About Me

After studying for a BSc(Hons) in Building Surveying at Liverpool Polytechnic, I went on to qualify as a Chartered Building Surveyor in 1996. Since then my career has broadened into firstly project management, then programme management and lately into more strategic leadership roles in property which combine delivery of major projects, programmes and facilities management areas.

Having qualified as a Prince2 Registered Practitioner in 2004 and as an MSP Registered Advanced Practitioner in 2006, I have spent many years delivering projects and programmes using these methodologies in both the public and private sectors. These have included high profile schemes, with multiple stakeholders, across internal teams and across organisations.

In my leadership roles, I have lead teams to deliver significant property rationalisation and investment projects and programmes, including team performance turnarounds and increasing team engagement levels. I have also invested in my direct reports to increase their capabilities.

I have also managed to undertake some voluntary roles, including acting as an Independant Shadow Board Member for an LSVT proposal, a local Parish Councillor and as an RICS APC Assessor.

Here are some recommendations from people I have worked with:

Nigel Rudyard

Senior Procurement Officer, Macclesfield and Congleton Borough Councils

“Simon possesses an extremely high skill set as a highly experienced chartered surveyor and programme manager; he is also an articulate and effective communicator, a determined leader who quite simply gets the job done, whatever the challenges. It was a pleasure to work with him, and I wish him well in his quest for his next role - whoever employs him will be fortunate indeed.” May 14, 2012

Gill Rogerson

Cheshire County Council

“I worked with Simon on the Local Government Reorganisation Programme in 2009 - having being awarded PRINCE2 and MSP qualifications I can with all honesty say I learnt more through working alongside Simon than I did by undertaking these qualifications. During the time we worked together Simon shared his long standing experience and knowledge of how to manage a Programme with multiple complex projects/workstreams and for that I owe him immensely. The Programme ran during what can only be described as a time of intense uncertainty for everyone working in the seven authorities and he continued to manage the it in a calm and structured manner which was appreciated by all involved in or who came into contact with the Programme. I value the time I worked with Simon and would totally recommend him for any Programme/Project that he applies for in the future.” May 14, 2012

Neil Frost Grad.IOSH M.Inst.R

Facilities Manager, The Co-operative Group

“I've worked with Simon at Co-operative Food for 18 months, under his guidance & leadership the Central team has cleared a 3 year backlog of compliance and maintenance issues and gone from the bottom of the league to the top performing team in the UK, a fantastic result considering he's responisble for over 1000 retail stores, I have no hesitation in reccommeding Simon.” April 26, 2012

Clive Thompson MAPM, MBIFM

Facilities Manager, The Co-operative Group

“I worked for Simon at Co-op Food for one year while in the Central third of the UK before transferring to South. Simon has a vast knowledge of the construction industry and keeps a library of knowledge for referring to when facts are not known by him. He was instrumental in advising his team on how to turn around compliance issues within his region and took his team from the UK worst to becoming the best and remaining in that position. I would have no hesitation in recommending Simon.” April 25, 2012

Andrew Richards MCIOB MAPM

Director, ANDCIR Limited

Simon has a depth of experience and knowledge which helps any business in resolving any issue quickly and effectively. As a team leader he has a balanced approach in knowing when to assist the team and when to devolve responsibility. In my experience Simon's approach always gets the best from a Team who are then able to deliver a first class result. I would have no hesitation in recommending Simon for his knowledge and leadership ability.” May 30, 2012

Steve Jones

Director of Safer Communities, Congleton Borough Council

"I worked closely with Simon on the development of a business case and the subsequent construction of a new Corporate HQ for Congleton Borough Council. From the outset, Simon had a clear vision for how to manage this multifaceted programme of work. Controlling several different project teams, Simon ensured that the user requirement specification was clearly documented and then delivered on time, to the appropriate quality and on budget. The final outcome (now the HQ building for Cheshire East Council) was first rate and this was in no small part down to Simon's personal commitment. I enjoyed working with Simon and since we both moved on to other roles he has proved to be a generous and supportive contact for me" 16 October 2012

