Happy Retirement
We were delighted to celebrate the retirement of a very special member of the Champion Groundworks team this past weekend.
Mike McKay has been part of the Champion Groundworks team for 19 years and has played a pivotal role throughout his time with us.
As our Technical Services Manager, Mike oversaw all aspects of our technical operations related to drainage - from inspecting drainage connections, ensuring that the work going into manholes, benching of manholes, lines and mains are all being undertaken to the highest possible standards, ensuring a seamless handover process to South West Water for our client's projects.
In line with the growth of our groundworks operations across the region, Mike has built and developed a strong team around him. In recent years, he has focused on passing on his knowledge and experience to Chris Holmes and Matt Griffiths, who will now carry his work forward. We couldn’t have asked for a better mentor, role model or colleague to guide and support them.
Mike also took on a key role in early service detection on new projects — tracing existing services and helping to ensure the safety of our teams, clients and everyone on site from day one. True to form, he always shared his knowledge, supporting others with training in CAT & Genny and Confined Spaces. For Mike, this has never just been a job — it’s a responsibility, and that commitment to helping others succeed is something we’ll all miss.
It’s difficult to put into words the level of gratitude we feel for everything Mike has given us over the years. While he may be stepping away from day-to-day operations, as a friend to many, he’ll never be far away. In fact, he’s continuing a long-standing tradition with a walking trip to Scotland next week with some of the team — and of course, he’ll always be a guest of honour at all future Champion gatherings!
Alongside his dedication to the business, Mike is a devoted family man. We’re pleased he now has more time to enjoy a slower pace of life, spend time with his wife Sue, and make more memories with his grandchildren - who absolutely adore him.
Thank you, Mike, for everything you’ve done for Champion Groundworks — and more importantly, for the people within it.
