Our People
Andy Collins – Managing Director
Andy commenced his career as a Trainee Quantity Surveyor with regional refurbishment specialist VAT Watkins Ltd and progressed to the position of Senior Surveyor before leaving in 1989 to join fit out specialist NICO, based in London. In that same year, Andy joined ISG Interior Exterior plc, specialising in fitting out works.
As a founder member of ISG, Andy grew with the company, witnessing rapid growth to a turnover in excess of £500m, progressing to the position of Divisional Financial Director for the Refurbishment Division which from a standing start in 1995, was turning over £130m, employing 140 staff members by 2004.
Andy joined Connaught in 2004 as Managing Director, adopting a hand on approach to running all aspects of the business, utilising many of the skills gained working alongside fit out refurbishment specialist and maintains many cost consultants and client relationships gained whilst working for main contractors.
Brian Hope – Contracts Director
Brian joined Connaught in 2006 as Contracts Director, following over 6 years management experience working within the raised floor industry providing a Contracts Management role for both Bathgate and Atlas Flooring.
Brian has been responsible for the management and delivery for significant Connaught successes including recent projects at a major new Data Centre in the Docklands, IPC Magazines, HP Wynard and Standard Chartered Bank.
Chris Read – Business Development Manager
Chris joined Connaught in 2008 after working in Internet Development & Publishing in Madrid. Chris' background is primarily based on working in the Telecom and Internet services sectors, it was whilst working in Telecoms he spent time in Data Centre's and Comms Rooms and the design and development of them. This knowledge and contact base has helped Connaught expand its market share in this field and become recognised as a leading installer of Data Centre flooring across the UK.
Initially Chris split his time between our Estimating and Commercial departments. Chris now heads up our Business Development targeting new contractors for us to work with, new products to offer our clients and plays a key role in our tender documentation and presentations.
Chris Walton – Procurement Manager
Like Leigh and Rod, Chris also joined Connaught in 1992 and has progressed from installer of repute, via management of our transport requirements and most recently to his current position of Procurement Manager. Chris works closely with our project managers and our supply chain, calculating precise material requirements for all our projects. Chris also manages our warehouse stock of materials for our Supply Only side of the business so that we are able to provide and instant response to any enquiry, be it a 20,000ft2 Communications Room to a replacement second hand panel to match an existing system.
Jenny Freeman – Accounts Director
Jenny qualified as a Chartered Accountant at Arthur Anderson in 1996. Her formative years were spent in Corporate Finance with BUPA until joining Connaught in 2005. Jenny has developed our accounting systems and procedures alongside our accountants and is responsible for the smooth running of our Accounts department.
Leigh Bridges – Projects Director
Leigh has been with Connaught since inception in 1992 and has progressed through the ranks from installer to Procurement Manager based at Head Office and most recently, following promotion to Project's Director, taken responsibility for our prestigious £2.6m fit out of the new Eurostar Terminal at St. Pancras International.
Leigh works alongside Brian Hope and shares overall responsibility for the Construction elements of our projects.
Rod Hughes – Senior Project Manager
Rod joined Connaught in 1992 as a Raised Access Floor installer. Rod quickly progressed to the position of Project Manager before becoming a Senior Project Manager in 2006. Rod has developed a no fuss, dependable and "can do" approach, bringing a wealth of knowledge to all his projects and is often requested as a pre-requisite to manage projects when entering into final negotiations when securing projects.
Rob Linay – Estimating Manager
Rob joined Connaught in 2003 and is responsible for the management of our estimation department from receipt of tender information through to submission of prequalification documentation and tenders. Rob has spent time with Kingspan Access Floors and Durabella, bringing with him a wealth of knowledge in both raised access flooring and specialist timber finishes. Should your enquiry be large or small, Rob and his team will be pleased to help.
Sharon Bull – Office Manager
Sharon joined Connaught in 2006 following 30 years with Barclays Bank Plc where she progressed to the position of Branch Manager. Looking for a change in career, Sharon joined Connaught utilising her skills gained with the Bank to take responsibility for our internal systems and procedures and was instrumental in helping Connaught gain accreditation to both ISO 9001. In addition Sharon takes responsibility of our Insurances, maintenance of our Credit Insurance, deals with production of Prequalification Documentation and works closely with our Accounts Director Jenny Freeman.
Trevor Markham – Commercial Manager
Trevor joined Connaught in 2007 as Commercial Manager, following time spent most recently as a Senior Financial Manager providing his services for ISG Interior Exterior PLC, where he worked with Andy Collins on projects up to £14m in value and StructureTone where he fulfilled the role of Senior Estimator.
Trevor has a wide based of experience gained through working in a number of different roles for first class main contractors. Skills that Trevor has gained through working for companies of this calibre means he is aware of the type of detail required in all aspects of our clients works an able to provide detailed documentation at a level expected from a specialist trade contractor.
Please take some time to read through the rest of our website, check some case studies or find the solution which is right for your current or upcoming project. Should you have any queries please don't hesitate to get in touch where we will be happy to help answer and questions or provide you with a quotation.
