Insight from Tony Evans, TES 2000
Every rail project manager, infrastructure owner, and delivery partner shares the same core ambition: to build, maintain, and renew critical railway infrastructure safely, on time, and to the highest standard, without compromise.
But behind that ambition lies a complex web of operational pressure, regulatory demands, and workforce coordination challenges that can derail even the most carefully planned projects.
This is the world TES 2000 was built to navigate; and now, after 30 years of relentless focus and organic growth, the Colchester-based company has become a cornerstone of Britain’s railway infrastructure sector.
We recently sat down with Tony Evans, founder of TES 2000, and Bianca Molloy, joint managing director, to find out how, after three decades of precision, safety, and unwavering commitment to people, the company has grown to become one of Britain’s most trusted names in rail infrastructure delivery.
The Foundation of Trust in High-Risk Environments
Rail infrastructure work is unforgiving. Projects operate in live, high-risk environments where safety is non-negotiable, timelines are tight, and the margin for error is zero. Clients face constant challenges: sourcing skilled labour at short notice, managing complex possessions, coordinating multiple trades, and ensuring every team member is competent, compliant, and confident.
Tony reflected on the company’s early days with characteristic pragmatism. “We started with nothing,” he said. “No contacts, just a belief that if we did good work and treated people right, the rest would follow.”
For project leaders and delivery managers, the pressure is relentless. Every decision carries weight. Every delay has consequences. The fear of failure – missing a possession window, compromising safety, or letting a client down – creates a constant undercurrent of stress.
“We’re not just delivering work,” Bianca explained. “We’re giving people peace of mind. When a client brings us onto a project, they need to know it’s going to be done right; no surprises, no shortcuts, and no excuses.”
In an industry as critical as rail, it’s simply unacceptable that clients should have to gamble on workforce capability, safety standards, or project delivery. The railway keeps Britain moving, and its infrastructure providers should operate with the same reliability as the network itself.
TES 2000 was founded on a philosophical conviction: that doing the right thing, by clients, by employees, by the industry, should never be negotiable.
From the outset, TES 2000 has positioned itself not as a transactional supplier, but as a partner who understands the stakes.
“We’ve been there,” Bianca said. “We know what it feels like when a project is under pressure, when you’re short on resources, when you need someone you can rely on completely. That empathy drives everything we do.”
But empathy alone doesn’t build trust; credibility does. And TES 2000’s track record speaks for itself:
- 30 years of continuous operation
- Over 500 skilled operatives across track, civils, E&P, signalling, telecoms, and possession management
- Integrated training academy producing competent, confident workers ready for live railway environments
- ISO 9001, 14001, and 45001 accreditations, alongside Network Rail Principal Contractor Licence status
- Zero compromises on safety, compliance, or quality
Tony’s philosophy is simple but powerful: “If you look after your people, they’ll look after your clients. And if you look after your clients, the work keeps coming.”
TES 2000’s service model is deliberately straightforward:
- Understand the challenge – Work closely with clients to define scope, timelines, and workforce requirements.
- Deploy the right team – Match skilled, compliant operatives to the project’s specific needs.
- Deliver with confidence – Execute safely, professionally, and on time, with continuous communication and accountability.
Describing the company’s operational rigour, Bianca said: “We don’t just send bodies to site,” she said. “We send trained, mentored, assessed professionals who understand the railway, respect the risks, and take pride in their work.”
Why Choose TES2000
Choosing the wrong workforce partner can be costly, not just financially, but operationally and reputationally. Incompetent labour, poor safety culture, or unreliable delivery can derail possessions, damage client relationships, and put projects at risk.
Tony was frank about the industry’s challenges. “There are cowboys out there,” he said. “People who cut corners, who don’t invest in training, who treat workers like numbers on a spreadsheet. That approach might work short-term, but it’s a disaster waiting to happen.”
In contrast, TES 2000’s long-term client relationships, some spanning decades, demonstrate the value of partnering with a provider who takes the work as seriously as you do.
Clients who work with TES 2000 experience a tangible shift:
- From uncertainty to confidence – Projects run smoothly, safely, and predictably.
- From reactive firefighting to proactive planning – Reliable resource supply and professional execution become the norm.
- From transactional relationships to trusted partnerships – Clients gain a delivery partner who genuinely cares about their success.
Bianca summed up the company’s impact: “When we finish a project, we want clients to feel like they made the right choice. Not just that the job got done; but that it was done brilliantly.”
Founded on Values That Endure
TES 2000’s strength lies in its values, and the company has never lost sight of what matters: people, integrity, and long-term relationships.
Tony reflected on the company’s evolution with pride. “We’ve grown, but we haven’t changed,” he said. “We still care about the same things we did on day one; doing great work, treating people well, and building something that lasts.”
Bianca, who now leads the company alongside Tony, carries that philosophy forward with equal conviction. “This isn’t just a business for us,” she explained. “It’s our legacy. We want to be known as the company that always did the right thing.”
Looking Ahead: A New Era of Growth
As TES 2000 marks its 31st anniversary, the company is entering a new phase of strategic expansion; building on its reputation, investing in people, and positioning itself as a national leader in rail workforce solutions.
The railway industry faces unprecedented challenges: ageing infrastructure, capacity demands, decarbonisation, and a growing skills gap. TES 2000 is uniquely positioned to help clients navigate this complexity; not through flashy promises, but through consistent, professional delivery backed by decades of proven expertise.
“We’re not chasing growth for growth’s sake,” Bianca clarified. “We’re building capacity in the right way; sustainably, safely, and with the same commitment to quality that’s always defined us.”
The TES 2000 Story: Clarity, Consistency, and Confidence
In an industry where reliability is everything, TES 2000 has built its reputation on three unshakeable foundations:
- Clarity – Clients know exactly what they’re getting, how it will be delivered, and who will be accountable.
- Consistency – Every project, every worker, every interaction reflects the same high standards.
- Confidence – Clients trust TES 2000 to deliver—no matter how complex, urgent, or high-stakes the challenge.
As we concluded, Tony’s closing words captured the company’s ethos perfectly: “We’ve never tried to be the biggest. We’ve just tried to be the best. And that’s worked out pretty well.”
Ready to Build Your Next Project with Confidence?
Whether you’re planning your next project or simply exploring options, TES 2000 is ready to help.
For immediate projects, please contact the TES 2000 team directly to discuss your workforce requirements, project scope, and delivery timelines.
For future planning, request a capability statement or case study to understand TES 2000’s proven expertise, or arrange an introductory meeting to learn how their solutions and training academy can support your future ambitions.
Visit www.tes2000.co.uk or contact the team directly here: info@tes2000.co.uk / 01206 799111.
