Back from the brink: One Master Builder’s triumph over adversity

Question: Tell us about how you got into the building industry

Andrew: I am one of four brothers and dad was a builder for 50+ years. Dad was always talking about building around the dinner table when we were growing up. We’ve done a family tree that goes back 600 to 700 years and it’s all building or farming related. I think it’s fair to say that it’s in my DNA!

I left school early. It was not for me. I was lucky to be very good at sports and that came easy, but in the classroom, I wasn’t great. My life reached a fork in the road - I was either going to make something of my life or I was going to end up in trouble. I therefore joined the Royal Marines at the age of 16 and later joined the building industry after that. I didn’t do a formal apprenticeship, but throughout my life I had been helping dad on site and had the fortune of being taught the old ways by his staff as well as the newer skills so I could turn my hands to most trades quite early on.

Question: From your experience, what are the transferrable skills between a career in the armed forces and a career in the building trade?

Andrew: Well, my time was not that long compared to others, but I did develop effective communication skills which are important in dealing with colleagues, suppliers, and clients. You learn to convey and take orders, and process and articulate information clearly and concisely. It gives you the ability to lead, hopefully inspire, and importantly, to achieve results. Discipline is another obvious one that crosses over as is the appreciation of the importance of being honourable and diligent.

Another key attribute is the analytical skills that I developed. When you primarily work on old buildings you have to problem-solve daily and come up with solutions to what sometimes feels like impossible problems which is a big part in leading a construction company.

There is also the camaraderie - the way you care for your colleagues. Over time, they become more than colleagues – they are more like extended family members. You look out for each other. We will light the BBQ most Fridays come rain or shine just to remind the team they are appreciated and to thank them for the hard work. Good for morale!

Question: How’s the business going? What are the immediate challenges and opportunities that you face as a business?

Andrew: It is going well. The hassle is never ending - part and parcel of running a building company I guess! We primarily work on historic buildings, mostly private, some public. We are looking to grow, but I am keen to grow sustainably- slow and steady.

Costs are growing and margins are getting tighter. We obviously pass on some of the costs to the clients, but there is a limit to what you can send on, and it is becoming increasingly challenging to pass on all the rising costs.

Material prices across the board have increased and lead times are long especially as most of what we purchase for conservation projects are not off-the-shelf items.

Lack of skilled labour is a big challenge. The type of skills that we are looking for within our company are quite rare and specialised. The vast majority of the work we do is done by hand. The general trend amongst the trades is a move away from this, so we are fighting the tide on this front. Modern tools often get you out of trouble, but when you’re working on historic buildings, they can’t. Precision and getting it right the first time is critical in our line of work.

There was an enterprise near us called the Dorset Centre for Rural Skills, which was a brilliant place to train up people in the traditional skills that we need as a company. It would be great if more places like this were available for everyone to access.

I’m a big advocate for workforce diversity and have always looked to employ women, both in the office and on-site. Lack of diversity is a big problem in our industry. I think greater diversity can have a major impact on improving results across the board so I would encourage all builders to incorporate greater diversity in their workforce.

Question: Congratulations on winning the Building Company of the Year category at this year’s South West Master Builder Awards! How did winning the Award feel?

Andrew: My immediate reaction was that of surprise! To be considered the cream of the crop within a pool of some highly accomplished and well-established firms was lovely. I felt vindicated for all the hard work after everything that I had been through.

A few years ago, I was forced to take a three-and-a-half year break from the industry after suffering a serious car accident. It had a profound impact on me, both physically and mentally. It was touch and go whether I’d be able to ever work again. Before the accident, we had a large business - doing 60 to 70 projects a year, turning over £2m – £3m. Everything literally stopped that day. The business got wound up honourably and at the time it seemed that that was that. It was a horrendous time and the fact that it was something that wasn’t my fault made it particularly tough to deal with.

However, I have always had this burning passion for the industry which, even during the dark times, never went away. After three-and-half years of being in and out of hospital (there were lots of hidden injuries from the accident) I decided to have another crack at it. To build the company back up to where it is today, and for that to be recognised at the Master Builder Awards, gave me an immense sense of pride.

Question: What prompted you to put yourself forward to sit on the South West Area Board? (Andy was elected onto the FMB South West Area Board at the 2023 AGM)

Andrew: For me, this industry is more than just a job. If you treat it as just a job, you miss out on so much more! Giving back is important to me. I wanted to get involved on the Area Board to help shape the industry and to help our members aspire to be the best. I think sharing is key - knowledge, business contacts etc; it all comes around in the end. I am also keen to learn from fellow members. You never stop learning, and there’s an endless world of knowledge out there to be shared. I see no downside to that.

Question: What do you enjoy doing in your spare time outside work?

Andrew: I’m not the golfer I once was (at one point, Andy was playing off +4), but I still enjoy a round of golf and get out on the course as much as I can.

I am also involved with the Royal British Legion and have been Chair of my local club for the past 12yrs. The work of the Legion is something that is very close to my heart.

I am also the Worshipful Master at my local Masonic Lodge, which also takes a good chunk of my time.

My girlfriend and I have a holiday home in Weymouth, and we try to get down there as often as we can- doing some paddle boarding and some walking to earn those lunchtime beers.