Recognise any of these faces?
1 Derek Fothergill
Kier Scotland’s new managing director joins the contractor after six years as MD of Robertson Construction Central. Fothergill has been in the industry practically all his life – he started out on a joinery apprenticeship with John Laing straight from school and spent 18 years with the firm. Regarding his new role he says: “We’ve good people, a good strategy, and I’m looking forward to being part of Kier’s successful future.”
2 Rachel Johns
Based at its Norwich office, Johns has joined Bluestone as framework manager. She will be responsible for developing the existing relationships between Bluestone and NPS Property Consultants and Norfolk County Council, building on the experience gained in commercial posts with both Morrison Construction and May Gurney.
Johns’ key projects include a £7m school extension and a £4.1m project to build a new primary school.
3 Richard Madeley
Coventry-based GAJ Construction’s new business development manager will work across both the construction and building fabric services divisions. Madeley will head up GAJ Group’s sales and marketing department as the company continues to focus on medium-sized, new build contracts across both private and public sectors. He joins from Lichfield-based Linford Group.
4 Tim Lightfoot
Chase Homes has appointed Lightfoot as construction director. He joins after nine years at Kings Oak in Meriden, west midlands. Lightfoot will oversee all construction sites with the task of enhancing efficiency across the board.
Also climbing the ladder...
Dovehouse Interiors has appointed two project managers, Jean-Paul Warren and John Laing. Warren brings expertise in the educational sector, Laing is a specialist in offices.
Como, Mace’s special projects contracting subsidiary, has strengthened its Como Homes team with the appointment of divisional director, Neal Hunt.
EIC has established the post of associate director to support the current board of directors with Barry Horsley, Darren Parrish, and Paul Fitzpatrick taking up the positions.
CIOB member Brian Betts is Brett Construction’s new contracts manager where he’ll get involved in the tender process and lead a number of projects.
How did you get started?
I studied industrial engineering at college. I didn’t want to work in a factory, so I chose civil engineering.
Greatest influence in your professional life?
Doug Blythe, construction director at Y J Lovell. He assigned my first project as site number one.
Best day at work?
A good day means returning to a project and finding the end user enjoying a facility I had some part in constructing.
Worst day at work?
Returning to site after the 1987 hurricane to see two weeks’ worth of work destroyed overnight. A second floor deck had been prepared for concrete and it had been lifted up like a paper plate.
Favourite project you’ve worked on?
Channel Tunnel. This was a must for my CV at the time.
Best advice you’ve received?
“Completion on time is the biggest single profit protecting factor.” (Bob Hamblyn, one time MD of Crispin & Borst)
Favourite world building?
The Empire State Building: like Concord, it was ahead of its time.
Would you recommend construction to your kids?
Today, yes. Some 10-15 years ago I wouldn’t have. There’s more scope now for future generations.
What do you do to unwind?
I play golf and take the occasional exotic holiday.
Source
Construction Manager
