Joe, how did you get into the construction industry?

I started as a Trainee Estimator, studying at university one day a week and working the rest for four years. From day one, I knew estimating was for me. I love the competitiveness of it, the challenge of winning a job and the relationships you build with clients and the supply chain. It gives you a real sense of ownership. 

What did that hands-on apprenticeship experience teach you about the industry and how has it shaped the way you work today? 

I’d just turned 18 when I joined the fit out industry, so the apprenticeship taught me everything. It gave me insight into every role involved in delivering a project and that’s stayed with me ever since. I learnt empathy and appreciation for everyone’s perspective: the client, the project manager, the subcontractors, etc. Understanding what each person deals with makes you a better collaborator, negotiator and problem-solver. 

As Director, your responsibilities cover both pre-construction and project delivery. Tell us more. 

As Director at DBSJ, I’m responsible for estimating, quantity surveying, winning work and building relationships with new and existing clients. But the dual specialism of both estimating and quantity surveying didn’t happen overnight. After qualifying as an Estimator, I went client-side as a Project Quantity Surveyor for Barclays. That experience was invaluable, as it helped me understand what clients really need and how decisions are made. Then I returned to contractor-side as a QS, and throughout all of it, I never let go of the front-end estimating knowledge I’d built early on. 

What do you see as the biggest benefits and challenges of working across both disciplines? 

The main benefit is having complete visibility. If you’ve priced a job, you know exactly how the cost is built up, how to protect margins and how to deliver value for the client while keeping the programme on track. 

The challenge? Time. Juggling both roles is demanding, but the payoff is worth it. 

Having that dual perspective means you see projects from start to finish. How does that influence the way you approach your work? 

It makes you more proactive. You learn to pre-empt issues, think ahead and go into every conversation understanding where others are coming from. That empathy helps avoid problems before they even appear. 

Can you share an example of a project where that end-to-end visibility really made a difference? 

IWG’s franchise partners and the team at Miss Millie’s are perfect cases where early involvement allowed us to support budgets, value engineer and guide them through the process with confidence.

How do you balance costs, programmes and unpredictable changes when working on fit out projects? 

Partnership is everything. You need strong communication, transparency and a network of trusted subcontractors to problem-solve quickly. When everyone talks openly, solutions come naturally. 

What do you enjoy most about your role and working at DBSJ? 

Working with my family and being part of a business that’s scaling nationally without losing its heart. We lead with integrity and always put our clients’ best interests first. That matters to me. 

Finally, what advice would you give to someone looking to enter the industry through an apprenticeship or a less conventional route? 

Be a sponge. Ask questions, take every opportunity and expose yourself to as many disciplines as possible. The broader your understanding, the better you’ll be, not just technically, but as a collaborator and future leader.