Professional development at Kier: Oliver Lester
About me
My name is Oliver Lester, and I am an operations director at Kier. I am responsible for the operational delivery of projects across my portfolio, ensuring strong performance in safety, programme, commercial outcomes, and quality. A key part of my role is supporting and developing our teams, driving consistency, and ensuring we are set up to deliver successfully from procurement through to completion.
My career so far
I’ve built my career within the construction industry, progressing through a range of operational and project leadership roles. This journey has given me a well-rounded understanding of project delivery from site-based roles through to senior leadership.
Some of my proudest moments include:
- achieving Fellowship with the CIOB, recognising both my experience and contribution to the industry
- winning an academic scholarship through Guardian and LinkedIn and obtaining a first-class Masters (MA) degree in Leadership at the Henley Business School
- leading complex projects and teams to successful outcomes, particularly within technically challenging or high-pressure environments
- playing a key role in developing team capability and improving consistency across project delivery
- meeting Catherine Princess of Wales at the opening ceremony of the projects I completed in central London
For me, the most rewarding achievements are always people-focused - seeing individuals and teams grow and succeed.
What I do as an operations director
My role is varied, but at its core it’s about leadership, delivery, and continuous improvement. I work closely with project teams to ensure we are well-planned, procurement-ready, and set up for successful delivery from day one. I’m heavily involved in:
- reviewing programmes, procurement strategies and project readiness
- supporting teams with commercial and contractual challenges
- driving health and safety standards and leadership visibility
- developing capability through mentoring and structured support
- engaging with clients and stakeholders to maintain strong relationships and trust
No two days are the same which is something I really enjoy.
Why personal development matters to me
Achieving chartership and ultimately Fellowship was about setting a benchmark for myself and demonstrating a commitment to professionalism, standards, and continuous development. It’s important to me because:
- it provides external recognition of competence and experience
- it reinforces credibility with clients, peers and teams
- it helps drive higher standards across the industry
- it enables me to give back by supporting others on the same journey
Professional development isn't something that stops - it's something I see as a continuous responsibility
How I became chartered - and how I balanced it with work
Becoming chartered typically involves demonstrating your competence and experience against a recognised framework, submitting a professional review, and in some cases attending an interview.
Balancing it with the day job comes down to discipline and structure. What worked for me was:
- setting aside dedicated time each week (I used to travel by train a great deal, so I used this time to progress my written submission)
- prioritise your professional development to at least and equal extent as any task focus
- treating it like any other key deliverable
- using real project experience as evidence to avoid duplication
It shouldn't feel like separate work. If approached correctly, your day job provides the majority of what you need to evidence.
My advice for anyone considering chartership
Start early and don’t overthink it. The biggest barrier for most people is putting it off or assuming they’re not ready. My advice would be:
- break the process down into managable steps
- use a mentor or sponsor - they make a huge difference
- be honest and reflective in your submission
- keep evidence of your experience as you go
- stay consistent, small but regular progress is better than doing everything at once or nothing at all
Most importantly, back yourself! You're often more ready than you think.
What's next
Alongside this, I actively volunteer as a sponsor and mentor, supporting colleagues as they work towards their own professional memberships and chartership.
Looking ahead, I’m focused on continuing to raise standards, deliver high-quality projects and invest in the people around me.
