Linden builds strong connections in the Midlands
Fourteen-months ago, contracts manager Linden Blackwood set about growing the East Midlands office after joining Hodgson Sayers in search of a healthier work-life balance, and a new challenge.
Was it a good move, we ask? “Absolutely, it’s one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.
“In my last role, I was out of the home 12 to 14 hours a day. I have three young boys and I want to see them grow up so having an office 15 minutes away is great. Everyone’s happier,” Linden said.
Thanks to his 20 years’ experience as a roofer, site manager and contracts manager in the Nottingham area, Linden is well-connected in the local construction industry. This is paying dividends for building up a secure client-base.
He explains: “Through contacts we have quickly won new work and – most importantly – ongoing work from key clients including Nottingham City Homes, Newark and Sherwood District Council and South Holland District Council.
“They’ve chucked a little bit of work our way to test us and as a result of being very happy with what we’ve delivered, they’re now erasing previous contractors and putting more projects our way,” said Linden.
How is the East Midlands office doing?
“We’re absolutely flying. Snowed under with work, which is great. It’s expanding rapidly – much faster than we expected.
“We’ve formed a strong relationship with Newark & Sherwood District Council. We’ve re-roofed 45 of their social housing units to date along with 4 large blocks of flats. After initially giving us work to span the 2023 to 2024 tax year, they have now upped that to ‘plus 1’ which means we have guaranteed work until the end of the 24/25 tax year.
“We use local, expert labour and local suppliers, wherever we can, and we care about doing the best job possible. It seems to work very well.”
What’s been your favourite project so far?
“The external refurbishment of four blocks of flats called Winston Court was a great job for a few different reasons. There were lots of intricate elements that needed looking into and thorough research, so it was interesting.”
The contract, worth £280,000, saw Linden and his team – which included a site manager, a concrete removal specialist, two bricklayers and a number of roofers – remove Finlock concrete guttering and install new timber work, facias, soffits and guttering along with removal of the existing roof covering and replacing with new, whilst topping up the insulation where required.
What’s next?
“We’ll continue doing what we’re doing and building up a healthy pipeline of work. Whilst expanding our footprint within the Midlands region.”
