Name: Mike Atkinson
Employer: Bowmer & Kirkland
Project: The Roundhouse, Derby College, Pridepark, Derby
Contract: JCT 1998
Every project is all about the team, but this one was utterly exceptional in that individuals and companies were welded by Mike Atkinson into one über-team. As the architect put it: ‘The sense of teamwork and communal achievement was palpable, and I have never known so much passion amongst a project team for a building.’
So how did Mike make it happen? Well, he knew the design team from a job they had all just finished for the same client. They then selected the subcontractors in a spirit of collaboration. The design team championed many of the specialist restoration subcontractors, and Mike brought in the rest from Bowmer & Kirkland’s own supply chain.
For the site managers of the restoration works he chose a bricklayer and a joiner with years of experience, a meticulous eye for detail and a passion for traditional skills. And for the new build, he brought on board two ambitious young managers.
Mike recognised at an early stage the weaknesses and problems of the various parties. But rather than seeking to extract commercial advantages from those weaknesses, he leveraged the very best out of the team. His passion was infectious and his management style covered the entire range of tactics
. Encouragement, cajoling, coercion, challenge and direction were all employed, but always in a supportive and non-argumentative way.
It gave ownership of the project to the team, and galvanised them. The will to succeed was overwhelming and ubiquitous. Pride and ownership suffused the site, and resulted in a scheme with a spectacular finish.
Value: £34m