insights The Warrington Office Lowdown

Julie Gilmour | Assistant Process Engineer

28 September 2018

Where can you add a run to your work day, chill with nature, or take a quick jaunt into Liverpool or Manchester?

Welcome to Atkins, a member of the AtkinsRéalis group, in Warrington! If you are coming to interview with us or just wondering what it’s like to work here, look no further. Here are some snippets and photos from the office to give you a feel of our vibe…

First up, what should I wear when I visit?

From Mondays to Thursdays it’s business attire… and then it’s dress down Fridays. Whichever the day though, our atmosphere is always relaxed and friendly.

What keeps the innovation on tap?

COFFEE + CONVERSATION: We have a place called ‘The Centre’ on campus which does delicious hot meals and a DIY salad bar. We also have two more cafés attached to the building which serve Starbucks coffee, paninis, crisps and *drumroll* the most amazing Bacon & Sausage Rolls in Cheshire. (Our Friday breakfast tradition.)

ENDORPHINS: We have shower facilities in the building and a cycle routes near the office so quite a few of us regularly pop out for a run or cycle to burn off some steam. We also have a gym opposite the Atkins building that does great classes. I’m partial to a yoga session before work.

Where can I find a spot to chill out?

If you don’t mind the iffy British weather, you’ll love our grounds. When the weather’s ‘good’, we all convene for lunch in the big, central courtyard. When it’s sunny we head out to sit across from the pond where there are often some ducks waddling around. We also have woodland walks around the office, which are pretty tranquil.

What’s it like working there?

I decided to join Atkins because I liked the idea of consultancy and the chance to work on a variety of projects, knowing it’d be beneficial early on in my career. Since I joined the team here, my day-to-day life at Atkins has been constantly changing. I’ve had tonnes of exciting opportunities to grow and learn in a social, nurturing environment. When I first started at Atkins, I knew that I wanted to learn about different sectors — and the team at Atkins made sure that I got to do that.

In my current role I’m seconded into the Strategy & Business Development team, which has provided me with the opportunity to understand how the business works, and the importance of tracking new opportunities. I have met such diverse people in this role, and I have learned about markets which I had never worked in before. Previously I worked in the Process Engineering team, and the opportunity to try something totally different (and non-technical) is one of the many reasons why I enjoy working here.

I’ve always felt really supported. Senior colleagues don’t have offices — they sit in with everyone else. So I’ve been able to speak to and learn from them whenever I’ve needed to. At the same time I’ve been given plenty of room to develop new skills, work independently and master what I do!

You have a reputation for being a social office?

Oh yes we do. The team is always up for getting together outside of work. There are a few good places in Warrington. However at Atkins, when we go out – we like to make the most of it. So the Socials Team usually organises nights out close by in Manchester or Liverpool.

If a group of colleagues is interested in a certain activity, it’s easy to get something going. Someone just started a Pilates group and it filled up really quickly. We also have football, bouldering, a running club and curry club to name a few!

I’m visiting overnight… where’s good to stay?

The Pentahotel Warrington is 9 minutes’ walk from the office. And there are also reliable staples like the Holiday Inn (8 min drive), Travelodge (15 min drive) and Premier Inn (10 min drive) – plus plenty of friendly local hotels too.

If I have time to sight-see what should I put on my list?

All year round Warrington has plenty of stunning walks, my favourites are Walton Gardens, Sankey Valley and Lymm Dam. There’s always something on at the Warrington Museum & Art Gallery – the oldest public museum in the North West. And if you’re lucky enough to be in town for a Warrington Wolves game. Allez allez allez oh!

If you’ve never been to Liverpool or Manchester – this is your opportunity. They’re roughly 20 mins from Warrington by train. Between the two cities there’s so much to see — from the obvious Beatles landmarks in Liverpool and Old Trafford in Manchester, to many other famous attractions.

Picture yourself in our Warrington office? Here’s some good news: we are hiring!