Benjamin Downing Hons

Background

About Benjamin Downing Hons

I've been working in construction for over 24 years, starting with Fitzpatrick Contractors, working on design and build, and traditional build contracts. Then as a Consultant for Adeo. Whilst working for Adeo, clients included; Kellogg Brown & Root - working in a commercial team dealing with the supply and renewal of Temporary Deployable Accommodation for the Army to and from Iraq. Next was for Amec, working on behalf of Thames Water for the replacement of service and mains pipework in South London. Since joining Apollo in 2006 (within the housing division) and later Keepmoat (merger) in 2012, I have worked on a number of Decent Homes and refurbishment contracts, both open-book partnership and traditional forms of contracts. This included valuing works on basket lump sum and schedule of rates. I have also had involvement with Green Deal and Energy Company Guarantee Funding that Keepmoat were providing. I have also worked in high security environments such as Broadmore Hospital. After 10 years with Apollo/Keepmoat, I joined RG Group in May 2016 as part of the Sainsbury’s account. I worked on a design and build contract constructing a new Sainsbury’s mega store in Redhill. This provided exposure to the demolition and reconstruction of a new store with basement and high level car park, new Travelodge and Gym. It was always a wish to experience developing, so when the opportunity to join Berkeley Homes was presented to me, I jumped at the chance. I joined Berkeley Homes (Eastern Counties) which work predominantly around the Sevenoaks and Tunbridge Wells regions in Kent. I was employed to initially procure the new 46 Plot, 5 storey apartment blocks with an adjoining 3 storey Link Building in the final phase of the Royal Wells Park Development. I took commercial responsibility for the remaining 11 houses, as well as the demolition of the marketing suite and procurement of the substructure and superstructure for the new 12 Plot apartment block to take its place. Following this, I was the Commercial lead working on a 313nr Plot Development in Paddock Wood, which involved a strict conservation programme, protecting trees and habitats for bats, birds, mice, newts and badgers. There was also a complex natural water network - including swales and attenuation ponds - that required strict monitoring and managing to prevent water contamination. I am currently Head of Commercial with Forefront Utilities Ltd (Ferns Group of Companies) working on national gas networks and organisations to repair, renew, refurbish and maintain the country’s gas infrastructure.