Martin’s life-long passion for history, and an MSc in conservation of buildings, have led to him lead our heritage and culture sector in the UK.
He has worked with some of the most prominent organisations in the sector (including the National Trust, Royal Household, the University of Cambridge and Nottingham Castle), representing some of the country’s most iconic buildings.
Dedicated to preserving the UK’s rich heritage and cultural buildings, Martin loves to be involved in project work. One day, he might be found on the roof of a Stately Home, the next listening to an architect’s solution for an exciting addition to a listed building. His collaborations involve not only preserving the past but also transforming historic environments and structures into modern spaces that serve a contemporary purpose. By working closely with world-renowned design teams, Martin has helped create modern masterpieces that pay homage to the past while meeting the needs of the present.
Seeing the vision of design teams is what excites Martin. His job is to make these complicated projects work – ensure it’s affordable, can be delivered on time, and assure clients of the quality. The buildings are often sensitive, which can make obtaining planning permission challenging. We are presented with a myriad of complex issues, but the reward and results are great.
Martin also leads the UK South-Central region for Gleeds. He is tasked with bringing together people and teams across the region, inspiring collaboration and ensuring close-knit management.
My advice to anyone starting out is to take time to gather experience. Our industry is complex, intricate and requires constant learning. No two projects are the same – the question isn’t “have you done this before?” but “have you done anything like this before?” - it’s using your experience to solve problems, which is the exciting part. It all comes back to collaboration and bouncing ideas off each other. For this reason, collaboration is the Gleeds behaviour that resonates with me most strongly.
His proudest achievement was winning the 2022 RIBA Stirling Prize for Magdalene College Library at the University of Cambridge, a beautiful brick and timber building.
Outside of work, he enjoys spending time in the Norfolk countryside with his family and is an avid cricket fan. If he hadn't become a Cost Manager, he might have followed in his father's footsteps to pursue a career in architecture. He believes in doing what excites you and enjoying the journey towards achieving your goals. For him, the direction is more important than speed.