Bridgit Partners with Sir Robert McAlpine to Enhance Workforce Planning in UK Construction

📅 1 days ago 🏷️ Bridgit

Bridgit and Sir Robert McAlpine have formed a strategic partnership to improve workforce planning across complex construction projects in the UK, utilizing AI technology to address the industry's skilled labor shortages.

In a significant move to address the pressing challenges within the UK construction sector, Bridgit, a leading AI workforce planning software company, has announced a strategic partnership with Sir Robert McAlpine (SRM), one of the UK’s premier construction and infrastructure firms. This collaboration aims to enhance SRM’s capacity for proactive workforce planning across its extensive and complex long-term projects. The partnership was publicly revealed on May 12, 2026, marking a pivotal moment for both companies as they seek to modernize workforce management in an increasingly competitive landscape.
Founded in 1869, Sir Robert McAlpine has a storied history, providing over 150 years of service in delivering some of the most iconic construction projects in Britain. The company’s portfolio encompasses a wide range of sectors including infrastructure, industrial, commercial, healthcare, defense, and heritage. However, as the complexity of projects increases and the pipeline of major UK programs expands, SRM has recognized the necessity for a more systematic, data-driven approach to workforce management.
The construction industry in the UK and Europe is grappling with a well-documented crisis, characterized by a shortage of skilled labor, demographic shifts, and the impending retirement of seasoned professionals. Bridgit’s 2026 Construction Workforce Benchmark Report highlights these issues, revealing a median industry attrition rate of 18.7%. The turnover of senior talent is particularly concerning; with Senior Project Managers experiencing a turnover rate of only 3.6%, their departure can significantly disrupt project continuity. For contractors like SRM, retaining and effectively deploying experienced personnel is not merely a human resources challenge; it directly impacts project delivery.
Nadeem Mirza, Resourcing and Workforce Planning Director at Sir Robert McAlpine, emphasized the importance of workforce planning in their operations. "Our people are our greatest competitive advantage, and ensuring the right talent is in the right place at the right time is central to how we deliver for our clients," he stated. Through this partnership, SRM will implement Bridgit’s AI Workforce Planning platform, which is specifically designed to cater to the construction sector's unique needs. This platform will allow SRM to leverage its historical workforce data, providing insights that enhance project team assembly and management.
Bridgit's technology aims to replace traditional spreadsheet-based processes with a more structured, data-driven approach that supports proactive decision-making. The platform will enable SRM to match personnel to projects based on their skills, experience, and availability, ensuring optimal team composition. Additionally, the system will assist in aligning workforce plans with project timelines and improving visibility into team dynamics, thereby supporting the development of junior talent alongside experienced colleagues.
According to Mallorie Brodie, CEO of Bridgit, the partnership with SRM illustrates the critical nature of workforce intelligence in the construction industry. "They operate at the highest level of complexity, with programmes that span years and teams that must perform without margin for error," she noted. The collaboration is expected to position SRM advantageously amid the growing demand for construction services, particularly as the UK invests heavily in infrastructure, energy, and healthcare.
This partnership not only signals a significant advancement for SRM but also represents Bridgit’s strategic expansion into the UK and European markets. With increasing demand for structured workforce intelligence, contractors who adopt systematic workforce planning now will be better equipped to tackle the most significant construction projects of the decade. The challenges of supply chain re-shoring, energy transition infrastructure, and urban regeneration are driving substantial construction activity across Europe, yet the pool of skilled professionals is diminishing, making this partnership all the more timely and crucial.
As both companies move forward, they aim to transform workforce planning from a reactive necessity to a strategic advantage, ultimately enhancing project outcomes and operational efficiency in the construction sector.

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