Name: Colin Hodge
Employer: Leadbitter Construction
Project: Chelsea Football Club Youth Academy
Contract: JCT 2005
Visited during the course of construction by José Mourinho, this project had a different special one to thank for its success. Colin Hodge led this high-profile project just as determinedly as the former Chelsea manager.
Making nonsense of its money-no-object reputation in the football world, the client made clear from the outset that it had no intention of subsequently topping up the project‘s finances. And that became Colin’s particular problem when the M&E quotes came in around £300k bigger than budget. A practical, highly experienced and committed construction manager, Colin led the value-engineering exercise that not only pulled back the potential project overrun but also brought the M&E package value back within its original allowance.
Pragmatic and patient, Colin upheld a non-confrontational stance throughout the contract. For example, design information failed to arrive as required, to such an extent that the client recognised the contractor was entitled to a five-week extension. But Colin accepted the reality of an immovable completion date fixed by the scheduling of an international football tournament. It’s the point at which a project can easily unravel, but Colin led the team in exploring changes in construction sequence and methods, and the use of acceleration measures.
And when the resulting changes in the roof design threatened to delay the subsequent installation of the roof sections, he had the courage to move ahead with pouring the first-floor structural screed. He did so despite uncertain weather so that the ground-floor works could proceed and gain some time for the sorely tested programme. It worked, and the project was completed on time as well as within budget and to the specified quality.
Colin’s open, collaborative and hands-on approach won him loyalty and respect. He formed strong relationships with the subcontractors, and scored a notable success with procuring European suppliers that required long lead-in times on specialist items such as the brass cladding on the main entrance and end elevations. It was on the strength of his leadership that the project architect has put the contractor forward in its tender for a grandstand at Fontwell racecourse.
Value: £5m