Leader in Construction

Developing Tomorrows Leaders Today

‘A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way’,

John C. Maxwell

LEADER IN CONSTRUCTION 2017 

Now more than ever the construction industry in Northern Ireland is facing many challenges and needs leaders who are able to navigate through complex environments, lead their organisation to new markets, products and services, and who can deliver results. Having a pipeline of leadership talent is critical to ensuring that businesses are sustainable no matter their size. So whether you want to elevate your company to the next level or simply secure its future, and you have a candidate with the right potential, then register your interest in Leader in Construction by e-mailing leaderinconstruction@citbni.org.uk

’Leader in Construction’ will help support and nurture the skills your people need to succeed. Coaching and practical workshops using construction specific examples will develop innovative, results-driven and inspiring leaders.  The programme includes 6 workshops covering a range of topics including: Leading Change for Growth, Strategic Planning and Market Assessment, Managing and Securing Financial Resources, Organisation and Project Management, Marketing and Managing Client Relationships, and Communicating with Internal and External Stakeholders. Further detail on the content, structure and cost of the programme can be found here.

The inaugural Leader in Construction programme has just come to an end and the achievements of the 15 participants were celebrated at an event last month at Nutts Corner Training Centre.
 

 
Attendees at the event also heard from Joe Keenan, Combined Facilities Management Ltd, one of the programme participants. He found that networking with like-minded individuals who were facing the same challenges around managing people, delivering projects and working with clients to be greatly beneficial. The one-to-one coaching sessions that Joe participated in helped him to apply the learning from the programme to day-to-day challenges.
 
Aidan Flynn, MD of Flynn, also spoke at the event from an employers’ perspective, outlining the reasons for sending one of his staff on it and the benefits to both the participant and the company. In particular Aidan has seen his employee improve his delegation skills, which in turn has allowed him to step away from day-to-day activities and become more strategic, coming up with better ideas and strategies.
 
Both the participants and their employers have praised the ability of the programme to broaden the participant’s understanding of business outside of their specialist areas, to improve confidence and communication skills, and to provide participants with a more strategic focus.
 
Also attending the event were representatives from the Leader in Construction programme’s sponsors Tughans, Farrans and Specify and members of the industry Steering Group who helped develop the programme.
 

 

The current Leader in Construction programme started in February 2016 with 15 participants from a range of small, medium and large companies across Northern Ireland. The group have just returned from a study visit to the Leuven Institute for Ireland in Belgium. Here they spent two days absorbing information from leading experts in communications, European procurement, sustainable construction and more, as well as visiting the Living Tomorrow project and the dockside Vaartkom regeneration project.

Guest Speakers and Programme Sponsors
 

The Leader in Construction programme is sponsored by Tughans, Farrans and Specify Magazine and the participants have benefitted from hearing guest speakers throughout the programme’s 4 workshops to date.
 

Michael is leading the way for the local construction industry

Michael McCormick is a Contracts Manager for Lagan Homes, one of the largest house builders in Northern Ireland and part of a larger civil engineering and materials business. He is also one of 15 participants on CITB NI’s inaugural Leader in Construction programme.
 
This substantially-funded pilot leadership development programme is suitable for those next in line for a senior management position, or with the potential to become senior managers, within local NI construction businesses. This CITB NI programme is delivered by Parity Professionals and sponsored by Specify Magazine, Tughans, and Farrans. It is designed to develop the strategic and leadership behaviours required at a senior level and to help build leadership capability within participating companies and individuals. The eight month programme includes 360° assessment, practical workshops, coaching and a two-day European study visit.
 
Michael’s reasons for doing the programme are to gain a better understanding of the financial aspects of how companies work and to develop the experience to improve his understanding of such. Lagan Homes have started on a period of significant strategic growth and want to encourage the personal development of their staff so Michael’s application to the programme was timely as companies will benefit from leaders equipped with the skills to increase sales and market share, analyse environmental conditions and set strategic direction with better connections both locally and at European level. Equally, participants will develop the ability to deliver improved results, to respond strategically to an ever-changing environment, and to manage significant budgets and complex projects. They will create a plan for their future career and for the businesses they operate in.
 
In terms of outcomes to date, Michael has gained a greater appreciation and understanding of how to lead people through change - painting a picture of what the company wants to achieve and how they hope to get there and taking on board feedback from colleagues. Michael said “The programme has helped me to step back from ‘usual’ business and look into potential areas of future improvement. Increasing workloads have meant Lagan Homes have been on a recruitment drive that I have been actively involved in. I have used the tools provided in the course to convey more clearly the roles and responsibilities of all stakeholders in order to ensure a shared vision of the company for the future.”
 
