The firm鈥檚 director on setting up the business, keeping the stress levels down and why you should be prepared to share if you sit next to him at dinner
Why did you choose construction as a career?
My dad is a builder, so it was naturally always an interest and the easiest industry to move into.
What are you most proud of in your career to date?
Being asked to partner and set up MESH.
What has been the biggest challenge of your career to date?
Going through the infinite number of learning curves of running an SME, particularly the evolving process of recruitment.
If you could change one thing about the industry, what would it be?
The secrecy and games that are played with costs through the entire project chain, upward and downward.
What is the most helpful advice that you have been given?
Everything happens for a reason. I appreciate this is generic and slightly clich茅ed, but it鈥檚 what I try to live by. It helps to keep the stress levels low and allows me to think about things logically rather than making rash decisions.
Name your favourite building in the world?
One World Trade Centre was breathtaking.
Which famous building do you most dislike?
I don鈥檛 think I have one.
Which famous building do you wish you had worked on?
The M16 building at Vauxhall on the Thames. Aside from being iconic, I would love to know about all the hidden and secret aspects that I am sure are contained within. Although I suspect you couldn鈥檛 tell a soul, it would be great to be the one in the know!
What single piece of advice would you give to someone starting out in your profession?
Graft and ask as many questions as you can! I would also say to volunteer as quickly as you can if you hear someone needing help 鈥� even if they don鈥檛 ask.
Who do you most admire in the construction industry?
The people who actually do the work on site. The skills and knowledge they have consistently amazes me, combined with the obvious physical side of the job.
What is it like being you (and doing your job)?
I love my job and am passionate about looking after clients鈥� money and being fair to both sides. Hopefully contractors agree!
Do you have a life philosophy?
I think I鈥檝e answered this already with 鈥渆verything happens for a reason鈥�. I also use 鈥渓ife is too short鈥�, which I don鈥檛 use to excuse climbing mountains or travelling the world, but more so to ignore the annoyances in life that I don鈥檛 want to waste time worrying or talking about.
What do you think your best quality is?
Probably being able to implement and stand by the above philosophy.
What trait do you most dislike in yourself? And in other people?
Not showing emotion very often, so it is probably difficult to know what I am really thinking.
Name three things that you like
Optimism, hard work and attention to detail.
Tell us about a secret skill that we don鈥檛 know you have
The time it has taken me to think about this tells me that I don鈥檛 have one worth sharing.
What is your most prized possession?
My family.
Early bird or night owl?
Night owl.
What is your favourite food?
Sharing food of any kind 鈥� Dim sum and steak are up there.
What would your superpower be?
It has to be teleportation, with the ability to take others with me. I would love to use time travel to do all the important things in life, like golf.
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