North East Chairs

Upon completing my A-Levels at Emmanuel College, I joined the PlanBEE Apprenticeship scheme where I was able to work with some of the key players within the industry, exploring the various roles available. I was fortunate enough to work with Sir Robert McAlpine, SHED Engineering, Ryder Architecture and Robertsons carrying out broad range of technical and professional roles. Whilst completing the apprenticeship I achieved my HND alongside a level 5 NVQ in project management, and also ultimately decided that Quantity Surveying was the route I wanted to follow.

Following the completion of this programme, I was able to secure myself a job with Gleeds, one of the world’s leading global property and construction consultancy companies, I have been with them for over 3 years now working as an Assistant Quantity Surveyor. I continued my degree apprenticeship at Northumbria University and graduated in July 2023 with a first-class honours in Quantity Surveying. Since joining Gleeds, I have made significant contributions to several major projects in a range of sectors, which has allowed me to gain a greater understanding around the role I am fulfilling. I am responsible for contributing to the cost and project management services throughout the project lifecycle to meet the clients’ requirements allowing me to build excellent, trusting working relationships with our clients.

I joined G4C in 2021 as a way to get to know more people within the industry but also as a path to promote the various routes which can be taken to secure work within the sector. G4C has allowed me to learn and grow within the industry, connecting with professionals from a variety of backgrounds whilst also forming some great friendships. Our North East committee is filled with like-minded and passionate individuals who are all striving to make a change and it is great to see everyone come together to try to achieve this goal.

I am currently working as a Site Engineer for Bam UK & Ireland who for almost 150 years, have been shaping the UK & Ireland’s vital infrastructure and creating many of the country’s most iconic buildings. Today they are part of the Royal BAM Group, one of the largest construction companies in Europe with a turnover of over €7 billion. I currently work up in the North East on a variety of large scale public and private sector projects including offices, schools and train stations.

Upon leaving sixth form, I joined Bam as a construction apprentice in 2018 embarking on a 5 year degree programme. Within 3 years I was promoted up to Assistant Site Engineer and a further 2 years from that, promoted again to Site Engineer. Alongside my day job I have also been studying Civil Engineering at Leeds as part of my apprenticeship. In 2022, I was also lucky enough to be put forward for the G4C Student of the Year award which I luckily went on to win. To be put forward and recognised by my senior management at work was such a great feeling and a real pivotal point in my career so far.

I joined G4C as I wanted to help promote how great the industry is to young professionals, and Generation for Change provides a great platform to do so. Working with my Co-Chair Jess, we hope to continue the legacy that has been left from previous Chairs within the area and industry.