From stage theatre, to the operating theatre

Myself and my background

A chartered Quantity Surveyor by profession, I graduated at Nottingham Trent University and still live in the county with my wife and family.

Following my early career as a young footloose surveyor working on projects across the South East, I joined Simons Construction in Lincoln as a Design and Build Commercial Manager. At the time nobody in the company understood the procurement route of Design and Build and with an in-house development team, I quickly had to get to grips with such terms as Agreements to Lease, Heads of Terms and Contractor’s Proposals. In addition, negotiations with a myriad of project stakeholders from local authorities, landowners, tenants and legal teams taught me the importance of understanding the business requirements of others in the successful delivery of a project.

It was in 2002 that I was challenged by the board to explore how the business could respond to a new to market, Department of Health public sector capital works framework called Procure 21. In 2003 Medicinq; a special purpose vehicle with four shareholder contractors was created. Securing a position on the framework later that year the business went onto successfully deliver acute, primary and mental healthcare facilities for numerous NHS Trusts throughout England.

In recent years I have continued to work in the health sector as an account manager. Most recently in the West Midlands and Oxford on estates master planning and fire upgrade activity.

Why I decided to join ISG?

A company restructure stimulated me searching for a new career challenge that would enable me to continue to use my skills in the health sector. In particular, working with healthcare providers to understand their need and develop their business case through the early stages of a project.

I had knowledge of ISG but didn’t know too much about the size or structure of the company. Research and references from my contacts in construction was invaluable, as these gave me a good insight as to the company’s core values and guiding principles, in particular its progressive dream-smart thinking.

I am passionate about my role as a solution provider for healthcare customers, construction is a means to providing that solution. In my discussions with ISG Senior Management early this year, I was enthused by the commitment to further grow their sector strength in healthcare. In particular, through the use of state-of-the-art technology to not just develop the facilities themselves, but to run them for maximum efficiency well into the future.

What were your first impressions?

To join a business during a pandemic has been a unique experience. Suppressing the instinctive shaking of hands was not too challenging with the majority of the team working remotely! I’ve been really impressed by the widespread embracing of new ways of working and availability of technology. Everyone I have met both remotely and in person have been really welcoming and professional.

The one thing that has impressed me the most is the willingness to listen and respect opinion. Senior management have demonstrated the right balance of support between encouragement and challenge, that empowers the health sector team to win work and deliver.

What you are currently working on

I am working with the Healthcare Lead, David Broderick, in finalising our business plan and delivery strategy for the health. This includes our bid for the Department of Health’s capital works framework P2020, an exciting opportunity to transform healthcare by providing facilities that will improve efficiency and clinical outcomes throughout England.

This has involved a number of meetings with those consultants with whom we have existing relationships with and have delivered such outstanding facilities as Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Schoen Clinic and Health Services Laboratories – the latest being 60 Whitfield Street that will provide vital blood samples to UCLH. In addition, we have been speaking with professionals who although new to ISG, have the ability to add another dynamic to our delivery in health. This embraces the increased use of technology in the design, delivery and efficient operation of new facilities that will meet the challenge of net zero carbon by 2050.

This work will be completed and agreed with the board in the coming months, following which the strategy will be shared through-out the business.

What challenges do you faced in your role?

Based on experience, the biggest challenge that I find at each stage of delivering healthcare projects, is stakeholder engagement. A successful project cannot be delivered in isolation - a stakeholder engagement plan must be developed and agreed at the outset. This identifies each stakeholder, their role and best way of engagement.

Delivering capital works in the health sector is unique. I remember in the past visiting the consultant lead for critical care at 7.00am in the morning to agree a ward layout. In our role of solution provider it is important we are mindful that clinical stakeholders have a full time day job and that our requirements must always fit around their existing commitments.

In stakeholder engagement, the use of modern technology including VR offers significant improvement over the traditional use of 2D design information.

A typical day

When in the office, my typical day is quite a long day travelling from Newark on Trent to London on the East Coast train, I tend to leave the house at around 05:30, returning home at around 19.30 in the evening. A long day but the train journey provides useful reading time or the opportunity to catch-up on emails.

Presently, there are many back-to-back meetings with regular commitments involving senior management and enabling services on marketing, supply chain and bid strategy. No two days are the same and with the dynamic challenge that is health, you’re never too old to learn something new!

If you didn’t pursue a career in construction, which path do you think you would have followed?

At primary school I auditioned for an acting part for the local theatre company. Having passed the audition, I went onto to perform in six plays and a pantomime, including the Edinburgh festival and the 'BBC production of William Shakespeare’s 'As you like it!' There’s a film out there somewhere!

Theatre however was never a serious option. It was an opportunity to work as an electrician’s mate during the holidays at secondary school, that fuelled my interest in working in the construction industry. My ability to work with figures resulted in me training as a Quantity Surveyor.

Advice for anyone considering a future in the health sector team at ISG?

Delivery of capital works in the health sector offer such a variety of opportunities. From work winning, engagement with stakeholders and designers in developing the business case, to on site delivery and post occupation evaluation. With the government’s commitment to investment in the health sector there’s no sign of it slowing down be it in primary care, the acute sector or mental health.

Of the people I know involved in delivery of capital works in the health sector, they all experience great satisfaction and reward delivering facilities that can improve or change the life of others. I think it’s a great place to be and ISG has a lot to offer in that respect, so I would absolutely encourage anyone to join the business!

To find out more about ISG's healthcare experience click here.