He is one of 400 winners nationwide. It is the second year in a row he has won the award.
So how did you win (again)?
Constant monitoring and very tight control. We installed a strict quality regime from day one and the subcontractors know they have to do their best or we'll replace them, which we've had to do with some of them.
We've had some very good subbies on this job, who embraced it and worked hard for us. They appreciate us setting our stall out early and letting them know what we expect.
It's all about knowing the strengths and weakness of different subcontractors and keeping a close eye on them. I don't tell them how to do their jobs, but if the quality isn't good enough, I will make them do it again. I spend at least two hours at the end of every day, with my assistant site manager, Alan Irving, checking the quality of the subcontractor's work.
What, if any, lessons have you learned from this job?
I've become harder with people and don't give them second chances. I expect the best and if they can't achieve that then I can't work with them. There's no room to carry people. I'm quite young to be in the position I'm in so I have to be hard with people anyway to get them to take me seriously sometimes. People have walked into my office and asked to speak to the site manager, and don't believe it when I say it's me.
I don’t give second chances
Tim Lightfoot
Have you ever done anything non-construction?
Four years ago I took eight months out to work for PC manufacturer Northwood Tashika Computers as production operations manager. I worked on a project for them and they offered me a job. The money was too good to refuse. In the end it wasn't really for me, but working in a more professional environment and dealing with high-level people really honed my management skills.
What's next?
The refurbishment of a factory in Evesham, Worcestershire. We're going to convert it into luxury apartments overlooking the river.
Any advice?
Plan ahead. I used to work for a site manager who said perfect planning prevents poor performance and he was right. I've seen it happen that bricklayers arrive on site and have their bricks and mortar but no wall ties, so they can't start the job. When I ask people to come to the site to do a day's work, I make sure everything is here for them to do that. I always provide a canteen on site and make the atmosphere as good as possible so people will want to come and work here. If I can get the right tools, equipment, people and information to the right place at the right time, that's half the job done. It's all in the planning.
How did you get into construction?
My dad runs a construction firm so I've grown up with it around me. I worked for him as a teenager then did a construction management degree at Nottingham Trent University, including a year out working on site.
Thoughts on the latest award?
This is the second time and I think the standard on this job is higher than the last, because of the complex logistics involved in the refurbishment of a city centre office block with no storage space and limited access.
Source
Construction Manager
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