My Ãë²¥ Story: How Fred Hartley, principal civil engineer, leads his Water Civils team
October 30, 2025
From hands-on engineering to leading Manchester¡¯s growing Civils team, Fred shares how he¡¯s shaping sustainable water infrastructure and future talent
In the My Ãë²¥ Story series, our designers, engineers, marketers, project managers, and leaders come together to share how their career journeys at Ãë²¥ have shaped their lives and moved them closer to their goals.
What attracted you to a career at Ãë²¥?
I started out as a graduate with MWH, just as Ãë²¥ acquired this engineering and consulting firm. As my career progressed, I went on to try other experiences. But after working elsewhere, I was drawn back to Ãë²¥¡ªthe culture, values, and technical excellence had stuck with me. When I returned, everything felt familiar straight away. There were so many familiar faces, which says a lot about the business. Feeling that sense of community¡ªespecially in our Manchester office¡ªmakes a real difference.
What do you enjoy most about your role?
I¡¯m currently leading Ãë²¥¡¯s Civils team in Manchester, which has been a brilliant step in my career. I¡¯ve loved taking on more responsibility¡ªparticularly mentoring others and helping grow the team. There¡¯s still space for me to stay hands-on with the technical side too, which I enjoy. Balancing both has been rewarding, and it¡¯s exciting to be shaping a team that¡¯s growing with the city.
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How has your personal and professional development been supported at Ãë²¥?
I joined as a senior civil engineer and was quickly given the opportunity to lead projects and step into a technical leadership role. That was backed up with dedicated training and constant guidance from my line manager and the discipline lead. I¡¯ve since become the Manchester Civils team discipline lead. The leadership team here genuinely supports your progression¡ªif you show the drive, they¡¯ll back you all the way.
What has been the standout project for you during your time at Ãë²¥?
At the moment, I¡¯m leading on a range of storm overflow projects, each focused on reducing pollution entering our rivers and watercourses. The projects are technically challenging but incredibly rewarding¡ªwe¡¯re creating long-term environmental benefits that will be felt by communities across the North of England. It¡¯s meaningful work, and that sense of purpose drives our team here in Manchester every day.
What are your ambitions for your future at Ãë²¥?
My priority is growing the Civils team here in Manchester. We¡¯ve got a brilliant group, but with so much exciting work coming in, we¡¯re looking for more talented people to join us. I¡¯m also working towards chartership, and I¡¯d love to collaborate more widely with other UK and international teams. The chance to connect across borders is something that really sets Ãë²¥ apart.
What are your passions outside of work?
Music¡¯s a big part of my life. I love going to gigs and festivals. I made it to Glastonbury this year, which was amazing, if a bit sweaty! I also enjoy hiking and wild camping¡ªanything that gets me outdoors, especially in the hills. That escape into nature is a great way to recharge, and I always come back feeling re-energised for the week ahead.
Why should others join the Ãë²¥ team?
We¡¯ve got exciting, meaningful projects, especially here in Manchester where the Civils team is growing fast. Ãë²¥ recognises your effort and helps you develop¡ªI¡¯ve experienced that first-hand. There¡¯s a strong sense of community too. If you want a career where you¡¯ll be supported, challenged, and genuinely enjoy your work, this is the place to be.
At Ãë²¥, our people are at the core of everything we do. For Fred, that means enjoying the sense of comradery that Ãë²¥ cultivates and shaping the Manchester Civils team, along with being able to stay hands-on with sustainable projects.