Our People
As with any trade or service industry, we are only as good as the people who work for us. CWO is therefore fully committed to training, not only for the masons on site and in our workshop who form the backbone of our organisation, but for every single person within the business from management to administration. This commitment is reflected in the quality of work carried out by CWO, the projects we have carried out and the awards we have received.
Malcolm Diamond MBE, Chairman
Malcolm joined CWO in May 2004 as Chairman, having been recruited by the Osborne Group to help grow the business. By 2006, the CWO management team was in a position to negotiate an MBO which was completed in October 2006, and the Company has since nearly doubled in size over the past three years.
Malcolm is also Chairman of Trifast Plc, senior NED of Dechra Pharmaceuticals Plc, NED of Unicorn VCT 11 Plc investment fund, and a partner in Soundscape Environmental Structures LLP.
“I can honestly say that amongst all the companies I have worked with over the years, the CWO team have given me the confidence and motivation to support their quest to be widely acknowledged as the best in the UK Stone construction and renovation / conservation sector for as long as I can personally add value to their growth.”
Bernard Burns, Managing Director
Bernard, originally trained as a carpenter, started as a Trainee Site Manager with Geoffrey Osborne Ltd in 1981. Bernard transferred over to CWO in 1991 when it became a member of the Osborne Group, working his way up to Managing Director. Bernard is closely involved with all our major projects, taking a hands on approach where necessary.
As Managing Director he is responsible for our Growth Strategy, operational effectiveness and key client development.
Adam Stone, Technical Director
Adam, originally from York, worked with Rattee & Kett, The Department of the Environment and ran his own masonry business, before moving 'down south' in 2002 to join CWO. Adam was promoted to Technical Director in 2007 and now splits his time between the workshop and various sites. Adam has a strong background in conservation and is fast becoming somewhat of an expert in cantilever staircases and hard landscaping.
David Baily, Operations Director
David has twenty one years experience in the construction industry. Moving to CWO in '91 he gained valuable conservation and restoration experience, before leaving to gain management experience with leading blue chip construction companies. David returned to CWO as London Manager in '08, with responsibility for all projects within the London sector. In '09 David was appointed to the Board as Operations Director. He is responsible for London client development & CWO's two year 'Fit for the Future' supply chain & site efficiency improvement strategy.
Gill Hooper, Director of Finance
Gill is the most recent addition to the CWO team, having joined in May 2007. Gill came from a construction background, but the position still proved quite a learning curve due to the recent MBO and the nature of the systems at CWO. Gill's knowledge and experience have proved an asset to the business, and as head of the finance team she is responsible for cash management and the installation of our new Sage operating system.
Kevin Smith, Surveying Director
Kevin spent his formative years with the Osborne Group, commencing with them as a Trainee Quantity Surveyor in 1981. He left them in late 1992 and joined CWO to assist Bernard with the financial and surveying disciplines. Having progressed over the following years to Commercial Manager, he was appointed to the Board in 2007, shortly after the MBO. As Surveying Director, Kevin supports the surveying and commercial aspects of the business.
Colin Dent FCIOB, Business Development
Colin joined CWO during the latter part of 2010 having spent a number of years with several larger contracting organisations throughout London and the Southern Counties. A Chartered Builder by qualification, Colin has held senior positions including those at Board level, including a five year spell at the Osborne Group in the 90s. Colin has been responsible for the successful growth of profit centres within these organisations and more recently, for the development of new business opportunities and marketing.
Andrew Bonner BSc (Hons), Projects Director (HRP)
Andrew joined CWO in May 2004 after a 20 year career in masonry. With an extensive practical and academic background in construction, Andy is at home managing a wide variety of construction projects. Presently Director in charge of collaborative projects at the Historic Royal Palaces, in the last seven years Andy has also developed a track record for successfully managing our private new-build residences and numerous conservation projects for the Royal Household.
Paul Collins BSc (Hons), Estimating Manager
Probably one of the most experienced Estimating Managers for stonework in the UK, Paul works hard every day to ensure that CWO plans challenging projects at competitive prices, without sacrificing our high quality standards.
Richard Mitchell, Operations Manager
Richard has been with CWO for over 40 years, since being our first apprentice in 1965. Now Operations Manager and Senior Contracts Manager for our Small Works Division, Richard is highly sought after by Clients for advice on stone design and specification.
John Rye, Contracts Manager
John is a highly experienced Contracts Manager who partners with Richard Mitchell in controlling our Small Works Division based in Chichester, and again is popular with Clients who rely on John for advice and guidance.
Danny Rushman, Contracts Manager
Danny is one of our senior Contracts Managers, capable of handling a broad range and size of projects throughout the South and Kent. In addition Danny has also built up good experience in estimating on small to mid size tenders.
Richard Edser, Senior Quantity Surveyor
Richard has been with CWO for many years as a Senior QS whose experience is highly respected, especially with our larger, more complex successful projects.
Kevin Symonds BSc (Hons), Senior Quantity Surveyor
Now a Senior QS, Kevin has developed his career rapidly over his past four years with CWO since joining as a Trainee, and now works on key projects, mainly in London.
Duncan Ansell BSc (Hons), Quantity Surveyor
Duncan graduated from Bournemouth University with a degree in Building Conservation Technology in 1996. Since then he has worked principally within the building conservation and restoration industry in London. Since joining CWO in 2010, Duncan has been based in the London Office, near London Bridge, in an estimating / quantity surveying role for most of the London small works projects.
Sabrina Aldridge, Assistant Quantity Surveyor
One of our more recent colleagues to join our professional QS team, Sabrina is now firmly established with a number of key clients, and continues to develop her knowledge of specialist stonework.
Martin Pullen, Senior Draughtsman
As Senior Draughtsman, Martin ensures that our clients' designs are converted to accurate production and fixing drawings, along with masonry templates. Martin is trained in 3D CAD software that is essential for some architects.
Steve Langton, Buyer
Steve joined CWO in May 2009, having previously worked for Creightons PLC as Supply Chain Manager. Prior to that Steve had worked for Ibstock Building Products, where he gained technical qualifications in Heavy Clay Production, Energy Management, and NEBOSH H&S and Environmental Management. Steve manages our entire group purchasing and sourcing, thus controlling our bought in costs and improving our supply chain efficiencies.
Cathy O'Brien, Training Co-ordinator
Cathy joined CWO in 1999, after a break in her career to bring up her family, having worked for Bernard when both worked for the Osborne Group. When Cathy joined the company her role was as PA to Bernard although, with the ever increasing emphasis on training within the industry gradually taking up more and more of her time, in 2005 Cathy’s role became one of Training Co-ordinator responsible for training throughout the business and recently administered CWO's successful accreditation with IIP, awarded in September 2009.
Sara Stuart, Reception
With a smile for everyone, Sara not only manages reception but provides administrative support to the entire Chichester based management team.
Gary Collings, Site Manager
Gary has been with CWO for the past 13 years, having previously worked for Szerelemy & Triton Building Restoration. Gary started with CWO as a Fixer Mason and has been involved in several notable projects over the years including Brompton Oratory & the Queen's Gallery at Buckingham Palace. Gary was site manager on the award winning Relocation of Temple Bar & was a Finalist at the CIOB Construction Manager of the Year Awards 2009 in the Restoration Category for the restoration work to the Monument for the City of London Corporation.
