Meet John Wilson, Site Manager at Tamdown
Meet John Wilson one of our Site Managers, his development since joining the business is another great example of how, with the right commitment from the individual, supported by our development opportunities, we are ‘Building Bright Futures’ for our people.
John has been part of the Tamdown team since 2012 when one of his friends recommended Tamdown as an employer. Prior to this, he worked in construction since leaving education, including for another Groundworks company and on his own as a contractor.
His first Tamdown role was as a General Construction Operative and during his early years with us he got his dumper ticket, roller ticket, and others as he had opportunities to learn more skills on-site.
In 2016 while working on one of our longest-running sites in Chelmsford, he was promoted to Site Supervisor and then Site Manager. Alongside and since this, he has taken part in our SEMP programme dedicated to the development of our Site Leaders, an ILM course and an NVQ Level 3 SMSTS (Site Management Safety Training Scheme).
As a Site Manager, he is responsible for all delivery on-site as well as overseeing anything from 20-60 members of the site team at any one time.
John commented about his role:
“It’s always busy which I like, the days start with a briefing to the team to ensure everyone is clear on the plan for the day and their duties, this can also include briefings on a variety of subjects, WISE, H&S updates, and toolbox talks.
There is the admin to sort out, ensuring we have all the dig and other permits we need, our reports are up to date, ensuring machine checks are done, and all required paperwork is complete.
I work closely with our customer’s team on-site updating on progress, regular programme meetings to ensure we meet their requirements, and traffic management meetings. I also host and show their Directors around the site.
Another key part of the day is walking the site to check in with the teams, see how all areas are progressing and ensure all safety measures are being followed and maintained.
I’ve had opportunities to develop ever since I joined Tamdown, through courses but also through learning on the job.
I enjoy that things are always changing and that I am key to managing that and dealing with those changes on my site.”
‘Roots for Foundations’ Tree planting – 579 trees planted April to June 2023
For every foundation that we complete on our customer’s sites, we continue to sponsor the planting of a tree.
With 579 foundations completed in the second quarter of the year on our sites, the same number of trees will now be planted – every tree is counting towards a brand new forest.
The Future Forest Company, which we are supporting through our ‘Roots for Foundations’ campaign, aims to remove CO2 from the atmosphere, restore biodiversity and fight climate change.
By planting new trees, we are contributing towards this goal.
You can even see the location of our new trees at the what3words address: lads.puns.missions
Meet Cleve Geisha, Senior Quantity Surveyor at Tamdown
‘Building Bright Futures’ for our people is an essential part of our success at Tamdown.
A great example of this people development is Cleve Geisha who joined Tamdown as a Post-Graduate in 2012 and is now a Senior Quantity Surveyor.
Cleve started with us 11 years ago and, during his Graduate programme, worked on-site following six years of previous experience as an operative, and in our buying, estimating, and commercial teams.
He then completed three years in the Estimating team between 2013 and 2015 before taking a short time away from the business for a few months to work closer to home when his daughter was born.
Cleve returned in 2016 due to the flexibility we could then offer to work from home a couple of days a week, meaning he could still see his young family more, but also rejoin Tamdown where he wanted to be – work-life balance is so important and we strive to help all our people achieve this.
On his return, Cleve joined the Commercial team as a Quantity Surveyor and in 2022 was promoted to Senior Quantity Surveyor. He now oversees and supports two of our up-and-coming QS’s sharing his knowledge and experience as they develop their own skills.
Cleve commented about his role:
“My weeks are very diverse – a week of each month we complete our valuations which means I am visiting sites and finalising the data and information with the construction team to measure; the progress of works, spend on materials, plant and labour, plus other factors to inform the month’s valuation.
Other weeks I am continuously monitoring budgets and costs on contracts, procuring subcontractors, reviewing material costs and changes, ensuring payments are received as scheduled, preparing internal reports and comparing live works to our original bid documents.
I work closely with our Contracts Managers and Site Managers as well as our customers to ensure the best possible relations and results.
I like being part of the delivery team and seeing a site through from start to finish – seeing an empty field, turn into a busy construction site, and then ultimately into a community where people live.
The balancing act of having happy customers through our quality delivery and ensuring Tamdown’s margins on each job is always the key goal, and I thrive on making this happen.
With an average of 5 projects at a time to oversee, I enjoy the variety this brings, as while one site is in the early months, another may be coming close to completion and final accounts – so no site or day is the same.”
Volunteering to support a local community center
Our Estimating team recently spent the day at First Stop Centre to help with a variety of tasks including:
- Packing and giving out food
- Window cleaning
- Gardening and weeding to tidy up the area around the centre
- Edging paths
- Planting shrubs and plants
Based in Braintree, the centre is a grassroots project that offers real and immediate help to members of the community who are struggling with problems, and want to improve the quality of their lives.
