A Surge in Investment and Infrastructure Ambition



On 25 November 2025, the UK government approved the plan by Heathrow Airport to move ahead with a third runway, part of a wider £33 billion expansion package aimed at “unlocking growth, connectivity, trade and tourism” for Britain. The Guardian+2GOV.UK+2
At Intersect Global, we recognise the clear business rationale behind this decision. But we also believe strongly in responsible, sustainable business, so we must acknowledge the serious environmental trade-offs and why this new runway may represent a dilemma for the future.
With expanded capacity, Heathrow can dramatically increase the number of flights, routes, and passenger throughput — connecting UK businesses to global markets faster and more directly. This opens up new opportunities for trade, partnerships, global expansion, and international mobility. GOV.UK+2Heathrow Airport+2
Proponents also point to significant job creation — from construction through to long-term airport and service roles as well as broader economic ripple effects for logistics, tourism, hospitality, exports/imports, and related supply-chains. GOV.UK+2Heathrow Airport+2
A modernised airport infrastructure with additional runway capacity stands to reduce delays, improve schedule reliability, and increase efficiency for airlines and freight. That translates into better service reliability for business travellers, suppliers, international customers and smoother global operations. Heathrow Airport+2The Guardian+2
As a global hub, an expanded Heathrow could help the UK strengthen its position as a business and commerce hub. For businesses working internationally including those in tech, services, and trade, improved connectivity makes doing business with the UK more attractive.
For many organisations, this translates to potential growth, increased access to talent, easier supply-chain and client travel, and enhanced global competitiveness.
A third runway is projected to dramatically increase flights with estimates suggesting annual emissions could rise by around 4.4 million tonnes of CO₂. CIEH+2The Independent+2
This increase undermines efforts to meet the UK’s legally binding climate targets and conflicts with broader commitments on emissions reduction and net-zero goals. The Guardian+2The Guardian+2
Expansion will not only increase carbon emissions, it will also significantly worsen noise pollution and lower air quality for communities around Heathrow. Aircraft noise could affect hundreds of thousands more people, while more flights and associated traffic will worsen air pollution. The Guardian+2Labour Hub+2
Local residents face potential displacement, increased health risks, and a decline in quality of life, all in the name of growth. Labour Hub+2The Independent+2
Several environmental groups and climate-policy experts warn that expanding airport capacity while demand for air travel grows threatens to derail the UK’s net-zero and climate-target ambitions. euronews+2Politico+2
Moreover, relying on future technologies — such as sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) to offset environmental damage remains uncertain. Critics highlight that SAF production and use are currently limited, and may not deliver the promised carbon reductions at scale. CIEH+2Politico+2
For companies like Intersect Global and for businesses more widely, increased connectivity and growth potential are appealing and sometimes necessary. Yet, that opportunity comes at a real cost to our climate, communities, and future sustainability.
This expansion forces organisations and stakeholders to confront a difficult question: “Can economic ambition and global competitiveness justify pushing our environmental limits?”
In a world where climate change and environmental degradation are increasingly urgent, the answer may not be straightforward, especially when alternative strategies (sustainable logistics, remote collaboration, regional airport investment, greener travel technologies) exist but receive less attention.
At Intersect Global, we believe that growth and sustainability don’t have to be opposites. Here’s how businesses can approach the situation with integrity:
We recognise the economic logic of expanding Heathrow: more capacity, better connectivity, job creation, global business access.
But we urge decision-makers and business leaders to treat this not as a zero-sum trade but as a challenge to embed sustainability and responsibility into every part of business strategy.
Because long-term business success depends on long-term environmental stability.
At Intersect Global, we work closely with Quantity Surveyors at every stage of their careers—from Assistant QS to Commercial Director. One thing we see consistently across the profession is the pressure to deliver: tight deadlines, complex commercial requirements, intense reporting cycles and stakeholder demands that never stop.

