My way

How did you get into construction?

British Rail sponsored me through university, which confirmed a long-held suspicion that construction was key to my future career.

Biggest challenge presented by the new role?

Given the trading difficulties encountered in recent years, getting our people to feel good about themselves and the exciting challenges ahead is a major issue for the future.

Greatest influence in your professional life?

I met Peter Rogers of Stanhope many years ago and he hugely impressed on me two matters: the importance of client relationships and the difference between cost and value.

Your biggest professional achievement?

The early handover of the MI5 headquarters building to exacting qualitative and specification constraints and substantially below original cost plan projections.

Worst day at work?

On my first major project, during dockside excavation works for a multi-storey basement, what should have been an enormous hole in the ground instead resembled a boating lake surrounding partially erected tower crane masts! Record high tides had swamped the site.

Best advice you’ve received?

Work to the best of your abilities and ensure there’s fun to be had in the process.

Favourite building?

It has to be the Government Communications Headquarters – ‘the doughnut’ in Cheltenham. It has all the right attributes for a successful iconic project – signature architecture at its very best from Gensler and an innovative building form with exciting spaces.

How do you unwind?

Sports, leisure and family. Not necessarily in that order and more often than not chaotically joined up.

Would you recommend construction to friends and families?

Absolutely, it offers prospects, interest, excitement and a real opportunity to see something grow from the ground up to a lasting legacy for the future.