Name: Simon Neath ICIOB
Employer: Wates Construction
Project: The Ann Marie Howes Centre, Sheldon
Contract: NEC 2 option C
This was Simon Neath’s first project occupying the lead role but you’d never guess. He achieved early delivery, budget fidelity, high KPI scores and a good safety record. The local community, the client and the architect all declared their satisfaction.
What lies behind those project outcomes, though, is Simon’s dedication to principles and process. He aimed to influence people to improve the project, and to look at efficiencies for a more cost-effective and controlled delivery.
His preparation was accordingly an exercise in perfection. In every aspect of the work he looked to solid planning to give the project the advantage of consistent delivery.
And when events developed quickly, Simon reacted as impressively as he prepared. With the civils consultant missing the extent of the problems posed by the peaty ground, the project looked like having to bear an extra £200k in costs. Simon’s engineering background proved invaluable, as he soon managed and directed a solution, mitigating the expense through an innovative approach and excellent value engineering.
He laid down clear principles and methods. Noting the close linkage between non-recoverable costs and poor site management paperwork for variations and quality control, he developed a site chitty system. The chitties give instant control of situations onsite in the convenience of a small pocketable pad and have since been introduced on other Wates sites.
His methodical and considered approach, combined with excellent communication skills, turned mediocre teams into high performers. Aware that trade contractors tend to focus on progressing bedrooms rather than communal areas, he divided the project into blocks containing both. He then phased the work to give the principal trades sole access, reducing the risk of damage to the underfloor heating and screeds.
Value: £10.5m