Job Title:
Operations Manager
Start Date:
July 2010
Lee is a former apprentice at Taylor and Fraser, so he is well-placed to discuss his experience working with the company and the opportunities for progression, having been promoted to several roles over the past 15 years.
What was your starting role at Taylor and Fraser?
I began as an Apprentice Heating Engineer in 2010 on a 4-year apprenticeship programme. Upon completing my apprenticeship, I began in the role of Heating Engineer, gaining valuable work experience over the next three years. I was then promoted to the role of Supervisor for one year before moving up to become a Junior Project Manager for the next two years. Now, I am pleased to be one of Taylor and Fraser’s Project Managers.
Can you give us a brief description of your current role?
As the title suggests, I manage all aspects of the project. As you can imagine, a great deal of thought and consideration goes into planning, drawing on the experience and expertise of the entire project team. The better and more meticulous we are at this stage, the better. I particularly enjoy this phase of a project, but I also appreciate tasks such as sequencing and procurement. I suppose what I really like is the variety of different elements and skills required to be an effective Project Manager.
What aspects of your role do you particularly like?
Variety. No two projects are alike; we work on many restoration projects, but we also undertake new build projects, and these two types of projects present distinct challenges. However, it’s not just about new or old buildings; we work across many sectors, from Health to Education and data centres to historic castles. The variety is immense, and the buildings’ functions vary enormously. So, yes, variety would be the thing I like most about working here at Taylor and Fraser.
Do you find the company supportive in terms of personal development?
As a former apprentice at Taylor and Fraser, I’d say yes, they are the ones who took me on and trained me. However, since we became part of Suir Engineering, I’ve seen an increase in the focus on personal development, and they actively encourage everyone to progress.
They embrace the concept of lifelong learning and support anyone who wants to acquire new skills, whether through internal, external, or e-learning methods. Therefore, I believe there are significant opportunities for advancement for those who wish to progress within the company.
What do you like about working with Taylor and Fraser?
I’ve already mentioned the variety, even just hearing about the projects you’re not working on directly is fascinating and educational.
I also have to mention the people. At Taylor and Fraser, there is a real team atmosphere; everyone is supportive of one another and keen to help in any way they can. That makes a big difference when you’re working to deadlines and need to call on your colleagues for assistance from time to time.
What do you do outside of work?
I love getting outdoors whenever I can. I love to walk and to take on the Munros; I’ve done around 40 so far. I’m often asked if I have ambitions to do all 282, but I really don’t; I just enjoy getting out and taking in the amazing scenery and beauty that we very often take for granted. As long as I’m able to, I’ll continue to do Munros, and we’ll see where that takes me!
Thank you to Lee for taking the time to talk to us about his experiences at Taylor and Fraser. You are certainly a loyal and valued member of the Taylor and Fraser team. We shall watch with interest to see how you progress with those Munros!
