
As Walker Construction celebrates its 60th anniversary, we sit down with managing director Phil Webb to explore the company’s remarkable journey and enduring legacy
In the competitive world of construction, few names stand out like Walker Construction. The firm’s story began in 1964 with three brothers in north London undertaking paving works. Their success in bidding for a contract in Folkestone led the family to relocate. Over the next three decades, the business grew into a well-respected civil engineering and building contractor.
Today, Walker Construction operates across the South East of England with a diverse portfolio spanning building, civil engineering, and rail & structures. The company takes pride in its comprehensive all-trades capability, delivering services to various sectors such as rail and rail infrastructure, local authorities, water and highway departments, the Ministry of Defence, healthcare, education, housing and commercial building. Based in Hythe, Kent, Walker Construction has expanded to establish regional offices in Essex, Surrey and Buckinghamshire.
Managing director Phil Webb explains that, despite its growth, Walker Construction remains rooted in its family family-oriented values. “We are one family,” Phil states. “Our greatest asset is the people who work in and around the business. I am honoured to be the first non-Walker family member to serve as MD. In the company’s 60-year history, being entrusted as the custodian of the company is an immense privilege. At Walker Construction, our mission is to connect communities through a sustainable built environment – a vision that has evolved over the years to include a strong focus on environmental impact, community outreach and the mental wellbeing of stakeholders.”

Phil’s path to becoming managing director is a testament to perseverance and hands-on experience. Starting his career at 16, he undertook an indentured training program with Mid Kent Water Company, earning an ONC and HNC in Civil Engineering. However, it was his decision to gain practical experience from the ground up that set the foundation for his future success. He started as a site engineer with a South East-based civil engineering and building contractor with the aspiration to eventually become a site agent managing his own site.
This ethos of learning every aspect of the job, from site operative to foreman, instilled in him a deep respect for the work and those who perform it. By the time he joined Walker Construction in 1993 as a site agent, Phil was already setting his sights on higher goals. His passion for challenging projects in the rail sector eventually led him to become rail director in 2006 and, finally, managing director in 2013.
60 years in business is no mean feat. Walker Construction maintains its competitive edge through a steadfast focus on quality, technological innovation, a skilled workforce, strong project management and a flexible, customer-centric approach. “These elements combine to form a robust framework that underpins our long-term success and leadership in the construction sector,” says Phil.
With a team of 170 highly skilled professionals, the company invests significantly in continuous training and development, including apprenticeships and graduate programmes. “Our goal is to meet and exceed our clients’ expectations, which builds a strong reputation and often results in repeat business,” Phil explains. “We take pride in delivering high-quality projects on time and within budget. Our flexibility allows us to adapt to evolving client requirements and our capability to handle complex and logistically challenging projects keeps us ahead of the competition. This responsiveness and commitment to excellence set us apart in the industry.”
Modern methods of construction and sustainability are becoming increasingly important. Walker Construction is at the forefront of these trends, driving cost reduction through efficiencies and reducing carbon footprints. The company’s achievements over the past six decades are manifold and it has made substantial contributions to the industry.

One of Walker Construction’s most notable recent innovations is the AVA Footbridge and Lift System, developed in collaboration with a consortium of like-minded SMEs, including Hawkins\Brown, Expedition Engineering, Network Rail, McNealy Brown and ARX, and funded by Innovate UK, DfT and Network Rail.
AVA’s development was driven by a clear need to enhance productivity in delivering footbridges and lifts across the network, reducing capital expenditure, installation time and carbon footprint. “The AVA Footbridge and Lift System prototype heralds a new era of railway footbridge design and construction, revolutionising the procurement, manufacturing and installation of footbridges and lifts,” says Phil. Walker Construction is proud and privileged to be invited into the consortium on this innovation project and has now secured two contracts for AVA.”
In his role as MD, Phil is dedicated to cultivating a culture centred on teamwork, innovation and excellence. “I believe that this requires a multifaceted approach, combining strong leadership, clear communication and an open-door policy,” he states. “Throughout my career in construction, I’ve held diverse roles. As managing director, it’s crucial to exemplify the behaviours and attitudes I expect from our teams – promoting teamwork, establishing clear expectations, fostering collaboration, maintaining open communication channels and ensuring recognition for employees.”
Investing in the development of employees is crucial to Walker Construction’s success. The company is committed to not only bringing new talent into the fold through apprenticeships and graduate programmes, but also to upskilling its existing workforce. Phil adds: “I strive to empower our teams at every level by delegating responsibilities and granting them the authority to make decisions within their areas of expertise. I actively encourage their involvement in our decision-making processes. Ultimately, these are the individuals who will be on the front lines, implementing the results of our decisions, so their insights and input are invaluable.”

Phil acknowledges that while his commitment to the company might sometimes suggest a ‘workaholic’ tendency, creating a positive work environment remains a top priority. “It’s essential that we support a healthy work-life balance for our employees, which enhances productivity and personal wellbeing,” he asserts. Walker Construction strives to create an environment where diversity, inclusion and equality are at the forefront. Employees are encouraged to participate in the firm’s Corporate Social Responsibility objectives, particularly with community engagement. This, Phil observes, helps to build a sense of purpose and teamwork that extends beyond the workplace.
I go on to ask Phil about Walker Construction’s plans to mark its 60th anniversary, and he proudly outlines a series of exciting events and initiatives. The highlight will be a grand celebration at the London Transport Museum in Covent Garden in September, where the company will honour its rich history and achievements. In addition, there will be community engagement projects, employee appreciation days, industry conferences and charity initiatives throughout the year.
The goal, Phil explains, is to not only celebrate Walker Construction’s own success, but also to give back to the community and industries that have supported it over the years. “We are thrilled to share this milestone with our dedicated employees, valued clients and trusted partners. Their support has been instrumental in our journey, and we look forward to continuing our legacy of excellence together.”
Looking ahead, Phil’s vision for Walker Construction includes succession planning to ensure the company’s longevity, continuous improvement in sustainability and ongoing investment in people. “I do not doubt that Walker Construction will be in business for another 60 years,” he concludes. “But we cannot rest on our laurels; we still need to be ambitious, with key objectives to ensure our competitiveness and adaptability to industry trends.”