Paul Sims startled everybody at the awards dinner by standing up, grabbing one of the entertainers (a woman with big operatic abilities) and belting out O Sole Mio as if he did it every day. And this was even before he knew he was a medallist. Intent on getting his pound of fun, this year’s Construction Manager of the Year is clearly quite a character.

Frankly, he needed to be to deliver the job that won him the title.

By the time he parachuted into London’s Paternoster Square, morale had plummeted and the whole project looked in doubt. It was the subject of years of public wrangling and two project directors had already left, pleasing its many ill-wishers.

But Sims helped turn things around by fostering a culture of trust and accountability.

And he’s not the only one who made great things happen by drawing out the best in people. At the root of each of the CMYA medallists’ stories is an ability to lead and inspire. It’s an ability that comes out in different ways. Gary Clifford, who won a silver medal for Swiss Re tower, hired a full-time union representative to liaise with workers. And Tony Mingoia, whose new home for Staines Football Club won him a gold, delighted not just the client but also the client’s financial backers by meeting them at the airport. Some medallists led by example on technical innovation, and others by entrepreneurial flair.

CMYA stands out in the crowded world of construction awards because it’s about the people, not the things, which is apt at a time when a DTI report shows a serious “inspiration gap” in today’s construction leadership (see ‘News and views’ on page 11).

You can read all about this year’s medallists in our coverage starting on page 39. And to see details of all the 2004 finalists, visit www.cmya.co.uk.

See you next year!

Source

Construction Manager