SME News - Managing Director of the Year Awards 2024/ 58 Construction MD of the Year 2024 (England): Tim Cunningham Briggs & Forrester Special Projects offers principal contracting and building services solutions across the central and southeast regions of England, working with a diverse group of clients across a range of sectors including education, health, commercial, industrial, pharmaceutical and infrastructure. Tim Cunningham tells us more in the wake of being recognised in the Managing Director of the Year Awards 2024. As one of the industry's largest independent building services contractors, Briggs & Forrester Special Projects (Briggs & Forrester) offers the design, installation and commissioning of the full range of mechanical and electrical building services, plus it has the capability to operate as principal contractor, providing turnkey solutions including builders’ works, groundworks, specialist finishes. The direction of the business is set through its ambitious five-year strategic plan, with business goals including a sustainable growth plan, development of its principal contracting capability, customer service and repeat business targets and a staff development focus. The development of the principal contracting capability came about in response to increasing demand from clients with projects requiring highly serviced refurbishment, critical plant replacement, decarbonisation, infrastructure and fit-out works. This move has significantly improved the quality of work which Briggs & Forrester has secured and is now seeing in its pipeline, together with opening opportunities with 18 new clients in the last few years alone. Tim Cunningham, the firm’s Managing Director, has been at the helm of Briggs & Forrester for the last five years, and aims to set the strategic direction of the business, with a clear vision and goals that all team members support. “In a leadership position I have recognised that it is less about my own personal performance and more about inspiring, motivating and empowering the team and supporting them in delivering outstanding results,” he elaborates. “From a personal perspective, the greatest contribution that I feel I have made to the business is to create a safe, inclusive and friendly environment where people are empowered and supported to do their best work.” Starting out as an electrical craft apprentice, Tim is a firm believer in the merits of this type of vocational education and has always supported other young people taking this route. His career developed through various construction roles including project engineer, planner, project manager, contracts manager to senior operational roles in two major building services contracting companies, before joining Briggs & Forrester as MD. “My experience tells me that things move fast in the industry and opportunities are always coming along,” he enthuses. “I now find great pleasure in leading a very capable and dedicated team, sharing my knowledge and coaching others in improving their performance.” An optimist at heart, Tim believes in approaching each day positively and starting each morning with a smile. However, the most important thing to ensure all employees are on the same path to success is communication, and he enjoys taking time to talk to his team, showing a genuine interest in what they are doing, and listening to any feedback, concerns or ideas they have. “I see my role as supporting, coaching and encouraging our people and always giving praise where it is deserved,” he says. “To ensure we are all on the same path to success our strategic plans are communicated, with regular transparent updates on progress, results and challenges. The key is to ensure everyone understands the strategy, how they contribute and are engaged in projects or action that takes us forward.” Looking to the future, Tim already has plans. Having recently introduced a Leadership and Management Apprenticeship in 2024 for key members of the Special Projects leadership team, he aims to upskill the team to enhance leadership performance to support business growth and strategic development. From a personal perspective, Tim is undertaking a Coaching and Mentoring Programme. The skills, experience and insights gained from this programme will provide focus in the delivery of Briggs & Forrester’s strategic action plan and support future succession planning. Finally, as a responsible business, the firm is keen to play its part in supporting local communities and managing its impact on the environment. This year, the company has invested in the social value platform Thrive and a corporate volunteering App OnHand. The adoption of these platforms provides a source of inspiration to encourage people to get involved in community action, together with a method of target setting and recording progress. These social value initiatives also make business sense, as increasingly organisations today are measured by the contribution they make to the community and environment, particularly by public sector clients. Contact: Tim Cunningham Company: Briggs & Forrester Special Projects Web Address: www.briggsandforrester.co.uk
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