A particular highlight for Michael was the residential experience in the Leuven Institute for Ireland in Europe. Throughout the visit the participants were given access to noted European bureaucrats giving an insight into the inner workings of the European Union and how you must be mindful of other cultures and customs when dealing in a multi-cultural world. 
 

In terms of career progression, Michael sees himself continuing to gain knowledge through the help and support of the company’s senior management as well as support from elements of the wider Group structure.

Barry Neilson, Chief Executive, CITB NI said, ‘Our Leader in Construction programme will help individuals and companies to develop leadership skills which in turn will help develop the leadership quality within the industry as a whole. As the construction industry is now starting to show signs of economic improvement, strong leadership and management skills are vital in developing businesses and helping to sustain growth’.

Graham Brown is one of fifteen participants on the CITB NI Leader in Construction programme. This is the first year of the programme which aims to develop the strategic and leadership behaviours required at a senior level and to help build leadership capability within participating companies and individuals. The eight month programme includes 360° assessment, practical workshops, coaching and a two-day European study visit. This CITB NI programme is delivered by Parity Professionals and sponsored by Specify Magazine, Tughans, and Farrans.
 
Graham is currently Head of Contracts with Patrick Bradley Ltd, quarry owners who specialise in Building and Civil Engineering, Bitmac and Asphalt driveways, and supply of quarry products. The company, which formed in 1942, is based at Craigall Quarry, Kilrea and hold Term contracts with Transport NI and N.I. Councils as well as numerous one off public and private schemes.
 
Graham has been with the company for nine years and progressed to his current role from the position of Site Agent, which he held for six years. His role as Head of Contracts sees him managing all private and public contracts which include five Term Contracts for Transport NI, surfacing contracts for Donegal County Council and numerous private civil and surfacing schemes.
 
Graham says ‘As this is the pilot year for the Leader in Construction programme I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect from it, however as my current role is my first senior management role in construction I thought the course would be a great way to enhance my skills, specifically my leadership skills. Patrick Bradley Ltd champion ‘personal development’ throughout the workforce so the company were also very keen that I participate. My position involves leading and managing a team of 23 direct staff and numerous more subcontractors, so being given the chance to hear the other individuals’ opinions on different leadership techniques, that I could then bring back and use in my day to day role appealed to me’.
 
Graham has found the course useful in separating out the different skills sets of management and leadership which are quite often viewed as one skill – the course is primarily based on leadership skills and the tools used in making leadership decisions. Change has also been an ongoing topic running throughout the course and how leadership is so important for bringing about change within a business. To make long lasting change within a business environment leadership is vital, from pitching the idea at the start to seeing the change right through to the end.
 
Graham has tried to implement some changes in Patrick Bradley Ltd since the course began with varying degrees of success. One of the successful changes has been to open up a new division within the company that deals solely with traffic management. The new division currently plans, sets out and maintains all traffic management on Patrick Bradley Ltd schemes and the aim is to take this a step further and sell this service to the market in the new year.
 
Graham hopes the Leader in Construction course will help him to strengthen his position within the Senior Management team at Patrick Bradley Ltd and help the company grow within the Building and Civil Engineering industry.
 

Launch of Leader in Construction Programme January 2016

 
The Leader in Construction programme was launched in January 2016. Launching the event, Stephen Kane, Chair of the Construction Industry Group, said, ‘This initiative is vital to ensure that the construction industry moves forward in these challenging times. Strong leadership is critical to ensure that companies grow and respond effectively to the challenges of the future. Many Northern Ireland construction companies are working outside NI and this requires vision, and a different set of skills. For the smaller companies coming behind them, it is essential that they grasp the opportunities open to them and grow and expand locally to fill the gap left by those whose main business is now outside Northern Ireland. This programme will give emerging leaders the skills and confidence to achieve their own and their companies’ goals and will ensure a strong base for the future of the construction industry in Northern Ireland’.

Barry Neilson, Chief Executive, CITB NI said, ‘The construction industry has suffered from poor press coverage and a lowering of the perception of what it is to be a construction professional. It is time for us to build a new image of our sector - to build an image of professionalism, competence and quality. Strong leadership and management skills are vital to this and to achieving sustained economic growth. The construction industry is starting to show signs of economic improvement and businesses need to be able to respond effectively to the ever changing needs of the sector. This programme will help individuals and companies to develop leadership skills which in turn will help develop the leadership quality within the industry as a whole.”