David Perry

Consultant HR Expert, David.p63 Consulting

“I supported Simon in some recruitment and re-structuring activity at the Co-operative Group, taking both internal and external applicants through competency based assessment processes. Simon was utterly impressive and professional, demonstrated by his determination to be objective and evidence-led in his consideration of candidates. What is more, I got a real sense of how much his existing team enjoyed and valued his leadership style.” July 2, 2012

Jason Findler

Regional Asset Planning Manager, The Co-operative Group

“Simon is an highly intelligent Senior Manager with a vast array of knowledge in all areas of project and delivery management along with all aspects of construction and planning rules. I have worked with Simon for several years and in this time no challenge has been to large or small. Having been apart of Simons team and training days this has been some of my best days in learning and contributing in a positive way to his teams and to the greater business needs. I would not hesitate to recommend Simon.” September 25, 2012

John Evans-Skinner

Regional Refit Manager, The Co-operative Group

“Having worked directly for Simon for 2 years I can honestly say that this period was one of the most challenging and rewarding periods for me. Challenging as Simon set high standards and expectations to fulfil for his team but he ensured he provided enough personal training, tools and additional guidance so these were achievable. Rewarding as it is rare to have a personal letter from a line manager thanking individual members of the team personally for a job well done. Simons expertise showed through in everything he was involved in and he was a great orchestrator of change. As a mentor, leader and manager he was decisive, focused and always had time to listen and provide the tools and advice to be able to move forward. I would have no reservations in recommending Simon..” September 28, 2012

Neil Richardson

Key Account Manager, Space Engineering

“A true professional.... I took some valuable learning’s away from our time working together, things I will never forget. As a client Simon was firm but fair and someone that I look up to. His knowledge is second to none and I would highly recommend him.” October 22, 2012

Phil Windsor

Facilities Manager - Cheshire East Borough Council

"Simon brought a wealth of experience and knowledge to the authority, managing & leading a team of professionals in achieving major Strategic improvements and legacies for both work colleagues and local residents / businesses alike."

Ian Horne

Regional Refit Manager - The Co-operative Group

"I worked with Simon for some time as part of the property and new store fitout team at The Co-operative Group and always found him to be a knowledgeable and highly professional senior manager. I would be happy to recommend him for any senior management roll"

Peter Hunt

Refit Manger - The Co-operative Group

"Simon lead and motivated the Regional Refit team, of which I was a part, to achieve exceptional results in terms of numbers of Food store refits delivered to programme, quality of output,minimal snaggng issues and general client satisfaction. Team moral was high during Simon's time in post with opportunities for progression and secondment roles"

Toni-Anne Harrison

Head of Food - Reaseheath College

"Simon changed the way we approached Capital Projects at the college. His attention to detail and professional manner is second to none. Not only did I love working with Simon, but I also found him to be extremely intellectual and humorous and he was able to put a real perspective on issues."

Niall Wright

Director - AA Projects

"As Property and Estates Manager, Simon provided leadership and hands on support to the team for delivery of the capital projects programme at Reashheath College. He delivered innovation, savings and efficiencies through the tendering and implementation of a framework for the appointment of consultants which also helped encourage long term relationships to be established between client and consultant teams, ensuring consistency of knowledge and support on projects. His experience and knowledge of the design, planning and construction process was invaluable to the college in steering through a range challenging projects"

James Grundy

Horticultural Services Manager - Reaseheath College

"It is immediately clear when working with Simon that he is both knowledgeable and experienced in his field, not to mention thoroughly detailed in his approach. He worked to secure funding for new builds at the college whilst at the same time integrating new work practices and standards across all areas of his responsibility. He is also a fun and engaging individual to work with, who brings with him a calm, professional and most importantly, approachable attitude"