Heyford Park School Students Explore Recycling and the Circular Economy with Industry Experts

Students from Heyford Park School learned about the importance of recycling and the circular economy with a competition and workshop delivered by industry partners, Fortis IBA and Viridor.

Held at the Ardley Energy Recovery Facility (ERF), the companies partnered to bring the circular economy to life through hands-on activities and real-world insights.

The students were treated to a fun and interactive day, learning how Oxfordshire’s non-recycled waste is transformed—travelling from homes to the ERF, where it is processed to not only generate electricity but also create a valuable construction aggregate known as Fortistone® IBA Aggregate.  This sustainable material serves as an alternative to importing primary resources into Oxfordshire. The children were tasked with a fun, interactive Lego road-building challenge designed to highlight the importance of adopting a circular economy mindset. Lego prizes were presented by Fortis IBA Chairman, Mark Oliver, to students who demonstrated the most innovative suggestions.

The school had taken part in a poster design competition and special guest, Councillor Judy Roberts, Cabinet Member for Place, Environment and Climate Action at Oxfordshire County Council was invited to present the winning students with their prizes and certificates. Each winner received a goody bag and a £10 book token.

Councillor Judy Roberts said: “If we are to tackle the climate emergency, it is essential that the younger generation gets involved at an early age. So it was a privilege to see pupils learning about how the ‘circular economy’ can reduce the impact on the environment and challenge our current ‘take-make-dispose’ approach.

Their enthusiasm was a reminder about why our council places climate action at the heart of everything we do.”

Lisa Hudson, Teacher at Heyford Park School commented: “The visit to Ardley Energy Recovery Facility was a fantastic experience for the children. They thoroughly enjoyed exploring the centre and learning about recycling and sustainability in a real-world context. It was fascinating for them to see how waste is processed and transformed into energy and other useful materials. The interactive displays and informative presentations at the visitor centre really helped to bring these important environmental topics to life. Overall, it was a highly engaging and educational trip that reinforced our classroom learning in a memorable way.”

Pictured: Heyford Park, winners of the poster competition, with Jessica Baker-Pike (Viridor), Mark Oliver (Fortis IBA), and Councillor Judy Roberts, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Place, Environment and Climate Action.

Raymond Brown Fleet once again achieves Fleet Operator Recognition Scheme (FORS) Bronze Accreditation

We are pleased to announce that the Raymond Brown Fleet has once again achieved the Fleet Operator Recognition Scheme (FORS) Bronze accreditation. This reaccreditation reflects our ongoing commitment to enhancing the safety, efficiency, and environmental performance of our fleet and drivers.

FORS is a nationally recognised, voluntary accreditation scheme designed to raise standards across fleet operations. It highlights operators who demonstrate best practices in road safety, fuel efficiency, and environmental protection.

Achieving the Bronze standard reinforces our focus on safe and responsible transport operations. Thank you to Simon Webb, Transport Manager, and Steven Laight, HSQE Manager, for leading the reaccreditation process, and all our staff for their continued efforts in maintaining our high standards.

 

Fortis Highly Commended for Circular Economy Success Industry Award

Earlier this year, Fortis IBA was shortlisted for both the Circular Economy Success Award and Excellence in Environmental Impact Award in the 2025 Let’s Recycle Awards for Excellence in Recycling and Waste Management. The awards ceremony took place this month in London, where Presenter, Ben Shephard hosted the event, celebrating outstanding achievements across the recycling and waste management industry.

At the awards ceremony, we were pleased to have been awarded Highly Commended for the Circular Economy Success Award, a recognition of our continued commitment to sustainability. This achievement is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the entire Fortis team.

Mark Renault wins MPA Special Award for Outstanding Contribution by an Employee

Congratulations to Mark Renault, Environmental Permitting Manager, for winning the MPA Outstanding Contribution by an Employee Award. Mark has been with the business for 27 years and is one of the company’s longest serving employees. He has a particular passion for Brickworth Quarry in Wiltshire, having spent 20 years out of his 27 year career based on site there. In 1998, he was initially employed at Brickworth Quarry as the Weighbridge Clerk, he then developed to Plant Operative and later, progressed to Quarry Manager. In 2018, Mark’s proactive approach and enthusiasm for biodiversity and nature across all of the Raymond Brown quarries led to his promotion to the role of Environmental Permitting Manager.

Mark has leveraged his operational expertise and environmental knowledge to enhance ecology and biodiversity across all Raymond Brown quarries and has played a key role in developing new mineral reserves, managing the closure of restored quarries and overseeing ecological management. Mark recognises the importance of diverse, sensitive and unique habitats and uses his practical strengths and ‘hands on’ approach to directly deliver biodiversity benefits. He has used his site experience to contribute his knowledge and ideas to shape the ever changing habitats within the quarrying sector. With 27 years of commitment to the industry, this award is incredibly well deserved, congratulations Mark.

Rob Westell, Estates and Planning Director commented: “Biodiversity creation is now central to any planning application, but delivery relies on people. We are immensely proud of our on-site teams and all they do to give mother nature a boost, but sometimes an individual stands out for going that bit further. Mark is an asset to our Planning & Estates team and the business and I am extremely pleased that his ‘above and beyond’ efforts have been rewarded with this prestigious award. Well done Mark.”

Fortis IBA has been awarded top safety accreditation

Fortis IBA has been awarded accreditation from Alcumus SafeContractor for excellence in health and safety, another demonstration by the business of its high standards of safety and commitment to best practice.

Alcumus SafeContractor is one of the UK’s leading Health and Safety schemes, working with organisations to ensure their legal compliance and allowing them to demonstrate responsible and ethical business practices.

The scheme helps organisations to achieve compliance by verifying that their health and safety system meets the required standard.

