In the nineties I was marketing director of Watson Steel, then owned by Amec (“Amec quits construction after £90m writedown”, 15 December, page 9).

The company, renowned for its technical brilliance, built many photogenic buildings, including Chek Lap Kok Airport in Hong Kong, the Millennium Dome and Portcullis House in Westminster.


Did Amec give enough acknowledgement to high-profile construction projects like Portcullis House?

As a result, I was asked every year to contribute a photo to Amec’s annual report. One year I received no call from head office, so I took the initiative and rang them. “No hard hats this year,” was the reply. Perhaps Amec is paying the price for ignoring its strengths?

Geoffrey Taylor, Caunton Engineering

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