At Pexhurst, we have many people who start with us and go on to progress through the ranks. One such person is Director Lee Stuart who recently joined the esteemed ‘20 years at Pexhurst club’.
We sat down with him to discuss his time at the company…
What is your role and what made you apply for your job with Pexhurst?
Having started in 2005 as a Contracts Manager, I am now a Director at Pexhurst. I previously worked for a tier two contractor that predominantly did enabling works so the idea of focusing on Cat A refurbishment projects – Pexhurst’s ‘bread and butter’ – was something I found really interesting and exciting.
When I went for my first interview, I immediately had a good feeling about the work environment and knew it was somewhere I wanted to work. This family feel hasn’t left despite the company now employing over 60 people.
How have things changed during your 20 years at the company?
The company has grown significantly in the last 20 years, but the biggest shift has been the change in sectors with the growth we’ve seen in the industrial sector. With this, we have seen a huge jump in project value and complexity.
As an industry, there has also been a need to evolve with the ever-changing construction landscape. Over recent years, this has been seen in the increasing awareness of sustainability.
Which project at Pexhurst did you find most interesting?
One that comes to mind as the most interesting has to be the Old Courthouse building in Hammersmith. The client was developing the land alongside the existing building to create an office space, mixing beautiful architectural details and old fixtures with an ultra-modern extension.
What advice do you have for those looking to get started in the construction industry?
The construction industry has so many opportunities that you wouldn’t get anywhere else. The key is working hard and taking pride in your projects from start to completion. If you get good results, you’ll get rewarded, it’s as simple as that.
What do you get up to when you’re not working?
18 months ago, my daughter and I both started learning how to play the drums, so outside of family life and doing DIY around the house, that’s how I spend a lot of my time. Maybe one day we’ll set up a Pexhurst band.
What are your predictions for the future of the industry?
As an industry, we’re going through a period of learning that will continue over the next few years. The focus remains on the move towards more sustainable practices throughout the entire supply chain as we drive towards net zero.
I think there is also a lot of learning still to be done around the Building Safety Act – many people still believe this only applies to high rise buildings but it’s something we need to be aware of across all projects.
I also see there being a big uptick in commercial and office refurbishments as more employers move away from hybrid working patterns and try to entice people back to the office.
What do you think of Lee’s caricature…? Take a look at the other team members’ caricatures here!
Follow us on LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/pexhurst-services-limited/
