We caught up with our Senior Principal, Delivery, to find out more about his role and his life outside of work.
How did you come to work as Senior Principal, Delivery, at Health Spaces?
I’ve been in construction for more than 30 years now – time flies! I started out in traditional construction within project management, then spent 17 years in the modular building industry as a Project Manager, moving up to Head of Operations. At the end of 2021, I felt I needed a new challenge. I officially joined Health Spaces in March 2022.
What does a Senior Principal, Delivery, at Health Spaces do?
I get involved in the design process as part of the multi-disciplinary team to ensure that, as the schemes are developed through the design process, the deliverability is considered and we can prepare for a seamless delivery for our NHS partners. A big part of the role is to ensure the structure is right on site and that the necessary appointments are made as required.
I also liaise closely with the client throughout the whole project journey to ensure expectations are met, or bettered, on all elements.
What does a typical day at work look like for you?
Every day is different. I could be in the office for meetings with clients or the wider Health Spaces team, or with consultants and healthcare architects. Depending on where we are with projects, I could be on site having client meetings, catching up with my team and making sure everything’s going to plan and exceeding the requirements of the client.
What’s your favourite part of your role?
I love the diversity of it. The geography can be challenging – there is a lot of travel – but I like that no two days are the same. And the Health Spaces team is fantastic. We all have the same goals, morals and objectives. It’s very fulfilling to help the NHS and, at the end of a project, seeing our buildings being used to help people is a great feeling.
And your least favourite part?
I don’t have a least favourite part. There can be challenges along the way, but I’d expect that in any business or project.
Your role involves a lot of travel, so do you have a favourite part of the UK to visit?
I enjoy going into London. It’s nice being in the capital with its hustle and bustle, but I also like coming back out again! My favourite would be either Cornwall – I have worked down in Truro – or the Isle of Wight. I haven’t done any work on the Isle of Wight, but it has a lot of good memories and reminds me of my childhood, which I have since shared with my wife and daughter.
How do you unwind after work in your spare time?
Going to the gym helps me unwind and I enjoy getting out for walks, but my biggest passion is football. I am a Leeds United fan (for my sins) and my daughter and I are season ticket holders. I’m not a massive TV person. I’m led by my wife, so we sometimes get into small drama series, but I draw the line at Love Island! I do watch a lot of sport.
What would be your dream project to work on?
That’s a tough one. Throughout my career, I’ve worked in the majority of sectors. I had the chance to tour the Centre Court at Wimbledon and also Tottenham Hotspur’s new ground, which were both amazing experiences, but my work for Health Spaces is massively different. It might sound corny, but every job is the dream job because you’re helping people. When you finish a job and handover – as we’ve just done at James Paget – and when you see patients in those buildings, it makes you realise you’re actually getting people cared for. It’s such a fulfilling role.
I suppose the dream would be a hospital on Elland Road, the home of Leeds United, but that seems unlikely!
