CONCERTUS - Key Persons
In his role, Andy leads all matters relating to contractor relationships for both framework and Design and Build projects. This extends to procurement, performance, and business development activity across the Concertus Group. He holds the responsibility for the overall management of our construction frameworks, leading procurement strategies, listening to our clients' requirements and providing construction solutions with a view to achieving beneficial, best value outcomes.
Andy has a wealth of construction experience, spending 32 years of his career working primarily with Regional Contractors in various roles including Estimator, Senior Quantity Surveyor, Senior Design Manager, Key Account Manager, Senior Development Manager, and Preconstruction Manager.
Andy shares his knowledge with his team and works collaboratively to provide innovative solutions tailored to meet clients' requirements. His practical understanding allows him to join the construction process to the design process, facilitate clients' strategic requirements, whilst providing a holistic overview of end-to-end delivery.
Job Titles:
- Associate Director
- Lead Consultant
Charles' role involves having responsibility for the Key Account Management of Concertus' key clients. In this role, Charles provides regular progress and financial updates on the status of over 200 live projects, at various RIBA work stages, for many different clients across a wide area. Key aspects of his role include providing links across directorates, sharing best practice and lessons learnt to develop and enhance relationships.
In addition to Key Account Management, Charles plays a significant role in ensuring the quality of design outputs and information being issued to clients.
Through his early involvement with clients and their projects, Charles is instrumental in assessing the project brief. He utilises his experience and creative skills as a Senior Architect to provide solutions to challenges and guidance on early options for discussion and progression.
Charles carried out his 10 years of work experience with Suffolk County Council. He then returned to Suffolk County Council's design department for placements during his time studying for a degree in Architecture. Charles has progressed from a CAD Technician through to Assistant Head of Architecture, Associate and now Associate Director.
Mildenhall Hub is a project which Charles is particularly proud of. As Lead Consultant, Charles led a full multi-disciplinary team to design and deliver a national exemplar project. This project includes provision of council office accommodation, a health centre, library, leisure facilities and a secondary school.
Darren is a dynamic and focused individual with over 20 years of experience in the construction industry. He is a great motivator and strong leader who promotes talent.
A highly competent professional and chartered member of the Institute of Architectural Technologists, Darren is known for his ability to establish positive relationships quickly.
Having started his career in Structural and Civil Engineering, Darren moved into retail development, site management, and then into Architecture. He joined Concertus as a Senior Designer from Suffolk County Council's Property Department and has progressed into senior roles. He is now enjoying his role as Associate Director.
Darren successfully manages the Multi-Disciplinary Design Consultancy Framework for Central Bedfordshire Council and the Professional Services Framework for Milton Keynes Council.
Job Titles:
- Associate ( Architecture )
With over 30 years' experience in the private and public sectors, David heads up a team of professionals that at any one time can be managing the design and implementation of around 90 projects.
He brings bundles of optimism to the team and has a fantastic ability to get the best out of a situation. He is a good teacher, driving and guiding the individuals who work within his studio to deliver continuous improvement in the quality of their design information. He also takes a keen interest in what is going on and works with his team to deliver an architectural solution that not only meets the needs of the clients, but is also a functional building for the end user; whether a school, library or care home.
To build and develop the confidence and self esteem of individuals who work in his team, David has introduced a weekly design critique session. During these sessions current projects are presented by the designer and then discussed as a group. Input is encouraged from participants on how the scheme can be improved in order to deliver a better solution.
David started his career at Suffolk County Council in 1992 and his work has been very varied and diverse since then. He cites his favourite projects as Ormiston Endeavour Academy in Ipswich and two Haverhill schools, Westfield Primary Academy (which won best public sector building at the Suffolk Property Awards) and Clements Community Primary School (which won the RICS Eastern Region Community Benefit Award).
Job Titles:
- Associate ( Civil Structural Engineering )
David has over 20 years of experience in structural and civil engineering design, site management, CDM co-ordination, and project management. He excels at delivering designs in an economic and sustainable manner, ensuring the expectations of our clients are not only met, but exceeded.
The Structural and Civil Engineering team has been led by David since its inception. David has developed the team, with a strong focus on quality and a collaborative approach, to deliver optimum results for our clients.