The centre serves as a location for delivering services such as: counselling, anger management groups, educational lessons, benefits advice, a community fridge and much more.
Well done to the team for getting out into the community and helping this worthy cause.
Tamdown Behavioural Safety Programme
At Tamdown we have launched a bespoke Behavioural Safety Programme to help our people stay safe and support safe working environments for all our customers, contractors, and partners.
The behaviour-based programme is designed to influence employee actions towards safer outcomes, ideally by preventing an accident or injury before it occurs. These sessions for all our people will help us to further promote safety, eliminate hazards, and prevent injuries.
As well as briefings from our leadership team and Health & Safety representatives, we have commissioned the support of Justin Manley of Titanium Talks, who has worked in the sector for over 20 years, but sadly suffered life-changing injuries after an accident at work. The story he shares describes both organisational and personal failings; it adds a real-life example and significant impact.
Kieron from our team commented:
“The session really got me thinking about behaviour at work and in all aspects of life. I drove home afterwards analysing the risks around me… It really hits home and makes you think.”
‘Roots for Foundations’ Tree planting – 442 trees planted January to March 2023
For every foundation that we complete on our customer’s sites, we continue to sponsor the planting of a tree.
With 442 foundations completed in the first quarter of the year on our sites, the same number of trees will now be planted – every tree is counting towards a brand new forest.
The Future Forest Company, which we are supporting through our ‘Roots for Foundations’ campaign, aims to remove CO2 from the atmosphere, restore biodiversity and fight climate change.
By planting new trees, we are contributing towards this goal.
Tamdown wins internationally recognised health and safety accolade – RoSPA President’s Award
Tamdown has achieved the RoSPA Gold award for the 14th consecutive year as well as the President’s Health and Safety Award, which recognises our efforts and engagement to ensure our staff, customers and contractors get home safely at the end of every working day.
Organisations receiving a RoSPA Award are recognised as being world leaders in health and safety practice.
Rob Kendal, Tamdown Managing Director, commented:
“I am extremely proud of the commitment by all our people to health and safety – consistency is key, and this award confirms and recognises 14 years of that commitment”
Julia Small, RoSPA’s Achievements Director, said:
“We are thrilled that Tamdown has won a RoSPA Award and would like to congratulate them on showing an unwavering commitment to keeping their employees, clients and customers safe from accidental harm and injury.”
Tamdown Housebuilder Magazine ‘Last Word’ – Managing volatility with an agile approach
Tamdown Managing Director Rob Kendal features in Housebuilder Magazine’s ‘Last Word’, discussing how remaining agile and flexible ensures we can help housebuilders manage more volatile periods.
Read Rob’s insights on housing demand, inflation, attracting and retaining talent in our industry, sustainability and much more
The full article can be found here on p80.
‘Roots for Foundations’ Tree planting – 292 trees planted October-December 2022
For every foundation that we complete on our customer’s sites, Tamdown continues to sponsor the planting of a tree.
We are pleased to share that a further 292 trees have been planted for Q4 (October-December 2022), giving a year total of 1724 trees planted (January-December 2022).
Our partnership with ‘The Future Forest Company’ is helping the growing of a new forest in the UK. This time 292 Birch trees have been planted in Noddsdale, Largs, Scotland.
The exact location can be viewed here
The Future Forest Company’s aim is to remove CO2 from the atmosphere, restore biodiversity and fight climate change. By planting new trees, we are contributing towards this goal.
Tamdown Attend ECTA’s Excellent Trainee Awards
Tamdown have been supporting The Essex Construction Training Association (ECTA) awards for several years showcasing some of our aspiring talent, and this week we attended the 2022 awards ceremony.
Our Team attended the event to support three members of the Tamdown site team who were each nominated for ECTA awards.
Cameron Youngman, one of the nominees, joined Tamdown as a General Construction Operative and is now undertaking an apprenticeship with us in Civil Engineering to expand his skillset.
Jordan Dicks has learnt to drive all site-based plant and is now training to become a site manager, undertaking all relevant qualifications.
Regan Leighton has recently become a site manager after completing a groundworks apprenticeship and has achieved many training accreditations and tickets and so was also nominated for the awards.
The ECTA recognises trainees that stand out within their company, whether it’s by undertaking a training scheme, an apprenticeship or by training in-house.
ECTA is a great way to celebrate our talent, and we are pleased to have nominated Cameron, Jordan, and Regan for the awards. Congratulations to all of them for receiving highly commended awards.