This is about me, so time to self indulge ....
I'm Simon, an experienced solution finding, client facing, concept realizing, design developing, site orientated, QS'ing, production managing, people orientated, value adding, professionally qualified, project manager. At project and business level...
I've worked for and with small to medium sized companies associated with commercial fit out for 20+ years on their projects, a list below, 91 notable ones so far, with design or management involvement, I specialize in guiding concepts, often complicated, through to reality. Which is a extremely difficult if not simple sounding process.
You've got to love projects .... I do ..... each is different, each has different people to meet, each has their own personality, all have something to learn from and all could be better ........... they come along, you get one shot at them and then they go, sail off to be what they were meant to be, ish.
One shot, one chance to make some money, one shot to deliver something everyone is proud of ... yet people try to treat them as business as usual and that makes the foundations for a bad project!
I believe for projects to be as successful as they can, to make the most money, get kudos, comply ... or just keep the wages being paid .. its a collective effort and responsibility that needs sensitivity, understanding, strength and especially collaboration to manage well .. and you have to fit into the project ... the project doesn't fit to you. Otherwise it would be business as usual*. and this approach is where you loose the value you should have gained.
To understand and get the best out of a project is to understand the principle that a project and people are unique, a process is not, they should be treated as such.
Why cowshed projects? .. I work in a cowshed ... well office in an old cowshed .. the cows would just get in the way now and I wouldn't know how to milk them .... just be messy.
*business as usual - to repeat the same function to achieve the same results. eg repeat manufacture of a product to sell or doing the payroll.
I'm Simon, an experienced solution finding, client facing, concept realizing, design developing, site orientated, QS'ing, production managing, people orientated, value adding, professionally qualified, project manager. At project and business level...
I've worked for and with small to medium sized companies associated with commercial fit out for 20+ years on their projects, a list below, 91 notable ones so far, with design or management involvement, I specialize in guiding concepts, often complicated, through to reality. Which is a extremely difficult if not simple sounding process.
You've got to love projects .... I do ..... each is different, each has different people to meet, each has their own personality, all have something to learn from and all could be better ........... they come along, you get one shot at them and then they go, sail off to be what they were meant to be, ish.
One shot, one chance to make some money, one shot to deliver something everyone is proud of ... yet people try to treat them as business as usual and that makes the foundations for a bad project!
I believe for projects to be as successful as they can, to make the most money, get kudos, comply ... or just keep the wages being paid .. its a collective effort and responsibility that needs sensitivity, understanding, strength and especially collaboration to manage well .. and you have to fit into the project ... the project doesn't fit to you. Otherwise it would be business as usual*. and this approach is where you loose the value you should have gained.
To understand and get the best out of a project is to understand the principle that a project and people are unique, a process is not, they should be treated as such.
Why cowshed projects? .. I work in a cowshed ... well office in an old cowshed .. the cows would just get in the way now and I wouldn't know how to milk them .... just be messy.
*business as usual - to repeat the same function to achieve the same results. eg repeat manufacture of a product to sell or doing the payroll.
Click button for a list of projects I've worked on, my background and areas of expertise. Also please feel free to visit my LinkedIn account via the button above.
My Background
I have worked in commercial fit out fo over 20 years, I have multi project and business orientated experience and achieved Prince 2 foundation and practioner and P30 certification. I have been instrumental in implementing over 80 projects to successful conclusions within construction fit out, bespoke manufacture & the architectural industry. Including aligning effectively sub-contractors, production, finance and sales teams. I have also demonstrated elevated skills in design management and design. My senior management experience includes directing, reorganizing, refocusing and strengthening departments and teams.
I have excellent influencing and mentoring skills and have implemented new systems and managed change extensively. Developing innovative solutions, negating risk, modifying structure and formulating plans. Within a project and business.
My background in design gives me an advantage in creative problem solving and through my experience of production, an understanding of what is practicably achievable. I have a passion and knowledge of projects and how they can be managed effectively and innovatively to achieve value.
I have worked in commercial fit out fo over 20 years, I have multi project and business orientated experience and achieved Prince 2 foundation and practioner and P30 certification. I have been instrumental in implementing over 80 projects to successful conclusions within construction fit out, bespoke manufacture & the architectural industry. Including aligning effectively sub-contractors, production, finance and sales teams. I have also demonstrated elevated skills in design management and design. My senior management experience includes directing, reorganizing, refocusing and strengthening departments and teams.
I have excellent influencing and mentoring skills and have implemented new systems and managed change extensively. Developing innovative solutions, negating risk, modifying structure and formulating plans. Within a project and business.
