Name: Garry Stamp
Employer: R Durtnell & Sons
Project: Tonbridge Schools Sports & Media Centre, Kent
Contract: JCT 2005
Every project is different, but construction fundamentals don’t change, and it was Garry Stamp’s understanding of these that carried this project through to a successful conclusion.
Aware of the need to make everyone involved − client, consultants and subcontractors − feel part of a team committed to achieving excellence, he displayed the open and honest approach and fine communications that ensured that participation. He encouraged the client to visit site regularly, using these opportunities to demonstrate why early decisions on various matters were necessary. He facilitated site visits from the client’s fundraising body so individual funders could see actual progress.
He put great store by meticulous pre-planning and scheduling. He let the subcontractor packages early, taking the opportunity to vet their previous work and obtain material samples to establish initial quality. The early meetings also allowed him to control costs tightly, with competitive prices for materials and labour costs kept to a minimum.
Calm and concise, he arranged a series of meetings to explain to the subcontractors the schedule of works, where they fitted in and what he expected of them. He then managed the trades so that they performed to his exacting requirements, allowing the project to be completed on time and to budget.
And when, despite all the powerful organisation, smooth co-ordination and thorough planning, things did go wrong, Garry had the flexibility to recover the situation quickly. For example, the extension of a steel frame through the concrete frame threatened seriously to disrupt the programme at one point. By establishing which areas of the concrete could be built onto, he allowed the steel to be erected before the concrete frame and slabs had been completed, avoiding delays and keeping the project on track.
Garry knows his industry and led this project by example. He always arrived early and was often the last to leave. His collected persona and knowledge of the job inspired his team to deliver.
Value: £8.1m