Name: Colin Davidson
Employer: Skanska
Project: Walsall Manor Hospital
Colin Davidson’s achievements on this hospital scheme were as massive as the job itself. After three and a half years of superb project leadership, he delivered an enormous contract £400k under budget, bang on time and dripping quality.
It’s a record made even more jaw-dropping by the state of the project when Colin arrived two weeks after financial close. A major site services configuration was not going well, with significant service losses causing the live hospital operational difficulties. Client confidence in the contractor’s team was beginning to ebb.
Colin stormed into action, stopping all works until plans had been fully developed and contingencies put in place. He set up clear lines of communication with the client and a comprehensive approvals system that required sign-off by all parties.
He then got down to the real work. His goal was to deliver an outrageous success, and he did so by convincing everyone else to share the same approach. He encouraged his staff to develop and exceed their own expectations.
Extensive use was made of technology assistance, as Colin promoted 3D building information modelling and the use of tablet computers to record comprehensive design and room data to drive completion. He encouraged all individuals and organisations to develop ideas and processes that could boost performance and bring cost and programme advantage.
Kingframe wall panels replaced blockwork for speed of installation, instant water-tightness and economy. His ETFE foil roof reduced the amount of support steel required while conferring thermal and light benefits.
Colin championed lean construction on the project. He focused such techniques as last planner specifically at the fit-out stage to encourage collaboration and a can-do spirit. He was so successful that phase one was handed over with just 10 snags, and phase two with as near to zero as any major construction project can ever hope to achieve.