**The big picture:** Hercules plc secured £5 million in new civil engineering contracts within the UK water sector, primarily in the Thames Water region, for projects extending into FY2027. **Why it matters:** These contracts highlight sustained demand for infrastructure services, indicating potential regional job creation and a stable outlook for skilled civil engineering roles in the UK. **Between the lines:** - The projects are part of Ofwat’s £104 billion AMP8 investment program. - Work is scheduled from Q4 FY2026 through the following six months. - Hercules is expanding its capability to self-deliver complex infrastructure projects. **Staffing & HR impact:** The new contracts will likely increase demand for skilled civil engineers and construction workers, potentially leading to recruitment drives and talent development initiatives within the sector. This also reinforces the need for robust talent acquisition strategies to meet project demands. **The bottom line:** Continued investment in regulated sectors like water utilities will drive specialized workforce needs and regional economic growth.