This year for the first time a group of head teachers came along to the Construction Manager of the Year Awards.
CIOB chief executive Chris Blythe invited them to see for themselves the sort of people it takes to make the spaces we live in.

There is no course module that covers being a great construction manager. It's not a chapter in any textbook.

People like Construction Manager of the Year Malcolm Nelson stand out because they have that extra something you can't teach.

It comes out in different ways. Nelson, for instance, was so resourceful and committed to a complex and politically charged project that he was promoted from planner to project manager.

Graham Lumberg (another Laing O'Rourke man) had the guts and panache to brief media and conduct VIP tours on top of managing the fit out of Manchester's Commonwealth Games stadium.

And highly commended John Payne of George Wimpey, who found the time to foster 130 children over the last 20 years.

These are the people who help everybody see the bigger picture… and not just see it but care about it.

These are the people you can trust with big things.

These are the people who will rebuild the industry's reputation.

Chris Blythe reported that the head teachers thoroughly enjoyed the evening. Let's hope they find a way of bringing this message to their students, that construction rewards talent and celebrates high achievement. That if they want not just a job but also a role in life that combines fair pay, contributing to society and adventure, construction has it.

Just take a look at the excellent men and women celebrated at this year's event.

See page 14 for the medallists in all categories and visit www.ciob.org.uk for details of all the finalists.

This is our final issue for 2003. Enjoy the festive season, and we'll see you again in January.

Source

Construction Manager