Name: Geoff Wright MCIOB
Employer: BAM Construction
Project: Harrogate Royal Hall Restoration
Contract: NEC option C
Geoff Wright’s full-on approach never fails to impress clients. This time around he insisted that the first project team meeting should be held on the floor of the Royal Hall so everyone could take in its atmosphere. It set the tone of complete engagement with this major renovation scheme that resulted in a widely shared pride in the results.
That pride and ownership was further stimulated by Geoff’s open-book, proactive and collective approach. He ensured the onsite team always listened to the client, offering constructive dialogue and enthusiasm rather than grudging acceptance.
From the outset, Geoff sought the buy-in of key subcontractors and their early involvement in developing methods and sequencing. It led to a number of important value-engineering solutions that greatly contributed to buildability and the budget.
For example, he proposed stitch repairs to perished structural beams, avoiding the need to dismantle cupolas, roofing and facade stonework. He saved the clinker concrete floors and marble staircase by inserting new structural steelwork for them. And he eliminated many temporary works altogether by reclaiming and reusing existing stonework, and rescheduling works.
The powerful value offensive, allied to Geoff’s close collaboration with the client team and well-founded financial forecasting, released funds and gave the client the cost confidence to fund extra works.
Just as important was Geoff’s command of accessibility, which allowed sponsor potential to be maximised. By underwriting the logistics, insurance, fire and security systems, Geoff enabled the Royal Hall to host mid-project visits from the Prince of Wales (along with 300 potential sponsors) and a black-tie performance of Beloved Clara on the birdcage scaffold which raised £1m.
Geoff’s control of quality was just as exceptional as his handling of the project finances. He made choosing the right people and putting them in the right environment with the right information the cornerstones of quality, backing it up with constant work reviews.
The leaking roofs, rising damp, delaminating plaster and failed structural floors of a building that had been closed for four years were triumphantly transformed by a construction manager who exudes professionalism.