This is why National Self-Care Week is so important for our industry. It’s a reminder that while the work QSs do is critical, your wellbeing is equally essential to long-term professional success.
This year’s theme, “Choosing Self-Care for Life”, couldn’t be more relevant. Sustainable commercial leadership starts with sustainable personal practices.
Quantity Surveyors operate at the centre of cost, risk, change, commercial strategy and contractual compliance. The workload can be intense:
These demands make QSs more susceptible to stress, burnout, overworking and poor work–life balance.
National Self-Care Week is a chance to pause and re-evaluate the habits that protect your wellbeing and performance.
The QS workload is often reactive. Inbox overload is real. Building boundaries—switching off after hours where feasible—prevents burnout and improves decision-making.
Month-end and period-end are high-pressure periods. Short breaks help maintain accuracy and reduce errors when you’re deep in CVRs or final accounts.
A lot of QS work is desk-based. Even a 10-minute walk resets concentration levels and boosts problem-solving clarity.
Commercial teams are lean. When pressures build, raising concerns early isn’t negativity—it’s professionalism. It prevents missed deadlines and protects both you and the project.
Many QSs work towards APC, internal promotions, or stepping into leadership roles. Seeking guidance is a strength that accelerates growth and reduces stress.
Rested QSs are sharper, more analytical and more commercially aware. Your performance improves significantly when you take genuine downtime.
Healthy commercial teams perform better. Employers play a vital role by:
When QS’s feel supported, accuracy goes up, risk reduces, and commercial outcomes improve.
At Intersect Global, we understand the unique pressures faced by Quantity Surveyors. We support your career holistically, not just by matching you to roles, but by helping you build long-term, sustainable success.
National Self-Care Week is a powerful reminder:
You can’t deliver commercially outstanding projects if you’re running on empty.
Wellbeing isn’t optional; it’s part of being an effective commercial professional.
This week, we encourage every QS, from graduate to commercial lead—to choose at least one self-care habit to carry forward. A thriving QS is a high-performing QS, and that benefits projects, teams and careers across the industry.

As the month of October invites us to pause, reflect and celebrate, we at Intersect Global recognise that Black History Month is more than a moment, it is a movement. This month is a dedicated time to honour the resilience, creativity and leadership of Black individuals and communities across the UK and beyond. In the words of the UK theme for 2025 “Standing Firm in Power and Pride”. University of London
At Intersect Global, we believe in turning that sentiment into action.
What this means for us:
How we’ll mark the month:
This is our invitation: join us in celebrating the myriad achievements of Black communities and in reflecting on how we individually and organisationally can contribute to a future where equity isn’t optional, but expected.
To our colleagues, clients, candidates and partners: thank you for your contribution. Together, let’s stand firm in power and pride, not just this month, but all year round.
At Intersect Global, we’re committed to making sustainability part of everything we do. That includes not only how we deliver projects, but also how we manage our digital presence. Recently, we ran our website through Ecograder, an independent tool that measures the environmental impact of websites by assessing performance, efficiency, user experience, and hosting. Here’s what we learned and how we plan to improve.

Even at a modest traffic level (1,000 page views), our homepage generates 660 grams of CO₂, roughly the same as driving a petrol car about 2 miles.
Green Hosting: Our hosting provider scores 100/100, meaning our servers are powered entirely by renewable energy. Hosting alone can account for up to 30% of a website’s emissions, so this is an excellent foundation.
Accessibility & UX Design: The site scores well (97/100 for accessibility and 92/100 for search optimisation), ensuring users can quickly find information and interact efficiently.
Page Weight Efficiency: At 1.95 MB, our homepage is 12% smaller than the average web page — a positive step towards reducing unnecessary digital load.
The internet is responsible for around 3.7% of global greenhouse gas emissions — roughly equivalent to the airline industry. Every page view has a carbon cost, and as our business grows, so does our responsibility to keep that footprint as small as possible.
By improving site performance, not only do we reduce emissions, we also:
Based on this report, we’ll be taking action in three areas:
This Ecograder report gives us a valuable benchmark. While our score of 73/100 shows we’re already ahead of many websites, the E rating reminds us there’s still much work to do. By continuing to refine our digital presence, we’re making sure that sustainability runs through every part of Intersect Global from our projects to our pixels.

At Intersect Global, we believe that inclusion isn’t just a nice-to-have — it’s essential. Every person deserves to feel seen, valued, and supported. That’s why this year’s National Inclusion Week (15-21 September 2025), with the theme “Now Is the Time”, resonates so strongly with us. It’s a call to action: to move beyond intention and make inclusion real in everything we do.
We live in times that are challenging in many ways — economic pressures, social change, and shifting norms are putting inclusion efforts under the spotlight. It would be easy to delay meaningful action, but delays perpetuate disadvantage. “Now Is the Time” challenges us to:
We see inclusion as more than a policy — it’s part of our culture, our purpose, and our promise to our people, our partners, and our clients.
At Intersect Global, we’ve been on this journey for some time. Here are some of the things we currently do, and what we’re working on:
Anyone reading this, whether you’re part of Intersect Global, a partner, or just interested in inclusion, can take meaningful steps this week:
National Inclusion Week is just one week — but what we do in that week should ripple out beyond it. At Intersect Global, “Now Is the Time” isn’t just a tagline for September; it’s how we aim to work every day. We commit to ongoing learning, to listening more deeply, and to making structural changes where needed.
If inclusion matters to you too, join us this week in action, in conversation, and in commitment. Because when people feel they belong, everything changes: performance improves, innovation thrives, and we all move forward together.
About Intersect Global
Intersect Global specialises in executive search across commercial and technical civil engineering. Our commitment to inclusion shapes the way we hire, support, and partner for us, inclusion isn’t separate from work, it’s central to it.

