Name: Matthew Howieson
Employer: Sir Robert McAlpine
Project: Quartermile Two, Edinburgh
Contract: JCT 1998
In a risk-fuelled environment, there is always plenty of potential for a stressful client-contractor relationship. That such a relationship did not develop on this project is testament to Matt Howieson’s consistently calm, co-operative and professional approach.
This was a project with risks coming every which way. Matt had to build a seven storeys of high-end offices, retail and a two-storey basement car park on a D&B contract. The big challenges included bespoke Foster architecture, the client’s late introduction of major items of additional work, demanding tenants, and, riskiest of all, a tight programme with a rigid deadline that made transgression a hanging-at-dawn offence.
Matt’s refusal to panic and determination to win every challenge provided the stoutest of leaderships. Under its protection and encouragement, his team had the space and trust to develop solutions, focus on goals and deliver all that was required of them.
Matt’s certainty of success cascaded down the team. His promotion of a collaborative mentality led to quicker, cheaper and superior solutions to issues than are achieved in an adversarial culture. It also produced a happier working environment for everyone.
And don’t be fooled: that quick and calm collaborative resolution of difficulties did not signal a construction manager buckling under a bullying client. Matt repeatedly stood his ground with the client on the fundamental issues, yet did so in a professional, respectful and firm manner, putting forward the facts and the reasoning. It was a splendid performance that delighted the client and leaves Matt and Bovis in an excellent position to win more contracts on the huge Quartermile development.
Value: £27.3m