Michael Fegan proud to have played a role in biggest ever refurbishment of National Portrait Gallery
“When I was given the opportunity to ‘Make My Mark’ on the National Portrait Gallery, it was an incredible moment and a chance I couldn’t pass up.”
Those are the words of Michael Fegan who was the engineer as award winning construction and fit out company, Gilbert-Ash completed the biggest refurbishment in the history of the world famous National Portrait Gallery in London.
His comments come as Gilbert-Ash launches a major new campaign to celebrate the outstanding achievements of its people and help the company attract the industry’s best talent as it seeks to cement its reputation for delivering generational projects.
Now a site manager, Fegan said his career continues to move forward with Gilbert-Ash as he looks for further opportunities to work on iconic projects.
Fegan said: “Ever since I was young, I have always had an interest in building things. With Gilbert-Ash I have been able to take this passion and build a really satisfying career.
“Working on the National Portrait Gallery really lived up to my expectations. I have been back since the project completed and it was a pleasure to be there as a visitor and watch people enjoy the gallery knowing I played a part in its transformation.
“Working on the Gallery was a pleasure, especially when you consider the history of the building and volume of priceless portraits on display there. I can’t think of too many other companies where you get the chance to work on such prestigious projects.”
He has also spoken of his pride as his career progresses at Gilbert-Ash, moving from Engineer to Site Supervisor and now Site Manager.
Fegan said: “Gilbert-Ash is a great company to work for. You get opportunities to travel, live in new cities and work on some really exciting projects. As my career has progressed, I have felt supported every step of the way.
“At Gilbert-Ash we have an ‘As One’ ethos which means we place huge importance on working as a team. This can mean different things but when it comes to career development it means you will have the support of the senior people around you and in turn you will support the people coming through.
“We lean on each other and help each other a lot, which makes for a great working environment.
“To date the National Portrait Gallery is the project I am most proud of and I’m looking forward to returning to it in 10 years and reminiscing on how I ‘Made My Mark’ there.”
Fegan is currently the site manager on Gilbert-Ash’s £26m project to redevelop Barnfield College in Luton.
The works mark the second phase of a major project to transform the existing Barnfield College into one campus with scope for future growth.
Gilbert-Ash’s contract includes the design and build of a four-storey concrete frame specialist teaching block, providing teaching spaces, staff spaces and break-out areas. In addition, the project includes landscaping, car parking and external walkways.
The new building will provide state-of-the-art facilities for the College’s construction and engineering students. It is also set to create employment opportunities with student numbers expected to rise significantly as a result of the new campus.
Gilbert-Ash’s projects have been shortlisted for the Royal Institute of British Architects’ Stirling Prize four times including the Lyric Theatre in 2012, the Giant’s Causeway Visitor Centre in 2013 and more recently in 2021 for Cambridge Central Mosque, with the Everyman Theatre in Liverpool winning the coveted award in 2014.
The firm has also been shortlisted in this year’s Building Awards in the Social Value category for their work with the community during the construction of hub by Premier Inn, Clerkenwell, London.
Gilbert-Ash managing director, Ray Hutchinson, said the company, which works across 44 different countries, is extremely proud of all the projects it has delivered to date.
He said: “Gilbert-Ash delivers projects in sectors including workplace/office, hotels & leisure, arts & culture, education, residential, student accommodation and healthcare. We also have an excellent fit-out team.
“We have already established an excellent reputation for the work we do in these sectors, but we want to continue to develop as a company, making Gilbert-Ash an employer of choice, and of course to continue to work on amazing projects.
“Our people can say their work can be viewed in the National Portrait Gallery or they have quite literally created the stage for world class musicians to deliver virtuoso performances. When you work for Gilbert-Ash you work on projects which make a difference.
“We have a unique approach to construction, fit out and refurbishment. It’s based on our belief that great buildings come about through hard work, inspired innovation and genuine collaboration.
“Our detail obsessed and creatively fearless teams have, and continue to, build more than just buildings. They build places and spaces that define communities, and our ‘Make Your Mark’ campaign underlines these efforts.
“The ‘Make Your Mark’ campaign celebrates Gilbert-Ash being one of one, not one of many.
“When you join our company you will have numerous opportunities to deliver projects which will form unique portfolios of work which you can look back on with pride and the knowledge that your contribution made a difference to project, people and the planet.
“We are inviting the best people to join us so you can ‘Make Your Mark’.”
To find out more about Gilbert-Ash visit www.gilbert-ash.com
