Fools rush in

Candid camera

Who says construction isn’t glamorous? Mace has just won the chance, courtesy of a charity auction, to appear in OK! – the weekly glossy magazine for celebrity watchers everywhere. OK! is sending its scandal-sensitive reporters and snappers to cover Mace’s Christmas party in all its glory. Staff might want to think twice before getting into any compromising situations on the dancefloor – our industry and one-and-a-half million OK! magazine readers will be watching.

Enforcing the follow-on

Perhaps inspired by how the Australians are overhauling the the England cricket team at the moment, I hear that their compatriots at Bovis Lend Lease are planning a further shake-up of its UK management structure. Apparently, Murray Coleman, the chief executive, is looking for a new head honcho to manage the northern division and possibly act as his deputy chief executive. Watch this space.

Fools and horses

The problems with Ascot’s grandstand have been reported but John Doyle chairman Stef Stefanou had a different problem at the racecourse recently. Wanting to entertain some business associates, Stefanou hired a box, complete with champagne buffet and waiters. Alas, the apparent cluelessness of the service staff meant Stefanou was obliged to hand out the champagne and canapes himself. He’ll be hoping for more success the next time he goes to the races – he’s just bought himself a racehorse.

Naming and shaming

The first thing to do when working on a new project, all management consultants will tell you, is learn the names of the people you are working with. Unfortunately, culture secretary Tessa Jowell hasn’t heeded this advice and insisted on calling the delivery partner consortium CML – as opposed to CLM – all the way through last week’s highly-charged select committee meeting on the Olympics budget. Many sniggers later, an embarrassed colleague had to not-so subtly lean over and correct his boss.

Legal negligence

Sir Will Alsop has won this year’s Barbara Miller Award from the Forum for the Built Environment, according to top law firm Pinsent Masons. Unfortunately for Pinsent Masons, Alsop has not actually received a knighthood, but whether the famously rebellious architect will sue for libel is not yet known.

Festive cheers

With Christmas just around the corner, most of us are gearing ourselves up for some onerous present buying, but consultant EC Harris has a much bigger task on its Christmas to-do list. The company is charged with making sure that the Trafalgar Square Christmas tree reaches its destination from Norway, then it has to erect and dress it. The lights on the tree are set to be turned on next Thursday – let’s hope none are on the blink after a year in storage. That kind of thing can seriously dent a reputation.