Role

Director

Location

Bristol, United Kingdom

Since joining Gleeds in 2021, James Stone has had a significant impact on the business, specifically in his leadership of the education sector teams. His multi-faceted role includes leading project management in the south-west of the UK, while also spearheading growth on education projects, both in the UK and further afield.

With 16 years’ experience in construction, James was drawn to the construction industry by his focus on tangible outcomes, and how delivering meaningful projects can help to realise these. He is motivated by theability to make a positive impact on communities through his work.

Construction is what inspires me, as you can see all around us the projects and impact we have on society. This is more evident for the education sector. I’ve seen firsthand on so many occasions the passion that schools have for their children, and playing a small part on creating suitable environments for their development is something that I’m proud to be involved in.

A typical day includes meeting with clients on existing and new commissions, connecting with like-minded people in the industry to discuss issues impacting the built environment, as well as leading his team in the delivery of projects. Out of Gleeds’ values, he identifies most with being committed to our clients and people, supporting his team to problem-solve independently and giving them the right level of support and guidance to allow them to develop. He is passionate about supporting his team members and takes pride in playing a positive part in their career journeys. He also prioritises continual improvement in our processes as an industry, with a belief that there’s always a better way.

James was drawn to working at Gleeds by its reputation as a prominent player in the industry, in addition to its independent ownership. He is passionate about encouraging more young people into the sector, and is supporting Gleeds’ early careers programme, which aims to inspire school leavers and apprentices to pursue a construction career. Outside of work, James enjoys time with his family and supporting his children’s hobbies, as well as cycling, when time allows.