Balfour Beatty’s Roger Frost remembers a champion of construction excellence who worked on major projects including Hinkley Point C.
Charlotte Neilson was not just a colleague or a friend – she was a force of nature. A pioneer in the construction industry, she broke barriers, challenged norms, and left a legacy that will continue to shape the built environment and the people within it for generations to come.
I first met Charlotte during the construction of Birmingham Hospital. From the outset, it was clear she was someone special: a focused, determined woman who had chosen to enter a field that, at the time, was overwhelmingly male-dominated. While there were a few women in the industry, very few stepped into the front line, managing teams and driving projects forward. Charlotte did just that, and more.
To succeed in such an environment required more than technical skill. It demanded resilience, humour, passion, and the courage to stand firm. Charlotte embodied all of these qualities. She didn’t just survive in the industry; she thrived, and in doing so, she paved the way for others to follow.
Pursuit of quality
Her leadership style was defined by integrity and a relentless pursuit of quality. Whether managing complex hospital builds or navigating the challenges of infrastructure projects, Charlotte brought a firm hand and a clear moral compass. These traits carried into her personal life, where she faced her battle with cancer with the same strength and determination. She never let it define her, and she never let it slow her down.
Professionally, Charlotte’s contributions were immense:
- Birmingham Hospital – A 137,000 sq m district general hospital with over 1,200 beds and 30-plus operating theatres. Charlotte led one of the ward towers, helping to shape a facility that now serves thousands.
- RAF Lyneham – The transformation of a former RAF airfield into a training centre for the Royal Engineers, where Charlotte played a key role in the external works.
- Dumfries and Galloway Hospital – Built into the hillside of South Scotland, where Charlotte led the ward construction under some of the toughest conditions imaginable.
- Clatterbridge Cancer Centre, Liverpool – A cutting-edge cancer treatment facility where Charlotte oversaw specialist care areas and managed the complex handover process.
- Hinkley Point C – The UK’s first nuclear power station in over 50 years. Charlotte contributed to the Avonmouth site, laying the groundwork for the massive cooling water tunnels at the heart of the project.
Charlotte was a first-rate project manager and CIOB member, a mentor, a trusted teammate. She took no nonsense – titles meant little to her if the work wasn’t right. Her loyalty was unmatched; she even left companies to support colleagues she believed in. Her focus on quality and the end user was unwavering, and her ability to inspire those around her was profound.
Humour and leadership
She also had a lighter side. Many of us remember the infamous water main incident – pipes laid, buried, leaked, and dug up again in a seemingly endless loop. It was a nightmare at the time, but Charlotte’s humour and leadership helped the team push through. It’s a story we now tell with a smile, a testament to her ability to lead through adversity.
Outside of work, Charlotte was passionate about the outdoors. Horse riding, skiing, walking, and her beloved mobile home were frequent topics of conversation. These were not just hobbies – they were expressions of her zest for life.
Charlotte’s legacy is not just in the buildings she helped create, but in the people she inspired. Her impact is visible in the hospitals that care for thousands, in the engineers she mentored, and in the countless lives she touched.
We are not here to say goodbye, but to say thank you – for her life, her work, and her friendship. Charlotte, rest in peace knowing that your legacy lives on in every project, every colleague, and every life made better by your presence.
Charlotte Neilson, 11 March 1975 – 8 December 2024.
Roger Frost is senior projects director for Balfour Beatty Major Projects on the Hinkley Marine Works. He was Construction Manager of the Year 2011.
