The firm’s director on his 23 years helping Pexhurst to grow, why you should not rest on your laurels – but not take yourself too seriously – and what happens every time he loses his iPhone
Why did you choose construction as a career?
I think it’s more accurate to say that construction found me. Before Pexhurst I had started to build a career in the automotive industry but the aspects of my job I enjoyed the most – defining target clients and building relationships – were skills I saw as being highly transferrable. I had a conversation with Martin, our managing director, and the rest is history.
What are you most proud of in your career to date?
In the 23 years since joining Pexhurst, we have gone from a small contractor to a well-established medium-sized company. Being a part of that growth, and helping it change and evolve to fit the market we were operating in at any given time, has given me great satisfaction.
What has been the biggest challenge of your career to date?
By far the most challenging time for all in the construction industry was the covid-19 pandemic. With a big marketing and business development aspect to my role, I had to find creative ways to keep in touch with people when it felt like everyone and everything was closed off.
If you could change one thing about the industry, what would it be?
That as an industry we send fewer emails! If it was down to me there would be a limit on how many we could send or receive in one day. I would much rather we spoke on the phone or met in person more.
What is the most helpful advice you have been given?
One piece of advice which has followed me throughout my career, and been repeated by many people I have worked with and admired, is “you’re only as good as your last job”.
Name your favourite building in the world?
Gare do Oriente, also known as Lisbon Oriente train station. A simple yet effective structure that feels like it could take flight at any moment.
Which famous building do you most dislike?
Balfron Tower in Poplar, London.
Which famous building do you wish you had worked on?
The Marina Bay Sands hotel in Singapore – you only have to look at it to understand that one.
What single piece of advice would you give to someone starting out in your profession?
Be a sponge. Take in as much information as you can from as many different people as possible.
Who do you most admire in the construction industry?
The designers and engineers behind the Eiffel Tower, who created something so different from everything else around it. That was the case in 1889 and still holds true today.
What is it like being you (and doing your job)?
I spin a lot of plates – both in my work and my family life – so no two days are the same. Whether I am working on a PQQ, winning new clients, sitting on a mentor review for our apprenticeship scheme, working with our team to improve the website or staying on top of accreditations, I am constantly building trust and managing expectations with both our clients and the Pexhurst team.
Do you have a life philosophy?
Not so long ago I realised that at times we all have a habit of taking ourselves, our lives and our jobs too seriously. There is a big difference between caring about – and being good at – your job and making it your life. Maybe that’s just me getting older!
What do you think your best quality is?
I like to think I’m a great listener. I strive to strike the balance between making people feel heard and giving them an unbiased view and advice when they ask for it.
What trait do you most dislike in yourself? And in other people?
I can be a perfectionist. I find it hard to let things go and accept that I have given it my best shot.
I find it really rude when people don’t listen or are obviously disinterested. We owe it to each other to give everyone the time and respect we would expect in return.
Name three things that you like
Iberico Belotta ham (five years matured), my family and seeing children or adults with special needs achieve milestones.
Tell us about a secret skill that we don’t know you have
I’ve lost my iPhone six times in the past 10 years, but that’s more careless than skillful. The skill is that I have had them returned every time.
Maybe some people would call that luck but I can’t say I’ve felt all that lucky when stood at a train driver’s front door after he called me, or paying £90 for a taxi to return from south London with my phone in the back seat. The most memorable has to be the time I met someone down a back alley in Erith with £20 and two bottles of wine… There may have been a degree of luck on that occasion.
What is your most prized possession?
My two daughters.
Early bird or night owl?
Both, or maybe neither. I can adapt and adjust to be both!
What is your favourite food?
I can’t think of anything better than sitting around a table sharing a variety of tapas dishes. I love having the opportunity to try lots of different things rather than being limited to one dish.
What would your superpower be?
Mind control, but only to make good things happen – whether that be pushing people towards the right decision or encouraging them to do good.
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