10 September 2025
Each year on 10 September, communities worldwide come together for World Suicide Prevention Day—a powerful reminder that when we act with courage, empathy, and unity, lives can be saved. Established in 2003 by the International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP) in collaboration with the World Health Organization, this day has become a global rallying point to spotlight the prevention of suicide and the value of every life World Health OrganizationWikipedia.
The triennial theme for 2024–2026—“Changing the Narrative on Suicide”—asks us to shift from silence, misunderstanding, and stigma toward openness, empathy, and meaningful support World Health OrganizationIASP+1.
What does this mean in practice?
As an organisation rooted in global empathy and action, Intersect Global stands committed to shifting this narrative—through awareness, advocacy, and accessible support.
Whether you’re an individual, organisation, or policymaker, there’s a role for you:
At Intersect Global, we envision a world where:
Remember: this isn’t just about one day. World Suicide Prevention Day is a catalyst, a reminder that every day, across every corner of the world, we have the power to change the narrative and save lives.

For many of us, summer is a welcome chance to pause, recharge, and step away from the everyday pressures of work. But after a well-earned break, getting back into the office or onto site can feel daunting. At Intersect Global, we know that transition well and we’ve put together some practical ways to make the return to work smoother, more productive, and even enjoyable.
Don’t feel pressured to achieve everything in your first week back. Start with the essentials: clear your inbox, prioritise key tasks, and focus on regaining momentum. Breaking larger projects into smaller, achievable goals helps build confidence and keeps you on track.
Summer often means staggered holidays, so take time to catch up with colleagues and share updates. A quick coffee or team catch-up helps rebuild collaboration and creates a positive environment to tackle upcoming challenges together.
That relaxed mindset you enjoyed on holiday doesn’t need to disappear. Try carrying some of those habits into your workday, whether it’s taking a proper lunch break, going for a short walk, or making time for activities outside work. Work-life balance isn’t just good for wellbeing, it fuels long-term productivity.
Coming back with a clear head is the perfect chance to review how you work. Are there processes you could improve? New skills you’d like to develop? A post-summer return is a great time to reset goals and bring fresh energy to projects.
It might sound counterintuitive, but looking forward to your next holiday can actually boost motivation. Having time off in the diary helps you pace yourself and maintain focus throughout the year.
Returning to work after summer doesn’t have to mean losing that sense of energy and perspective you gained while away. With the right mindset and a few small adjustments you can step back into your role feeling refreshed, motivated, and ready to take on new challenges.
At Intersect Global, we support professionals across construction, civil engineering, and infrastructure to find roles where they can thrive. If you’re considering your next move this autumn, our team would be happy to help.
As passionate advocates for environmental sustainability, Intersect Global is proud to observe National Marine Week—a dedicated time to celebrate and protect the world’s incredible marine ecosystems.
Marine environments are vital to the health of our planet. They support a diverse array of species, regulate climate, and provide essential resources for communities worldwide. However, these vital ecosystems face numerous threats, including pollution, overfishing, and climate change. It’s more important than ever that we take action to safeguard our oceans for future generations.
At Intersect Global, we believe in raising awareness and fostering responsible practices to protect our marine environments. Throughout National Marine Week, we encourage individuals, organisations, and policymakers to get involved—whether that’s through reducing plastic waste, supporting sustainable fishing, or participating in local conservation initiatives.
We are committed to promoting innovative solutions and collaborative efforts to preserve our oceans. To learn more about our initiatives and how you can contribute, visit us at www.intersectglobal.co.uk.
Join us in celebrating the beauty and importance of our oceans. Together, we can make a difference and ensure that our marine ecosystems thrive for generations to come.
#NationalMarineWeek #MarineProtection #SustainableOceans #IntersectGlobal
