention – work that’s already starting to show real impact across the business.
Finally, Steve Morland Leighton Chief Technology Officer, wrapped up the session with a sharp look at Leighton’s tech roadmap and the priorities shaping delivery for the year ahead.
An afternoon pause came in the form of ice cream and sunshine. With the weather on our side, colleagues took advantage of the ice cream stand set up on the promenade before heading back in for the final sessions of the day.
By far the most unexpected (and funniest) moment of the day came courtesy of Claire Bly, HR Business Partner, Hayley Wood, Delivery and Product Lead and Abby Carey, Financial Controller - who delivered a colleague engagement session dressed as sharks and crabs. Yes, really. And somehow, amongst the fits of laughter, managed to keep the session relevant, insightful and genuinely on-theme.
We rounded the afternoon off with a few final sessions. Holli Taylor, Leighton’s Head of Marketing shared an update on the marketing strategy over the next 12 months with some exciting plans on the horizon.
Jo Larby and Jon Mears, Community Leads at Leighton then shared some highlights and celebrations coming out of the Leighton communities over the last 9 months and shared more on plans for the year to come.
And finally, the Leighton Executive Leadership Team hosted a live Q&A, giving colleagues the chance to ask questions, raise ideas, and get direct answers – a great way to close the loop on a full day of updates.
With the sun still shining, we made our way to Crusoe's on Tynemouth beach for an evening of food, drinks, and the Leighton Awards which recognised colleagues on an individual basis that have demonstrated behaviours in line with the Leighton values; Honesty, Nurture, Passion, Collaboration and Curiosity. Each recipient has made a standout contribution to Leighton and its culture over the last 6 months, helping shape the positive, collaborative environment that drives us forward.
As the sun began to set, a few brave colleagues decided to dip their toes in the sea for a “plodge” led by Lisa McCann, Senior Quality Engineer here at Leighton. The consensus was, it was very cold! The evening continued with seaside-themed games, music, drinks and food. A great way to close out a day that combined business focus with real moments of connection and fun.
Plodge
/ plɒdʒ /
verb
(intr) to wade in water, esp the sea
Leighton company days are always good days, but this time it felt different. Spanish City gave us the perfect space to press pause, reconnect, and refocus. Whether it was hearing new ideas, celebrating success, or simply chatting over ice cream, the May company day reminded us what makes Leighton and its colleagues special – we’re passionate about what we do, and proud of what we achieve.
We’re already looking forward to the next company day in November.
Re-live the highlights of the day, from inspirational talks, to a dip in the sea for those who were brave enough.
https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7336020659162042368