David's project experience includes the structural and civil design for a large programme of works to annexe buildings at Suffolk primary schools, to a value of £22 million. By integrating with the wider design team, David ensures he connects the design and construction processes to provide solutions which meet the client's and contractor's needs. David's projects range from the structural assessment of building defects, through to extensions and alterations, and up to new build schools, offices, residential and industrial schemes.
As well as the ability to deal with complex and strategic issues whilst remaining commercially aware, Duncan brings extensive skills and expertise in customer service and change management to the Concertus team.
Duncan is responsible for chairing the board of directors and representing the interests of its shareholder. He sees his role as providing counsel and guidance to the senior team, as well as ensuring the ongoing aims and direction of the business are challenged and well thought through.
He has over 25 years' experience holding director roles in both the public and private sectors, and this has led to him developing a specialism in business and strategy development, performance management and service turnarounds. Duncan's public sector experience has been developed in periods of significant organisational change and in response to local government reorganisation. He therefore understands the key challenge of delivering improved, highly rated services in periods of significant uncertainty and financial pressure - a challenge faced by all our clients.
He brings this experience to the leadership of Concertus to help ensure it is responsive and sensitive to clients' needs.
Glen is responsible for leading the Architectural team in our Matlock office. As part of his role, he resources and manages the team to ensure all projects are delivered to budget and programme.
Renowned for building excellent rapport with clients, Glen develops a deep understanding of their needs and aspirations to achieve the best possible results. Glen has overseen projects covering a range of sectors, which employ both modern and traditional building techniques. With a keen interest in sustainability, conservation, and the natural environment, Glen tries to incorporate sustainable materials into his designs and encourages his team to follow suit.
Glen consistently delivers outputs of the highest quality. He is a brilliant team player who shares his comprehensive technical knowledge with colleagues and clients.
One of Glen's greatest achievements to date was the successful delivery of Paxman Academy - a new 900-place school. Our client, Essex County Council, has adopted Paxman Academy as an exemplary school because of the economic design and functionality of the building. The project was shortlisted from over 460 outstanding projects for the prestigious RICS Social Impact Awards and commended in CIAT's AT Award for Excellence in Architectural Technology.
Glen would love to be able to build his own house one day and has considered adding bricklaying and carpentry to his skill set to enable him to complete this exciting project.
Guy is part of the RICS East Midlands Board and is a member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, the Chartered Institute of Building, and the Chartered Association of Building Engineers.
Guy has over 20 years of experience in the construction industry and has worked in various surveying roles. Guy's background has seen him progress his career from Building Surveying to leading professional services teams as a Managing Consultant.
As an Associate Director, Guy is a relationship manager for Derbyshire County Council and leads the surveying and project management teams at Concertus. Guy thrives on being able to form positive working relationships and has extensive experience in successfully delivering a wide range of projects in the public and private sectors. Before joining Concertus, Guy has played a vital role in delivering projects for numerous County, Borough, and District Councils in the East Midlands.
Guy's key strengths are his skills in managing the commercial aspects of appointments and being able to successfully deliver programmes on time and within budget.
Job Titles:
- Vertas Group Chief Executive Officer
Ian Surtees MBA FIoD joined Vertas Group in September 2014 having spent 30 years working within the facilities management arena. Ian has worked within total facilities management organisations across Europe and the UK and has successfully delivered multi-million-pound projects as an operations director and project lead.
Ian has also been selected as one of the most influential people in Suffolk as part of the Suffolk 100 2022, and after studying for two years, was awarded his MBA in early 2017.
Job Titles:
- Associate ( Commercial Management )
Jess is a highly accomplished professional who has made significant contributions to the success and growth of Concertus in the East Midlands region. With considerable knowledge and experience in construction and procurement, Jess has been able to provide invaluable support to clients and has played a vital role in developing innovative design solutions that have led to successful project completions. She is most proud of the work that has taken place at Glossopdale School, where she undertook an employer agent role.
As an Associate (Commercial Management), Jess is responsible for developing and implementing commercial strategies aiming to accelerate growth, leading and identifying new business opportunities, building strong relationships with clients and managing third party consultants. She has a keen ability to understand the unique needs and requirements of each client and works tirelessly to ensure that the services provided by Concertus meet and exceed their expectations. Jess's creative thinking, positive outlook, and ability to produce unique solutions have set Concertus apart from its competitors and have contributed to the company's reputation for delivering high-quality services.
Jess is a highly skilled and dedicated professional with expertise in commercial management, procurement, and client relationship management. She also has a background in Quantity Surveying and holds a BSc Hons Quantity Surveying & Commercial Management degree.
