At Stockton Group, we draw upon a wealth of experience in our team, across the drilling, civils, and pipelines divisions. In our latest blog, we’re speaking to our Operations Director, Gerry Carolan, about his role, how the Civils team makes sure every project is delivered to the highest standard, and his biggest achievements outside of work.
Gerry Carolan is the Operations Director at Stockton Group, responsible for delivering our key projects on time, every time, to the highest standard. Having joined Stockton five years ago, Gerry upholds the reputation of our Civils division, and is an important part of our team, contributing to our continued growth and success.
Here, he talks about his role, achievements, and life outside of work.
What past industry experience have you carried into your role at Stockton?
I’ve held many roles, from Construction Manager to Contracts Manager, across multiple sectors including heavy civil engineering projects, housing schemes, and other infrastructure work. This experience in so many different aspects of the industry has given me a clearer understanding of other contractors’ input and how work overlaps on every programme.
My qualifications include holding a CSCS Black Manager Card; numerous NVQs in drainage installation, RC concrete works, and site management; plus safety scheme qualifications.
What does a typical workday look like for you?
A typical day at work starts early in the morning at around 6.30am and goes all the way through till 7pm. Most days are filled with meetings, team catch ups, and client discussions, but I’m always happiest when at my busiest, with multiple ongoing projects. The aim is always to look ahead and plan in plenty of time, aligning the team to make sure we’re at the forefront of each project and every bid.
What’s the most challenging project you’ve worked on at Stockton, and what did you learn from it?
There have been a few food industry projects with delivery required in very limited timeframes that have been some of the most challenging. The main learning from these projects was that every cog in the wheel must be aligned to ensure time-focused projects are delivered in the sequence that both the client and Stockton require.
I’m proud of our delivery on each project and couldn’t single one out as my favourite – we aim to do it once, and do it right, every time.
Have there been any advancements in how you manage projects in recent years?
Yes, there have been numerous advances, including GPS surveys and 3D modelling which have helped improve efficiency and project delivery. But I find the experience gained from past projects still outweighs the benefits of new technology, as we continue to carry out works with the same quality and control as we did before much of this technology was introduced at Stockton.
What would you say are the main reasons why clients choose Stockton over other firms?
Clients choose Stockton because we are a hands-on team with years of experience, and we build strong personal relationships with everyone, from the site team through to senior management. We are always contactable to discuss issues or provide solutions, and our ethos is that every project is treated the same from concept to completion.
If it says Stockton on the badge, you get Stockton - no alternatives.
What are your main aims for the next six months in your role at Stockton?
I want to continue developing our team to be even stronger within the industry, whilst securing more work, and maintaining Stockton’s reputation as the leading can-do contractor that delivers every time and to the highest standards.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
The best advice I’ve received is the adage, poor preparation results in poor performance.
Another piece of advice from my late father was that you can only dance with the girls that are in the venue or go to another venue.
What’s been your biggest achievement, personally and professionally?
My big hobby outside of work is rugby, and personally, one of my biggest achievements has been helping to build my grassroots rugby club over the last 15 years. I’ve helped it develop, with a state-of-the-art function room and bar, while also improving our teams and pitches so grassroots sport can continue to thrive in a world dominated by big teams and social media.
If you’d like to work with a team of civil engineering experts like Gerry on your next project, get in touch with us today.
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