In the last quarter, we have welcomed three new Directors to the Precision Facades team. Two have been promoted from within Precision itself; Stephen James, Commercial Director and Grant Ridler, Commercial Director, and one new senior hire; Rod Glover as Technical Director.
As the three of them will now take up prominent positions on the Precision Facades board, we thought it was time you got to know them better. So we sat down with the three of them to find out more…
Congratulations on your new positions! Can you start by telling us more about your careers to date?
Stephen: I’ve been in construction for 14 years, 9 of which I’ve specialised in cladding, and I’ve been at Precision 7 years, so half my career.
I actually started in the industry as a commercial volunteer for a main contractor following the completion of a BTEC and a HNC in 2005-2008 which then led to me becoming a commercial assistant for specialist subcontractor in electrics. Subsequently I moved into facades and met Steve and James before they went on to form Precision, and the rest is history!
Grant: I left school at 16 and rather than A Levels, I went to college to do a BTEC in construction while working as a trainee QS for a large developer. I did this for three years before leaving to go to university full time to get a degree in Quantity Surveying.
Then about 12 years ago, I started working with Steve and James and then when they formed Precision Facades 7 years ago, I joined them a few months later so I’ve been with the business since the beginning really.
Rod: I’ve been in construction for over 30 years now. I have a design background, specialising in Architectural Technology before transitioning to become a Site Manager and then a Project Manager later on.
I’m very lucky to have worked in a variety of industries, from hospitality to healthcare and with, who I consider to be, the best in the business. That’s the great thing about construction, it’s a small pool so you really get to know everyone and can make some great connections.
Grant and Stephen, how would you describe the culture at Precision?
Stephen: It’s very welcoming. There’s a young and vibrant feeling about the place, which Steve and James play a big part in. It’s ambitious, everyone’s got big plans for the future and it’s a great thing to be a part of.
Grant: It’s great. I think because a lot of us have worked together for around 10 years now, we’ve all known each other through the industry for a long time and it feels more like working with friends than colleagues. We all work hard, there’s a lot to do but you feel very rewarded for it. There’s always something going on as well, we go to the races together every year, there’s the Christmas do, charity events, etc.
And Rod, what drew you to wanting to work at Precision Facades?
Rod: Well, because I already knew them so well it was a very easy decision. Steve is a great guy, he’s very driven and ambitious and I want my MD at any business I’m at to have those qualities.
As a business, Precision feels like it has direction and drive and ambition and that’s very exciting to be a part of. Also, Precision’s reputation precedes them. Their expertise and high standards meet my own. They have a good recognisable brand within the industry and their company values align with my own, so it was a no brainer really.
What has been the most memorable project you’ve worked on to date?
Grant: Mine was probably Thames Court in Reading. It was a big project with all the usual challenges however what made this one memorable is that it took place during the pandemic.
We’d started and then suddenly Covid hit, and we had all of these challenges that no one knew how to deal with. We really had to come together as a team and work through it.
Stephen: After Grenfell, Precision started being employed as the main contractors for fire remedial projects which meant that we had to expand our knowledge fast.
One project that stands out was the iQ Steel in Sheffield. The cladding was relatively straightforward however a lot of the internal workings were quite complicated, and it was definitely a case of coming together as a team and combining our knowledge. It was a huge learning curve for us but since then, we’ve been able to take on similar and more complex projects, so it’s definitely been a positive.
Rod: My most memorable project would likely be the Cancer Research centre in Manchester. The architecture was complex, and the cladding was great but what made the job really special is what we knew would be going on inside the building. Just knowing that we were working on somewhere that could potentially find a cure for cancer and have an impact on millions of people has really kept that particular project in my mind.
What would you say to someone who was thinking about getting into the construction industry?
Rod: Being in the industry for as long as I have has really shown me how many different routes there are to working in construction. You can get involved in design, commercial, admin, health and safety, etc. And the job satisfaction is huge. There is a lot of red tape but it’s all worth it in the end. I love just driving around Manchester and seeing buildings I’ve worked on, there’s a lot of pride there. The industry is also getting a lot more diverse, there’s a lot more women coming through the doors which is great to see.
Stephen: I would agree, the job satisfaction is great. In the beginning there is nothing there, just on paper, at the end there is a high rise building that you’ve had a hand in building…
Grant: …Exactly. There’s something there for the rest of your life. You end up with something to show for it all. Also, the apprenticeship schemes and opportunities are just brilliant. Construction is a better route for some as opposed to A levels and uni. There’s something in construction for everyone.
Great, thank you all. Good luck in your new roles!