Job Titles:
- Quantity Surveyor
- Associate ( Project Management, Estates Development )
Joe leads the Estates and Development teams within Concertus, ensuring workstreams are delivered efficiently and effectively. He works closely with our clients, providing clear and concise advice and guidance on how they can maximise the financial return on projects.
Since joining the company in March 2019 as a Project Manager, Joe has been involved in over 40 residential schemes, taking them through pre-planning, application, and masterplan stage. These schemes have ranged from smaller developments between 10-50 units, to more complex village schemes of 1,300 units. Joe also has experience of on-site project management of construction projects with one of the projects he has managed being Thurston Church of England Primary Academy, a 420-place school with a 30-place pre-school.
Prior to joining Concertus, Joe trained as a Quantity Surveyor before moving into Project Management, working with M&E Specialists and Building Systems companies. He has worked alongside national home builders in successfully delivering multiple development schemes with construction values in excess of £100 million.
Joe's key strengths include identifying other's strengths and weaknesses, then implementing strategies to work on weaknesses and use strengths to the team's advantage.
Job Titles:
- Associate ( Energy Sustainability )
Having worked in this rapidly evolving industry for over 20 years, Karen has gained valuable experience in multiple sector environments. Karen provides leadership and support to the Building Services team to ensure mechanical and electrical projects are delivered to the highest standard.
The approach Karen takes with her projects is ‘no project too big or too small'. By minimising energy use, cost and the programme through creative solutions, Karen manages clients' expectations to leave a lasting impression which benefits the local community.
Karen was determined to become an engineer from a young age and, as a result, is now keen to inspire the future generation of young engineers. She plays a fundamental role in the introduction of new STEM ambassadors and has been involved with CIBSE YEN (Young Engineers Network) for over 10 years, alongside her position as regional CIBSE Treasurer for over 8 years.
Job Titles:
- Associate Director
- Associate Director ( Building Services )
Kerry has worked as our Associate Director (Building Services) since February 2024. He is an exceptional leader who guides the Mechanical and Electrical team and oversees many projects related to heating and ventilation, lighting and acoustics, plumbing, power supply, and building management systems. His efforts contribute to the efficient use of buildings.
He has extensive experience working with organisations such as Lorne Stewart, Eastern Electricity, SpectrasiteTransco, and Telnk. He started his journey as an Apprentice Electrician and has held various roles, including Project Manager and General Manager. He was previously the Managing Director of Ceetech, a leading mechanical, electrical and maintenance services provider in Suffolk.
Kerry's level-headed approach and unique ability to break down difficult tasks into more easily understandable sections and targets make him a reliable and analytical professional who can deliver results. He is excellent at building rapport with clients and building lasting relationships.
In previous roles, Kerry has experience working with Concertus and has fond memories of working on a Waste Transfer site in Ipswich, which provided a challenging environment with complex services.
Job Titles:
- Associate ( Architecture )
Having joined the business in 2009, Laura's main focus is now on the operational aspects of the Architectural, Landscape Architecture and Interior Architecture function within the business.
Laura has a keen eye for the finer details and has a skill at being able to see the bigger picture when presented with complex project work. She is a great teacher and thrives on being able to get the best out of those around her.
Over the years, Laura has been key in the successful delivery of multiple high-profile projects across various counties including Mildenhall Hub, the Skyliner Sports Centre, and Kingsland High School. Due to her incredible organisation skills, she has also supported the roll out of the Schools Organisation Review programme for Suffolk County Council, which has resulted in multiple primary schools being adapted to fit the two-tier system.
Laura has worked with multiple different public sector clients, from individual public bodies down to individual departments within one body, such as the former Forest Heath District Council, West Suffolk County Council, Suffolk County Council and Suffolk Police.
Job Titles:
- Associate ( Building Services )
Matt has gained valuable experience over 20 years working in multiple sector environments and has an extensive background in electrical engineering. Having joined Concertus from Derbyshire County Council in September 2020 as a Principal M&E Engineer, Matt now leads a team of mechanical and electrical engineers from our Matlock office - helping to deliver multi-discipline capital projects and Building Services specific maintenance projects.
