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We (John Rowan and Partners) would like to put Paul O’Connor forward as our #constructionhero. Back in 1999 we received a letter from Paul asking for a job and while we had no vacancies we were impressed by his pro-activity and got him in to meet us.

We feel Paul’s determination is what makes him a construction hero. After leaving school he started knocking on doors to find a job, sending out 50 letters and cold calls, attending 20 interviews and 12 assessments. Self confessed as not the most academic in school he has excelled in the workplace managing to achieve a master’s degree while working full time for us.

Paul came to us at a time when we were just starting to work on the Government’s Decent Homes programme and we feel he made a huge impact in helping to deliver better housing across London. More recently he has spent a year out in Christchurch helping to rebuild the city following the devastating Earthquakes.

14 years on, and now a Partner of the firm, Paul is still leading the way for us by mentoring the younger members of staff on the same path he has taken. It is a great example of where hard work and determination can get you.