Spec Finish

9 With an entire career dedicated to interior fitting out, Tom epitomises why building relationships is one of the most essential ingredients to ensure success. Described as inspirational and an exceptional leader by his nominator, always taking time to listen to those around him, building trust and respect instinctively and giving the same amount of importance to anyone he worked with. His experience and love of challenging interior fitting out projects, coupled with his project management experience, saw him involved with a wide range of prestigious award-winning projects. Notably Tom worked on two RIBA Stirling Prize nominated projects: City of Glasgow College, City Campus and Forth Valley College, Falkirk Campus. Prior to working with Indeglas, Tom spent 20 years of his career with Swift Horsman and Astins, managing joinery, drylining and multi-trade fit out projects. Tom managed the interior fit out of the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama. This project was ahead of its time in terms of the achievement of BREEAM Excellence, and received an International Award in 2007 being recognised as one of the most sophisticated, acoustically controlled performance spaces of its time. Tom’s enthusiasm has helped to bring in the next generation too, and he has assisted with mentoring of many apprentices. Notably Tom invested considerable time with a young person with autism interested in exploring a career in carpentry and joinery. Through the Multiplex Community Benefits Scheme, Tom helped to create opportunities for two unemployed individuals. The induction and time that Tom invested in training and coaching these individuals meant that both have thrived and remain employed in the industry. Despite retiring at the age of 67, Tom returned to work on two separate occasions to manage site-based installation teams on projects which had both complex logistical approaches and tight construction programmes. Tom’s leadership qualities are exceptional. He is an adept planner and demonstrates the importance of understanding every part of the process in order to find solutions for others to buy into. He would visit suppliers to build relationships, taking the time to find out about production techniques, packaging processes and logistical issues which could affect deliveries - all so that he could speak from experience and foster understanding when the need arose to speed up delivery times. He made sure he knew of the effects for the supply chain of adopting late changes or replacements for damages etc. His delivery team included an entire ecosystem of support which went above and beyond his immediate colleagues. Tom would explain project specific and site specific challenges with suppliers, drivers, security and preceding tradesmen - encouraging them to contribute initiatives to improve productivity and efficiencies on site or assist with logistics. Tom inspired everyone around him to achieve their best as part of a team; firmly instilling the importance of every cog in the wheel, in order to make amazing things happen. One of the most charming qualities Tom possesses is that, above all, he is a quiet, family man who takes obvious pride in the successes of his children and grandchildren while playing down his own contribution and considerable achievements. In his retirement, he spends time with his grandson, helping him to fit out and insulate a garage space to encourage his interest in building and construction. Tom is described as one of the most generous and respected people in our sector; someone that championed the success of others above his own promotion. His attention to detail, not only in the level of workmanship and material finishing he insisted upon but also in the health and wellbeing of his team and the quality systems, drove productivity and ensured successful project outcomes. After managing multiple award-winning projects and celebrating the amazing buildings he has helped create, it is time to celebrate Tom for being the amazing person he is. LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD Tom Russell Retired site manager, Indeglas