Matt thrives on ensuring his team delivers work to the highest standard and drives those around him to make sure all possible solutions are being looked at to give clients the best possible outcome and best value for money. Since joining Concertus, Matt has been involved in several key projects but his work at Harrington Junior School has stood out. The new school build has provided a modern, functional, and safe learning environment for the pupils and staff of Harrington and has been the largest project to date since the opening of our Matlock offices.
Matt is also a Member of the Institution of Engineering and Technology and is currently working toward his chartership.
Job Titles:
- Associate Director
- Quantity Surveyor
Natalie is a highly proficient Quantity Surveyor who excels at client liaison. Her strong communication skills create positive working experiences for her clients and colleagues.
Natalie's colleagues benefit from her invaluable support and, as a result, she has been recognised by her peers in Concertus' Exceptional Service Awards. In 2019 Natalie was presented with our ‘Exceptional Team Player' award for being a key point of contact for all disciplines, ensuring our teams work in collaboration to deliver the best results. The following year, Natalie was announced as our Platinum Winner and in 2021 won our ‘Exceptional Resolver' award.
Since joining Concertus, Natalie's successful management of our Quantity Surveyors and Project Managers has resulted in the teams increasing in size and skill set diversification before she focused on the Cost Consultancy department. Natalie applies her organisation and time management skills to ensure projects are resourced effectively and that her teams' outputs are of an exceptionally high standard. Known throughout the business as an outstanding problem solver, Natalie enjoys finding solutions to make sure clients' briefs are fulfilled and projects are delivered on time and to budget.
Job Titles:
- Associate Director
- Lead Consultant
- ARB Registered Architect
Paul is an ARB registered Architect with over 20 years of experience in the construction industry. He is involved in the development and piloting of off-site construction techniques to deliver speed, quality, and cost-effective solutions.
Whilst studying for his part 2 and 3 Architecture qualifications, Paul worked as a graduate Architectural Assistant for Derbyshire County Council. Paul qualified as an Architect and then progressed from a Project Architect to Senior, Principal, and now Associate Director.
As an Associate Director, Paul manages a multi-disciplined design team and is a Key Account Manager for Derbyshire County Council. Paul is known for his ability to form positive working relationships quickly, allowing him to deliver multi-disciplinary projects which meet our clients' needs. He is also an excellent problem solver who shares his skills and experience with his clients and his team.
Aldercar High School is a project that Paul is particularly proud of. As Lead Consultant, Paul led a multi-disciplinary team to deliver a phased new build replacement of the existing high school, working around a live school environment.
Job Titles:
- Associate ( Architecture )
- Chartered Architect
Steven is responsible for leading the Architecture and Landscape teams within Concertus. His responsibilities include overseeing project work while developing programmes of work with the design leads within the business. As part of his role, he also has responsibility for Key Account Management of Concertus' key clients.
Steven is a Chartered Architect and has been with Concertus since 2016, starting as an Architect before working up to an Associate in 2023. Steven has a keen eye for detail and consistently delivers outputs of the highest quality while sharing best practices with the business. Before joining Concertus, Steven worked in Bury St. Edmunds, where his work saw him focus on historical and domestic properties. Following this, he moved to Colchester and worked on projects in and around London, working for developers and clients including Imperial College London.
He is most proud of delivering innovative and new types of work for Concertus, including BaseTek, which was highly commended at the 2022 RIBA Craftsmanship Awards and large-scale Passivhaus Care Homes. His work on projects such as Marigold House and Steppingley Road has seen him featured in national magazines as a key player in that sector for his knowledge and experience.
Thomas is our Operations Director, with his focus predominately on our work taking place in the East Midlands.
In his role, Thomas is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the business and overseeing our professional services within the Matlock office. He has a keen eye for detail and looks to advance service offerings within Concertus at every opportunity.
Thomas started his career at Portsmouth City Council as a graduate Building Surveyor before moving to Hamson Barron Smith (Norse/NPS). His most recent experience saw him join Currie & Brown as an Associate, before becoming Air Operations Director at Currie & Brown Aero where he was key in launching a global aerial surveying division that included hubs worldwide; utilising unmanned aerial vehicles for land and building surveys.
One of the things he is most proud of in his professional career is Project Managing the replacement of the HV and LV power infrastructure and distribution at St George's Hospital in Tooting. This involved the complete replacement of its sub-station, HV distribution, LV distribution, 5MVA generators and cabling. All of this was done whilst keeping the Lanesborough Wing, consisting of seven theatres, PICU, SCBU, and various other critical care units, fully operational.