Name: Colin Macleod ICIOB
Employer: Bellwinch Homes
Project: Scholars Walk, Farnborough
Budget, programme and quality are the construction manager’s mantra, and Colin Macleod achieved a triple whammy on this site.
With all the natural ability of a Scotsman, Colin completed the development comfortably within budget. He encouraged his subcontractors to look at the design and provide value engineering input. He actively sought out cost-saving opportunities, identifying, for example, an error in the order for first-fix carpentry materials which reduced costs per flat by £800.
He also completed some seven months in advance of the programme. With a predicted slowdown in the housing market, Colin had moved to improve sales potential by providing completed show homes at the earliest opportunity. This sales strategy paid off to such an extent that he had to accelerate construction to keep up with demand, introducing preformed dormers to the project and mobile cranes to accelerate the bricklaying programme.
And quality was assured by Colin’s determination to build to a level that would merit consideration for an NHBC Pride In The Job award. He constantly monitored standards, rectifying any substandard work immediately, and paid similar attention to finishings, presenting only top-quality plots to customers. The result was that the project won that coveted Pride In The Job recognition – Colin’s second in as many years.
Colin’s organisational skills are second to none. By creating a clean and safe working environment and by good forward planning, he kept his subcontractors happy. He attended all tender meetings to secure the subcontractors he wanted, and held prestart meetings to make clear the project objectives. A hands-on manager who knows the job backwards, Colin gets the most out of the site team, recognising good performance and praising operatives for contributions of value.
Before construction began, he visited the neighbouring primary school to talk about the dangers of playing on a building site. As the buildings went up, he gave 90 children a tour of the site and invited them to take part in a safety poster competition, presenting prizes to the winners whose eye-catching productions are now used in all Bellwinch developments.
This modern, positive manager brings professionalism and passion to building. His achievements on this project have since earned him deserved promotion to senior site manager.