More Interviews – Page 23
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FeaturesBSF special: 'a plate glass window palace doesn¹t make a good school' - Chris Woodhead, former chief inspector for schools, interviewed
Former chief inspector for schools Chris Woodhead carries a big stick (he’s broken his ankle) but you wonder if he’d rather use it to thwack all those dunces who don’t get the difference between a good school and a bit of architectural frippery. Emily Wright learns more
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FeaturesThe delivery man: Robert Napier, new chair of the Homes and Communities Agency
Can Robert Napier build 240,000 homes a year and run the new government agency in the toughest housing market since the seventies?
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Features'London doesn't have to beat Beijing, nor should it try. you have to be pragmatic and get 80% there': Countdown to 2012, David Higgins, chief executive of the Olympic Delivery Authority
David Higgins has to deliver the 2012 Olympics with a fraction of the money that China had to spend. Oh, and he has to regenerate a swath of east London at the same time. To kick off our countdown to the Games, Sarah Richardson asked him how he’s planning to ...
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FeaturesThe fixer: James Bulley, the Olympics’ troubleshooter
Ah, the London Olympics. Twenty-three venues, 15,000 athletes, 9 million visitors. What could possibly go wrong? It’s James Bulley’s job to plan for anything that does. So why is he looking so damned cool?
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FeaturesThe second coming – the Strategic Forum for Construction’s Nick Raynsford
As the Strategic Forum’s new chairman, Nick Raynsford is bent on getting the industry to comply with its targets, recently launched by his predecessor Mike Davies. But is the response likely to be any better than it was to Egan? Kate Wheal met them both to find out
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Features‘Life is just one long series of crises and disappointments’: Nick Clegg interview
But that doesn’t mean you don’t have to try to make it better. Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg thinks decentralised government, lower taxes and an end to ‘messing around’ with construction might help.Portraits by Julian Anderson
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FeaturesSweett smell of success: Cyril Sweett interview
Dean Webster and Francis Ives were the men who took Cyril Sweett public. Now they have their first set of results, and they make happy reading. Portrait by Wilde Fry
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FeaturesMeet the boss of Bouygues UK – Madani Sow
As the new boss of Bouygues UK, Madani Sow is in charge of feeding the company’s voracious appetite for acquisitions. But, as he tells Tom Bill, it demands an awful lot from those it buys
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FeaturesThe line of duty – Tim Laurence, Defence Estates
Tim Laurence has commanded warships, sailed the world and held top positions in the government. But taking the helm at Defence Estates is perhaps his greatest challenge.
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FeaturesOlympic diver Tom Daley profile
With the support of his uncle, a director at building services contractor ABS, 14-year-old diver Tom Daley hopes to make a splash at the Beijing Olympics.
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FeaturesLady Justice – Karin Woodley profile
Karin Woodley has campaigned for racial equality all her life, and now she’s backing Building’s campaign for a fairer construction industry, too. The chief executive of the Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust explains why to Emily Wright. Portrait by Dominik Gigler
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FeaturesBernard Ainsworth interview: Shard man
‘Ultimate project manager’ Bernard Ainsworth is ready to perform his next miracle on the Shard at London Bridge, and he’ll rip up the plans and start from scratch if it gets the controversial scheme completed. Roxane McMeeken went to meet him
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FeaturesSalmaan Hasan: Minerva’s city battle
Having taken a battering on the stock market, Minerva chief Salmaan Hasan is ready for a new fight – against a possible takeover.Claer Barrett reports. Portraits by Mischa Haller
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FeaturesGlasgow terrorist attack: The day I tackled a terrorist
Construction worker Stephen Clarkson was caught in the middle of a terrorist attack on Scotland. One year on, he just wants to get back to normality, and playing a part in Glasgow’s urban regeneration may be the answer. Matthew Baker meets a reluctant hero
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FeaturesJohn Lewis' Tony Jacob: Double helpings
Shopaholics will be delighted – contractors, too: John Lewis Partnership plans to double its floor space within 10 years and is looking for new firms to work with. Roxane McMeeken met Tony Jacob, aka the man with the cheque book
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FeaturesJohn Dodds: Listen carefully
A slump in private housing and a boom in the social sector – not to mention a certain OFT inquiry – have led to restructuring plans at Kier. Its normally outspoken chief executive, John Dodds, tells Tom Bill as much as he dares
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FeaturesNeil Sachdev: Want to work for Sainsbury's? First stack some shelves ...
Supermarket giant Sainsbury’s plans to spend more than £700m annually on growing its space by 10% over the next three years. But if you want to impress commercial director Neil Sachdev, you’ll need to know your way around the shop floor.
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FeaturesRob Hopkins: Eco Worrier
The era of cheap oil is over and our economic system is doomed, believes environmentalist Rob Hopkins. So is he gloomy? Not a bit of it. It’s such a tremendous opportunity.
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FeaturesBaroness Vadera: Construction minister's first interview
Three months after becoming construction minister, Baroness Vadera has already been accused of not making much of an impression. In her first interview since taking the job, the former ‘axe-wielder from the Treasury’ tells Emily Wright how she plans to be a very forceful presence in the industry indeed. Portraits ...
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Features‘Contractors are going to be right there in the spotlight with us’
As chairman of the ODA, John Armitt is charged with the unenviable task of delivering the Olympic project on time and (ahem …) on budget. And while he doesn’t shirk his own responsibility, he has a clear message for contractors: united we stand, divided we’re lumbered …