My background in design gives me an advantage in creative problem solving and through my experience of production, an understanding of what is practicably achievable. I have a passion and knowledge of projects and how they can be managed effectively and innovatively to achieve value.
Testimonials
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'(It's been a pleasure working with you) you have been super helpful so professional - great member of the team'
Matt East - EPH studios |
'I had the pleasure of working with Simon at Paragon Creative. Simon brought a fresh approach and transformed the project management team. He clearly understood how to get the best out of his colleagues and delivered projects profitably and on time. Simon showed the ability to work openly with clients to find solutions to problems which arose in a professional manner. If you need someone to come in and run a project for you, I would highly recommend Simon.'
Neil Jefferies - Former FD at Paragon Creative |
'I worked alongside Simon for many years and enjoyed every moment of it and learnt a huge amount .His ability to keep his head when all around were losing theirs, to stand back and see a bigger picture, to tackle challenges head on in a cooperative and productive way meant that our projects were delivered on time and on budget and with happy clients. Simon is both creative and commercially minded, a rare skill set and one that I found an absolute bonus in a colleague when working on a wide variety of projects. I would not hesitate to recommend Simon, he is an asset to any business.'
Carol Fenner - Former Sales Director at Paragon Creative |
AREAS OF EXPERTISE
Senior management, commercial fit out, design and management in Leisure, Heritage, Hospitality, Office & Exhibition Sectors
Managing and leadership
Project Management
Technical and Design Skills
EDUCATION/TRAINING
CAREER HISTORY
Paragon Creative - Specialist Fit-Out Contractors - Project Director, Design manager, Designer.
Key achievements
Park Lane Group - Design Manager & Senior project manager
Key achievements
Careyjones interiors
Key achievements
Senior management, commercial fit out, design and management in Leisure, Heritage, Hospitality, Office & Exhibition Sectors
Managing and leadership
- Aligning, directing and mentoring departments in multiple companies.
- Analysing, creating and implementing change to improve effectiveness and cohesion in failing departments and building new teams from scratch.
- Enabling multi-faceted project design and construction teams to deliver projects up to £15million
- Administered design and construction management including design, production and services coordination.
- Pioneering and influencing company and project standards, processes and procedures
- Delivering influential communication with all levels of stakeholders.
Project Management
- Instrumental in delivering projects from £15million to £10K under budget, ensuring costs were correctly aligned.
- Achieved ways of communicating effectively financial and progress information, both through clear verbal and innovative written means.
- Identified and negated risk, saving thousands on multiple projects
- Ensured appropriate Quality Management implemented.
- Instigated and delivered procurement of packages up to £300k
- Chartered the construction or design processes on more than 80 projects
Technical and Design Skills
- Programming writing and development (microsoft project)
- Presenting
- Space planning, Production, Design Detail Drawing, producing and understanding
- Specifying of materials
- Site Surveys
- Microsoft project, AutoCAD, Photoshop, InDesign
- Microsoft office programmes, Sketch up
- Scoping Preparing schedules
- Working knowledge of Building regulations & CDM
EDUCATION/TRAINING
- Prince2 Foundation and practioner
- P3O® Foundation Certificate in Portfolio, Programme and Project Offices
- Basic Microsoft project training
- NEBOSH National Certificate in Construction Health & Safety (Level 3) – 2009
- BA(Hons) in Interior Design - University of Huddersfield
CAREER HISTORY
Paragon Creative - Specialist Fit-Out Contractors - Project Director, Design manager, Designer.
Key achievements
- Analysed and implemented a restructure for the department to allow for more efficient working.
- Analysed, created and supported a more effective reporting procedure for the company to enable greater transparency of effective information.
- Instigated the recruitment process for the department.
- Analysed and lead an improvement of highly effective communication procedures between departments at senior and shop floor level.
- Implemented innovative resource and deliverables management processes
- Ensured ground breaking quality and communication processes were implemented to achieve effective successful delivery of project information
- Directed the design and coordination of focused project information with global teams to achieve 100% agreement and understanding.
- Oversaw and reenergised the implementation of projects from failing positions to the key stakeholders complete satisfaction.
Park Lane Group - Design Manager & Senior project manager
Key achievements
- Implemented new effective procurement and delivery processes
- Instigated refocused design review processes
- Amplified improved procurement of new suppliers
- Coordinated multiple multimillion-pound projects simultaneously
- Implemented, balanced and attained successful brand and design improvement during the project process
Careyjones interiors
Key achievements
- Lead and directed successful projects from concept pitch through to practical completion controlling internal work schedules and external stakeholders.
- Achieved and implemented bespoke IOS 9001 status for the department