30 Years

What is your name?
Kurt Hartree

What is your job title?
Lead Traffic Management Operative

How long have you worked for HTM?
4 years.

Tell us about your role? What do you enjoy the most?
Providing high quality traffic management for our clients. Installing, maintaining and removing traffic management, whilst following the method statements and following HTM's values. Leading a crew in order to do this in a timely and safe manner.

The things I enjoy the most about my role is getting to know the clients, work colleagues, pedestrians and road users. We meet everyone from all walks of life. Helping all of these individuals in every way possible, from little interactions and conversations to going above and beyond to make these individuals feel valued.

First memory at HTM?
My first memory at HTM is my induction. I remember sitting in the transport office at 409. I was made to feel so welcome by the whole of the transport department. I remember sitting at Simon Barrs desk the nervous individual I was. Then the nerves just went away as the conversations went and made me feel a part of the team already.

My first day on the road, I remember being asked after I finished my workload, if I could take Keith Baldwin to get his car from the garage. Being my first official day I was so petrified to be taking the founder of the company anywhere. But what a journey that was. The laughs we had and the fact he spoke to me in such a friendly way, like we knew each other for years. It was an honour to meet the man. He made me feel so welcome.

What are the top 3 attributes that you need to succeed in your role at HTM?
To be hard working, good at communicating and having a drive to work.

What do you believe has been the key to HTM’s success over the past 30 years?
Every single person at HTM had been the key to HTM’s success. Everyone's role plays a massive part in the achievements the company has made. Without each other, HTM wouldn't be where it is today.

What are you currently looking forward to/excited about for the business?
The company hitting 30 years, to celebrate this great milestone and the achievements the business has made throughout the years.

What advice do you have for anyone considering a career in Traffic Management?
When I started HTM I had no traffic management experience what so ever. I joined, learned and grew my knowledge massively. I am so happy to be able to pass on my knowledge to other individuals too.

So my advice is, don't feel like you have to know everything about TM. You learn and progress. With hard work and dedication, you will gain the knowledge you need. Make that jump you want and go for it. You won't be disappointed.

What do you like about working in the traffic management industry?
The walks of life you see. Down to the clients, colleagues, road users, and residents. The relationships you build and the understanding of each individual's need. Also, standing back from your job, looking at the work you have completed and being proud of what you have achieved. It gives me great satisfaction.

Which of the values resonates the strongest with you and why? (Safety, Delivery, Innovation, Collaboration, Social Value, Mental Health). What does this value mean to you?
Mental health. Every single one of the values links to each other, but in order to achieve these values, your mental health needs to be at its best. Being able to support each other while at work - whether it’s job-related or home life- I feel mental health is so important. Make each other feel accepted and feel they are important and wanted. A happy workforce makes everyone works harder and enjoys their work. This in turn gives great client satisfaction and enables us to achieve the rest of the values.

What do you think people misunderstand about what you do?
The public think we do things just to annoy them, but that is not the case. We are doing our jobs, making the workers and public safe in the most convenient way we possibly can. It can be annoying with road works seem like they are here, there and everywhere and trust me, us Traffic Management Operatives have the same feeling sometimes. But in order to fix your road, have events etc, a slight inconvenience will be worth it in the end.

What’s your favourite memory or proudest moment while working at HTM?
Helping start the Pride movement in HTM by suggesting to management that we take part in Birmingham Pride Parade. Making the community feel more welcome within the industry. We have done this for 3 consecutive years. Each year has gotten bigger and better. Being able to say I helped start that is a great achievement and it creates memories for not only the people involved in the parade, but for the public too. Make the Pride community feel that they are accepted and welcome within traffic management.

What do you think makes HTM such a great place to work?
The individuals working here. Everyone is unique and different in the own ways. It make HTM feel so welcoming.

Best piece of advice you've been given whilst at HTM?
"Be You!" Being able to be myself at work makes me feel so happy and makes me enjoy coming to work.

Is there a message you'd like to share on this business milestone?
Congratulations, 30 whole years. To be a part of celebrating 30 is a pleasure. Here to another 30 years. Keith would be so proud and his legacy will always be with us all.