RESIDENT COLUMNIST: KATIE KELLEHER


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Resident columnist Katie Kelleher's debut article identifies a positive, common theme between three recent industry events she's attended.


As I sit down to write my first column for Cranes Today, a phrase keeps catching my eye. It's printed on the Yeti bottle sitting on my desk as I write this, a souvenir from a recent visit to JCB's Hydromax event. I first heard it during a video message from Lord Bamford, saw it displayed around the venue, printed on shirts, and woven throughout the day's presentations. Never Content. Described as the Bamford family


motto, it was intended to capture the thinking behind JCB's latest engineering challenge. Yet as I reflected on the past few weeks I realised it perfectly described three very different events I had attended and, perhaps, something important about the future of our industry. The first event was the launch of the


new L Lynch and Colchester Institute Training Centre. Across construction and lifting we


regularly discuss skills shortages, ageing workforces and attracting new entrants. Those conversations are important but what stood out to me at this event was seeing investment in practical solutions. The room itself told the story. Alongside the first cohort of students were representatives from major UK infrastructure projects, including Sizewell C and the Lower Thames Crossing, all brought together by a shared understanding that developing future talent is critical to the long-term success of our industry. Presentations from Rob Lynch, joint MD of plant hire and infrastructure specialist L Lynch Plant Hire & Haulage, and Ruairi Coffey, head of sustainability and skills at L Lynch, plus representatives from North Essex vocational college Colchester Institute were full of optimism, passion, and a belief in the opportunities that construction can offer. One comment from Rob Lynch


particularly stayed with me. Speaking about the importance of training, he


described passion as something that runs throughout the business and argued that "we can't have a brilliant construction industry if we don't treat people amazingly right at the start." Rather than focusing solely on the challenges facing the sector the discussion centred on creating pathways into rewarding careers and equipping people with the skills needed to succeed. Perhaps most encouragingly, Rob highlighted that, over the last 12 months, Lynch had achieved employment outcomes of 86% for people completing publicly funded training programmes. There was also a clear emphasis


throughout the day on skills, opportunity, and social value – themes reinforced by Ruairi Coffey's passionate focus on creating pathways into the industry. As somebody who entered


construction through a career change rather than a traditional route I found that message particularly powerful. The centre represents more than a


training facility; it represents opportunity. Seeing the first students beginning that journey was a reminder that the future workforce isn't something we need to talk about... it's already arriving. The second event marked 50 years of


Ainscough Crane Hire. In today's climate, that achievement


feels particularly significant. We have seen economic uncertainty, changing markets, and increasing pressures across the sector. Reaching a half-century milestone isn't simply about longevity; it is about resilience, adaptability, and the people who have helped build and sustain a successful business over decades. At a time when we continue to see businesses across the sector facing significant challenges celebrating 50 years felt less like a milestone and more a reminder of what resilience looks like. While our industry rightly spends a lot of time looking ahead anniversaries such as this provide an opportunity to recognise the experience, expertise and


Katie at the controls at Ainscough's 50th anniversary celebrations CRANES TODAY 11


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