Name: Neil Matthias
Employer: Shepherd Construction
Project: Rockliffe Hall, Hurworth on Tees, Darlington
Contract: PPC 2000
It’s a long way from YTS joiner to construction manager, but Neil Matthias has climbed the career ladder with panache. On this incredibly complex project, he lived, breathed and dreamed construction to deliver a stupendous outcome. The client happily admits that ‘delighted’ is an understatement.
Neil’s championing of Lean construction was excellence in action. Six-week look-ahead plans eliminated constraints. Plans detailing the week’s operations were relayed to the workforce through morning ‘huddles’, offering an opportunity for feedback and involvement in overall decision-making. He brought the subcontractors and specialists on board early to contribute their expertise and find the cost savings that would bring the scheme within budget.
Neil’s ability to bring the whole workforce to bear delivered his prime innovation on this project: a tunnel to link the separate basements at either end of the old hall. Once the discovery of a brick vault under part of the derelict hall piled up the risk involved in digging an external tunnel, Neil set out his own proposal: to prop up the superstructure with scaffold while open-excavating a tunnel through the building, using small plant to excavate and conveyors to remove the spoil. The enthusiastic development of the idea by the team turned it into an effective and economical solution.
Neil’s people management was rock solid. He treated the entire workforce as equals in a tour-de-force example of collaboration. He showed a respect for others and a steadfastness whatever the challenges and surprises. Proud of his own work, he instilled a quality ethos throughout the team.
Value: £44.5m