All Interviews articles – Page 20
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FeaturesRick Willmott: ‘Get ready for the recession’
Rick Willmott, head of Willmott Dixon, says the downturn has yet to really hurt the large contractors. And those that persist in bidding below cost are taking the biggest gamble
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FeaturesJohn Drew: The new power house
For years, John Drew has been best known as the architect who advised on the masterplan for Battersea Power Station. Now he’s joined forces with Jack Pringle and has a possible £300m worth of schemes on the horizon. Emily Wright finds him in bullish mood
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FeaturesBest of British: Nigel Webb of British Land
In construction’s current competitive climate, talk of new activity and large-scale development is what everyone is listening out for. British Land’s head of development, Nigel Webb, certainly has something to say.
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FeaturesMadani Sow: Why it’s great to be in Britain
Innovation in business practice and access to wider markets make Britain a good place for a French contractor to be, says the boss of Bouygues UK. And then there is the opportunity for more acquisitions
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FeaturesRobert Deatker: High flyer
Turner & Townsend’s Robert Deatker is the man responsible for ensuring the smooth delivery of one of the UK’s most mind-bogglingly complex schemes - the 2 million ft2 London Bridge Quarter, which includes the 310m Shard. And he’s determined to pull it off
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FeaturesBest foot forward: Interview with Graham Cash
Most UK contractors are busily diversifying to survive. Not so with BAM Construct, the UK’s third biggest contractor - its boss is determined to stick with what it’s good at: construction
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FeaturesBear necessities: interview with Mike Bear, Lord Mayor of London
Mike Bear, the new Lord Mayor of London, doesn’t intend to spend his year in office admiring the soft furnishings. He has 700 speeches to deliver, 23 countries to visit, and a plan to restore the City’s status as a world leader in development. And he still hopes to find ...
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FeaturesJonathan Goring: The incredible jumping man
It’s not many firms that think government cuts are a good thing for their business, but Capita Symonds boss Jonathan Goring wants the outsourcing that comes with them to help him leapfrog his competitors
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FeaturesKulveer Ranger: The London mayor’s transport adviser
Cuts to the tube upgrade, renegotiated contracts on Crossrail, delays to major transport projects … who’d be transport adviser to London’s mayor? Well, Kulveer Ranger is and he’s confident he is on the right track
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FeaturesView from on high: ISG's Darren Hill
Tough times these may be for specialists, but many have worked out survival strategies. Here, Darren Hill, UK manager of ISG, the UK’s top fit-out specialist, talks to David Rogers about his plans to stay on top.
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FeaturesHammerson's Vinod Thakrar: Think I’ll bite?
Time was when some contractors found Hammerson such an exacting client, they steered clear. Now Vinod Thakrar, the man in charge of its supply chain, has them lining up to talk to him. Luckily for them, he’s after fresh blood
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FeaturesDave Sheridan: His friends in the north
A year ago Dave Sheridan suddenly found himself thrust to the top of property services group, Apollo. Once he’d got over the shock he set out on a high-risk strategy of shifting the business away from London to the northern regions
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FeaturesDan Labbad: Aussie Rules
The arrival of Bovis Lend Lease’s new boss sparked rumours about the company’s future. Now, after a long silence, Labbad reveals his plans for one of the UK’s best known contractors.
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FeaturesWilkinson Eyre: Twin peaks
Ten years ago Building interviewed a young architectural practice called Wilkinson Eyre. A decade and two Stirling prizes later, we return to ask its principals how it feels to become part of the design establishment - and on the top of their game.
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FeaturesMark Whitby: Many happy returns
When Mark Whitby retired last year, everyone but him knew it wouldn’t last. But after a year working on his garden, he’s finally seen the light … Emily Wright met him as he prepared to open his new venture
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FeaturesInterview with WSP's Paul Dollin: Cheer leader
Paul Dollin, WSP’s enthusiastic new UK boss, has no intention of ’waking up American’. So the former Atkins man intends to grow the UK business by pushing even harder into infrastructure, particularly rail and nuclear. Just don’t expect to see any more Shards going up
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FeaturesMark Prisk: He’s no guru, but Prisk aims to enlighten us anyway
New construction minister wants to simplify procurement, clarify planning and expand markets
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FeaturesAfter Kieron: Campaigning for better site safety
Monday 9 August 2004 is a date Jennifer Deeney will never forget. It was when her husband Kieron died in an accident on a construction site - 13 weeks after they were married. Since then she’s been campaigning for better site safety - and a calendar of naked women ...
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FeaturesHanif Kara: They said ‘stay weird’, so he did
Hanif Kara has a reputation for inventiveness and eccentricity, but he has soberly steered his engineering firm through a merger with White Young Green and a recession. He tells Emily Wright about the need to make difficult decisions.
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FeaturesDavid Penfold on Sainsbury’s waste strategy
David Penfold is a driven man: he has to cut Sainsbury’s waste to as close to zero as possible. And given the amount of activity that the store engages in, he needs good ideas and even better suppliers.