Consultant Profile

A driven, highly motivated, passionate entrepreneur with over 19 years’ experience in construction & the built environment. I have set up 3 successful businesses and maintained them during harsh economic times. Experience Management Consultant supporting the subcontractor supply chain within the built environment, providing guidance and mentoring on health, safety, environment, quality, growth and strategic planning

My focus has been within heavy construction and civil engineering, specifically high risk environments such as heavy lifting and rail safety critical and that remains the case today, as I know support subcontractors within the supply chain achieve higher standards through continual business improvement models.

Skills/Accomplishments

·         Founding member of the CPA Tower Crane Interest Group Steering Committee and active member of the focus group(s) that drive the crane industry forward with higher standards of quality and safety.

·         Involved on major construction projects including South Hook LNG (2005 to 2008– Jetty demolition and new build and “pedestrianisation” and improvement of Cardiff City Centre / Queen Street 2010-2012

·         Highly experienced in completing PQQ’s and tenders for large construction projects.  

·         Experienced with accounts, P&L, balance sheet and invoice discount negotiations.

·         Trained to design, implement and audit ISO 9001, 14001 & OHSAS 18001.

·         Excellent knowledge of Health & Safety legislation concerning cranes, lifting and their Approved Codes of Practice (BS7121 Safe Use of Cranes)

Experienced at managing and supervising within a subcontractor business, with 40 employees on projects at any one time.

Since starting the business, 4U offered a diverse range of specialist services to the construction and civil engineering sectors. My experience on site is varied but two major projects we were awarded during the time were the supply of lifting personnel and planning / management of lifting operations on the new Jetty construction at South Hook LNG. My responsibilities were:

1.     Attending planning meetings with the main contractor, Besix Kier JV.

2.     Site Audits and inspections of plant / lifting equipment.

3.     Assessment of competence of workforce / workforce planning / training competence matrix.

4.     Maintaining health, safety, quality and environmental management systems belonging to the client and ensuring our systems integrated.

5.     Tool box talks to brief the site team.

6.     Accident and incident reporting.

7.     Attending subcontractor meetings.

8.     Control of resourcing as regards to adequate staffing levels.

9.     Liaising with other contractors as regards safe working practices / lessons learned.

10.   Assessing and planning lifting operations.

11.   Working with the site team to create risk assessments and method statements for our site operations.

The company was awarded another major contract with Birse Civils on the back of a successful string of contracts for flood alleviation with Environment agency. My responsibilities on site were that of the above. We worked with fewer subcontractors on this project as we had a greater responsibility as the major supplier of labour resource. We worked

With Birse Civils for two years on the improvements and pedestrianisation of Cardiff Queen Street and the surrounding area. We provided 40 operatives and plant working 24 hours so that the scheme would be completed before the Millennium Stadium hosted the 2012 Olympics for football. 

Cognitia Consulting is a specialist management consultancy and training provider supporting businesses within the subcontractor supply chain. We work with senior managers and business owners to improve their business impact on health, safety and environment. Using our knowledge and experience of working within the construction sector since 1997, Cognitia provide bespoke support; from understanding and implementing the new CDM Regulations to implementation of management systems; ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18001. Our clients vary from mechanical and electrical contractors, groundworks, safety critical rail work to internal refurbishment. We support all aspects of our client’s interests; from cost analysis, tenders and proposals, learning and development planning for employees, mentoring for project managers and directors / small business owners. Our aim is to drive improvement in all areas of our clients business, delivering cost effective savings and recommendations for business improvement through better processes and better people.

For the last 2 years I have been assessing the Profile Route for Site Managers and Supervisors, working with over 40 learners and reviewing their applications. We support companies predominantly in the construction and civil engineering sectors on a consultancy basis.

We are also an accredited qualification centre to deliver qualifications including TAQA to Level 4, Health & Safety NVQ’s at Level 3 and 5, CITB Site Safety Plus courses up to Directors Roles for Health & Safety and Level 3 Environmental Management. We also provide NVQ’s in Recruitment to Level 3.

Cognitia’s client based are within the built environment & transport supply chain. We support such diverse sectors as recruitment agencies and employment businesses, SME subcontractors in construction as well as large blue chip organisations.