“I’d already experienced Wilson Bowden Developments through my previous job working for a major contractor. But I was keen to join the company itself – the fact that they were a developer as well as a contractor really appealed to me. Here, I’ve found the opportunity to be involved in the whole project and contribute at every stage.
"At the moment I’m heading up two teams; about 140 people in total. One of the teams is constructing 120,000 sq ft building – the other a 90,000 sq ft one. It’s quite a task. I head up senior site managers, site managers, engineers, surveyors and construction workers – and that takes a good deal of organisation, decisiveness, listening skills and the ability to negotiate.
"The biggest challenges of the role? Co-ordinating our designers and architects, and making sure the solutions they offer are cost effective without taking away their flair and creativity. You have to think with budgets in mind, but sometimes that means being more imaginative, not less. Also, maintaining deadlines is a huge part of the job – so many factors need to be managed so that a project gets delivered. It’s a good feeling when a contract is completed and it’s exactly what the client wanted.
"There’s a sense that there’s much more that can be achieved now we’re part of a FTSE 100 company. We’re moving in the right direction. Generally, there’s every opportunity for us to grow stronger in the marketplace, meaning there’ll be more room for people to develop at every level. I’m looking forward to the opportunity to be involved in even bigger and more challenging contracts. I’d like my future projects to be iconic, landmark buildings that I can look back on with real pride. The way things are going it’s a real possibility.”