Fortis’ recent SafeContractor accreditation and Constructionline registration mark another important milestone in its ongoing commitment to continuous improvement.

Fortis IBA achieves Constructionline Gold

Fortis IBA achieves Constructionline Gold

Fortis IBA has achieved Constructionline Gold Membership, an achievement that reflects its commitment and dedication to maintaining the highest industry standards across our operations.

Constructionline Gold is a prestigious recognised accreditation that demonstrates commitment to maintaining the highest standards of HSQE, governance, risk management, operational efficiency and ethical responsibilities. It is used by leading contractors, local authorities, and government bodies.

Achieving this membership means our organisation has been subjected to increased scrutiny via an enhanced assessment process and meets the requirements to operate at this level and the Common Assessment Standard. The process goes above and beyond PAS 91 (which has now been withdrawn by the British Standards Institution (BSI), using an enhanced assessment). As part of its Constructionline Gold membership, Fortis has also gained SSIP accreditation (Safety Schemes in Procurement), through Acclaim Accreditation’s assessment of its health and safety documentation and processes.

SSIP is a membership body for health and safety assessment schemes, aiming to improve health and safety standards across the UK and reduce duplication in health and safety assessments. Our certification shows that we meet the required standard for health and safety compliance across the industry.

“Achieving Constructionline Gold reflects our dedication to operational excellence and is a distinction earned by only a few aggregate manufacturers,” commented Mark Oliver, Chairman. “It is a testament to the hard work of our employees and shows our commitment to industry best practices and to providing exceptional quality to our customers.”

Raymond Brown Quarry Products reaccredited with ISO 45001 Health and Safety Management System

We are pleased to announce that Raymond Brown Quarry Products has again been successful in the recertification of our ISO 45001 Health and Safety Management System and surveillance of our Quality ISO 9001 and Environmental ISO 14001 standards.

Steven Laight, HSQE Manager said: “Our sites consistently demonstrate audit readiness, requiring only a small amount of preparation for each audit and the auditor noted that all activities reviewed as part of the audit were considered to be very well managed and controlled.  Well done to all our office and site teams for keeping us going home safely, remaining healthy, whilst protecting the environment.”

Mental Health Awareness Week

Mental Health Awareness Week takes place in the UK each May.  This year, it ran from 13-19 May and the theme was Movement: Moving more for our mental health.  Fortis IBA is committed to establishing, promoting, protecting and maintaining the mental health and wellbeing of all employees through workplace practices.

In support of Mental Health Awareness Week, all Fortis IBA staff were given a branded water bottle with card to remind them to move more for their mental health.  Toolbox Talks were undertaken across the business and sites to raise awareness on mental health awareness and to look at different activities we can do to help improve our mental health.

Mental Health First Aiders, Steve Laight (HSQE Manager), Gemma Taylorson (HR Manager) and Mandy Frost (PA to Directors) provide additional guidance within the business on mental health awareness and different ways of engaging with and supporting employees.  The business also has an Employee Assistance Programme which employees can utilise should they require support from trained counsellors. This is a confidential 24-hour, 7 day a week advice and counselling phone line which offers support for any mental health issues.

Fortis IBA shortlisted for Solent 250 Awards

We are pleased to announce that Fortis IBA has been shortlisted for the Market Innovator Category in the Solent 250 Awards.  This shortlisting acknowledges companies or individuals that have demonstrated exceptional creativity, forward-thinking strategies, and impactful implementations in the market.

The Market Innovator of the Year award recognises a company or individual that has demonstrated creativity, forward-thinking strategies, and impactful implementations in the market. The recipient must exhibit a proven track record of pioneering solutions, fostering industry growth, and setting benchmarks for innovation in their respective market segment.

The Solent 250 is an annual ranking that celebrates the top privately-owned businesses in the region listed by annual sales turnover.  Qualifying companies must be independent and headquartered in the Solent which is defined as Hampshire (south of Basingstoke), parts of Dorset, Wiltshire and West Sussex.  The ranking is compiled by The Business Magazine and sponsored by HSBC UK, specialist recruiter CMA Recruitment Group, property experts Vail Williams, law firm BDB Pitmans, wealth, accountancy and advisory firm Evelyn Partners and the University of Southampton Business School.

Cllr Robert Humby; Leader of Hampshire County Council, and Natalie Wigman; Assistant Director for Regeneration and Growth visit our A303 IBA Processing Facility in Hampshire

We were delighted to welcome Cllr Robert Humby; Leader of Hampshire County Council and Natalie Wigman; Assistant Director for Regeneration and Growth to our A303 IBA Processing Facility in Hampshire.  Along with a guided tour of our facility, discussions focussed on the critical role that Fortis play in ensuring that Hampshire’s household waste is transformed into low carbon construction materials that are used in road building and developments across the county.

Incinerator bottom ash (IBA) is a residual output from Hampshire’s three energy recovery facilities (Marchwood, Chineham and Portsmouth). These energy recovery facilities process the county’s non-recyclable household waste, whilst also creating 38MW of electricity annually, enough to power over 50,000 homes each year. Rather than going to landfill, the IBA produced from this process is transported to Fortis’s A303 IBA Processing Facility, where it is recycled.

Fortis IBA Ltd recover metals from the IBA which are reused worldwide to relieve the burden on mass extraction of low yielding virgin metal ores and manufacture construction aggregate called Fortistone® IBA Aggregate, which is used as a low carbon and sustainable alternative in the construction industry.

Fortistone® IBA Aggregate complies with the Specification for Highways Works 600 and 800 Series and is one of the most sustainable construction aggregates available, potentially offering substantial CO2 savings for construction projects. Its use in construction is an integral part of the collective ambitions of local authorities and industry in minimising waste and encouraging recycling, repurposing and re-use.