Alex has overcome a series of challenges in her life, demonstrating the drive that she now applies to supporting offender rehabilitation.
Alexandra Caston, Quantity Surveyor, Reading, UK
As a gold-medal-winning gymnast, successful lacrosse player and former RAF Air Cadet, Alex’s drive and determination is clear for all to see.
When injury ended her sporting aspirations, Alex turned her focus to her studies and a love of behavioural economics, applying the skills that helped achieve sporting glory to her new career path.
Having taken a degree apprenticeship route into construction, it was Alex’s choice of dissertation topic that ultimately led her to ISG. She gained an interest in prison structure after watching Inside the World’s Toughest Prisons, and her research into the subject found that while the number of people in UK prisons was increasing, rehabilitation rates were not. She wanted to know why, and speaking to ex-offenders struck a chord with her that more could be done.
Fast-forward to 2021 and Alex had the opportunity to join ISG as a quantity surveyor on the Ministry of Justice construction framework. Alongside her commercial role Alex expressed an interest in becoming a ‘social value champion’, making a genuine difference to people with convictions.
Alex has overcome a series of challenges in her life, demonstrating the drive that she now applies to supporting offender rehabilitation.
Having taken a degree apprenticeship route into construction, Alex’s choice of dissertation topic led her to ISG. She gained an interest in prison structure after watching Inside the World’s Toughest Prisons, and her research into the subject found that while the number of people in UK prisons was increasing, rehabilitation rates were not. She wanted to know why, and speaking to ex-offenders struck a chord with her that more could be done.
“It was good for them to feel like people were interested in what they had to say, and brought the humanity back into it,” she says. “People end up in prison for a number of reasons, and you don't know the circumstances. Some people just need support and a second chance.”
Fast-forward to 2021 and Alex had the opportunity to join ISG as a quantity surveyor on the Ministry of Justice construction framework. Alongside her commercial role on the HMP Coldingley and Maidstone projects Alex expressed an interest in becoming a ‘social value champion’, a volunteer role which provides her with the chance to make a genuine difference to people with convictions.
On quantity surveying, Alex explains: “There’s a big focus on relationship management with clients and supply chain partners, and we balance that with following contractual procedures and ensuring the project is a success commercially.”
Part of Alex’s role is to embed social value through the commercial process, seeking buy in from supply chain partners to deliver initiatives such as employment of prison leavers. In this way her work connects with her passion to make a difference to people in the criminal justice system.
ISG has worked with the MoJ across the UK justice estate since 2004, and is also part of the £1billion New Prison Programme Alliance. The new Prisons Strategy White Paper has a key focus on rehabilitation, and is helping ISG reshape its offer to add even more value.
“As a quantity surveyor, there’s a big focus on relationship management with clients and supply chain partners, and we balance that with following contractual procedures and ensuring the project is a success commercially.”
Alexandra Caston, Quantity Surveyor
By collaborating with prisons and partners, there is an opportunity to make a greater social impact, as shown by ISG’s work with Novus and HMP Liverpool to deliver a diverse construction skills and employability programme. Working in collaboration with the MoJ and our supply chain partners is critical to providing learning opportunities which best prepare candidates for entering the industry.
“Initiatives like this offer people a voice, allow us to focus on reintegration as well as rehabilitation, and give them the best opportunity to live in society again, alongside building skills,” shares Alex.
Alex’s determination developed early through her love of gymnastics, and she competed in her first competition at the age of five. From that point gymnastics was Alex’s life and she represented her country multiple times, taking home gold at the European Championships in 2010.
Unfortunately, the strain of performing at such a high level took its toll and at 15, Alex sustained a back injury which ultimately prevented her from competing as a gymnast.
Looking for the next adrenaline rush, she joined the Royal Air Force (RAF) Air Cadets, and in 2013 her Air Training Corp won the Corps Drill Championships – the highest drill award in the country. She was also keeping up her sporting ambitions and represented England at the 2016 European Lacrosse Championships, but an operation on her elbow meant she could no longer train.
After experiencing difficult setbacks and realising her sporting career was over, Alex hit a low. However, her studies helped her realise a love of behavioural economics and she started planning towards a degree in Economics and Accounting.
When her father suggested a degree apprenticeship in construction, Alex’s life took an alternative course. As someone who is driven to learn by doing, she was intrigued by the chance to gain practical experience on the job.
Life as a successful, disciplined sportsperson is reflected in the Alex we see today, and she doesn’t have any regrets about her gymnastics journey. “It was the best experience of my life and I’ll treasure it forever,” she says. “I was part of a team from the age of six and stayed with those same people until I was 15 – they were there for me when I needed them, picked me up when I was down, and helped me stay focused.
“People end up in prison for a number of reasons, and you don't know the circumstances. Some people just need support and a second chance.”
Alexandra Caston, Quantity Surveyor
“It made me who I am, a very disciplined and motivated person. When something doesn't work out, I look for a way round it, to find a solution to the problem.”
So, what’s next for Alex? She hopes to start a master’s degree in September and build on her dissertation on offender rehabilitation towards publication, while continuing to use her knowledge to maximise ISG’s social impact.
Alex’s journey to date has been full of ups and downs, but the sky has always been the limit for this rising star – and she’s proving it at ISG.
Published on the 22nd of April 2022.