Simon Gregory: The way to build a career in construction
Engineering success: Simon Gregory was already well on his way up the engineering ladder before he decided to make the leap into the world of construction.
Simon Gregory was already well on his way up the engineering ladder before he decided to make the leap into the world of construction. Today, he is not only Managing Director of Lindum Construction, but also on the board of a group which employs about 500 people and had a turnover of £94 million in 2013.
After getting a degree in Mechanical Engineering from Newcastle University — as part of a sandwich course sponsored by Mather & Platt — he spent five years working within manufacturing, before joining RGT (now Siemens) in Lincoln.
“I came to RGT in 1987 and worked as a production controller, but a couple of years later I made a radical decision and snapped-up the chance to join building firm Bowmer & Kirkland in Derby, which was looking for graduates from a different discipline,” said Simon.
“I went from being halfway up the engineering career ladder and overseeing the work of 50 engineers to the bottom rung of the construction ladder, where I found myself on a building site making tea for the lads.”
By 1998, Simon had tired of the daily commute between Lincoln and Derby so, out of the blue he fired off a “have you any jobs?” letter to Lindum. His timing was perfect.
Simon was born in Nottingham in 1960, but grew up in Holloway, near Matlock (where he went to school). He has now spent longer working in the building industry than he did within engineering. However, he’s certainly not left it behind.
“This country, and indeed this city, has a fantastic engineering heritage, which is matched by the engineering going on to this day. We just don’t hear enough about it.”
Surviving the recession
Simon’s quite at home at Lindum, but he strongly believes that having a sound knowledge of engineering is a major asset when it comes to forging strong working relationships with many of the group’s clients.
Having as much expertise as possible at your fingertips cannot be under-rated, especially at times such as the recent recession and also when you are on the lookout for new opportunities as the economy picks up.
“The recession was as tough as it was painted in the media. As far as Lindum is concerned, we have been very lucky. We have quite a stable client base and we have not been over-exposed in any one sector,” said Simon.
“We have managed to weather the storm and have even opened an office in York, although that is still in its infancy. We have seen an upturn in the industry over the past nine to twelve months, but my personal opinion is that it (the recovery) is probably still a bit fragile.
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Phase two of the works at Speakers’ Corner in Lincoln is well underway and expected to finish on schedule this summer.
Phase two, which began on Monday, January 11, will see existing paving upgraded, as well as new street furniture being installed.
It will follow the first phase which was completed and open to the public on December 22, with a new bench put in place around the existing London Plane tree, instead of the demolished kiosk.
Speakers Corner bench is in place, but closed off until phase two paving works are finished. | Photo: The Lincolnite
Site setup for phase two is complete, with workers on site currently digging out the existing hard paving standings at the Cornhill.
A large portion of the area has been fenced off while work takes place, leaving just two pedestrian strips on either side to access both the High Street and the Cornhill Quarter.
There is limited access in the area while works take place. | Photo: The Lincolnite
Despite the cold and wet weather throughout January, progress of the paving removal has not been affected.
This means that phase two works are still on course to be finished in summer this year.
It is hoped that once the area is completed, the walkways will blend in with those at Exchange Square, as well as utilising the space for events.
A look at how the finished development will look. | Illustration: City of Lincoln Council
Bin collections in Boston and in parts of East Lindsey will be suspended for the rest of the week due to COVID-related staff absences.
The collections will be suspended from Wednesday, January 27 as a number of East Lindsey District Council’s and Boston Borough Council’s waste crews either have coronavirus or are self-isolating.
Boston Borough Council and East Lindsey District Council said it is not a decision that has been taken lightly and it is necessary for the service to be suspended in some southern parts of the district until Monday, February 1.
From Monday, waste collections are expected to continue as normal.
Households impacted by the disruption can present any accumulated side waste in black refuse sacks alongside their black bins on their next scheduled bin collection.
The following areas are affected:
Boston
Friskney
Eastville
New Leake
Stickford
Coningsby (part)
Coningsby Moorside
Dalderby
Haltham
Mareham Le Fen
Moorby
N Bolingbroke
Revesby
Scrivelsby
Tumby
Tumby Moorside
Tumby Woodside
Wilksby
Wood Enderby
Carrington
Dogdyke
Frithville
Gypsey Bridge
New Bolingbroke
New York
Scrub Hill
Thornton Le Fen
Westville
Antons Gowt
Cowbridge
Fishtoft
Frithville
Langrick
Sibsey
East Keal
East Kirkby
Hagnaby
Keal Coates
Midville
Stickney
Toynton All Saints
West Keal
Victoria Burgess, Assistant Director for Operations at the council, said: “Over the past couple of days it has proved a real challenge to keep the service going with a number of rounds having not been completed due to staff absences.
“With more crews off again today we needed to take action now and suspending the service is the only realistic option available to us to keep everyone safe – something we’ve worked hard to avoid.
“Our workforce has done an amazing job over the past year and they’ve received much praise from the community and are grateful for your continued good wishes.”
Meanwhile, Lincolnshire County Council has agreed to extend their open days at the Household Recycling Centre on Bittern Way for the disposal of black-bagged general waste and recycling only.
The two extra days of opening are Wednesday and Thursday of this week and next, between the hours of 8am and 4pm.
Over 6,000 people living in and around the Scunthorpe have signed up to donate convalescent plasma after having coronavirus.
This comes as NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) is appealing for more potential plasma donors ahead of an upcoming third trial.
Convalescent plasma is the antibody-rich plasma of people who’ve had coronavirus. This can be transfused into people who are struggling to develop their own immune response.
NHSBT wants more people in the area hitting the 28-day recovery mark to sign up.
Over 30 donations have so far been taken at the Scunthorpe donor centre at Berkeley House at Berkeley Business Centre on Doncaster Road, which opened in December last year.
People can register to donate online here and can donate 28 days after they’ve recovered from coronavirus.
The Lincolnshire centre is located at Berkeley House at Berkeley Business Centre on Doncaster Road in Scunthorpe. | Photo: NHSBT
NHSBT is collecting the plasma for new trials for older people or those with cancer to treat them early in the course of the infection.
Two earlier trials have now stopped for data analysis. The upcoming third trial’s focus will be on those with low immune systems and all donations are tested for COVID antibodies.
The NHS trials of convalescent plasma are the largest randomised controlled trials for this treatment of COVID-19.
Professor Dave Roberts, Associate Medical Director for Blood Donation at NHSBT, said: “More people than ever are now able to help – the time to donate is now.
“We especially need donations from people in Scunthorpe who’ve had hospital care. Men who had hospital care are around six times more likely to have the high antibody levels which might save lives.
“We have completed two trials and analysis is ongoing. We now need to collect plasma for further planned clinical studies. We’re particularly looking at high risk groups such as the elderly and people with cancer.
“Donations are vital to the ongoing lifesaving research, which gives us a better understanding of how we can best treat patients with COVID-19 and help prevent deaths in the future.”
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