The Devon Club has been born of a recent merger between the Plymouth & Exeter Clubs. This allows us to operate and engage across the Devon region giving members more variety of events and wider opportunities for collaboration.
Our aim is to provide a voice for our members and a platform for industry improvement, advancing knowledge and encouraging collaborative working.
We are looking forward to organising and delivering some great events throughout the year that will appeal to our diverse membership base of clients, consultants, contractors, sub contractors and suppliers.
Latest Devon Club news
CESW Leadership Dinners Foster Critical Discussions Across South West England
Throughout June, Construction Excellence South West (CESW) has successfully convened a series of Leadership Dinners across...
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Meet the Devon Club Committee
Tanya Loosemore - RGB Recruitment - Chair
Tanya joined the company as a trainee recruiter 18 years ago when the business was celebrating its second birthday. Now Managing Director, Tanya plays a pivotal role in the strategic direction of the company.
Having worked in most areas of the business during her career, Tanya has a firm knowledge and understanding of each sector and applies this wealth of experience for the benefit of her colleagues and clients alike.
A key contributor to the sector through her various roles with industry organisations, in particular as Chair for Women In Property – Somerset, Devon & Cornwall and Committee Member of Constructing Excellence Exeter & Devon, Tanya has earned the respect from her peers through her consistent and ongoing support for the property and construction industry.
Peter Everitt - Kier - Vice Chair
Peter Everitt is the current Vice-Chair of the Plymouth Club, having previously served as Chair and successfully guiding the club through its merger with CE Devon in 2021. With over 12 years of involvement in Constructing Excellence, Peter is passionate about the sharing of best practice, practical learning, and promoting the exceptional opportunities available within the construction industry to future generations.
Throughout his career, Peter has worked on numerous landmark projects across the South West, spanning sectors including retail, leisure, healthcare, education, and defence. In his day-to-day role, he is a Regional Bid Manager with Kier Construction, leading bids for high-quality, complex projects across the region.
Beyond his professional role, Peter is deeply committed to industry collaboration and community impact. He chairs the Industry Stakeholder Group for Build Torbay, is a Director of both the Dads Network CIC and Waterborn Hub CIC, and volunteers as an Explorer Scout Leader in South Devon.
Outside of work, Peter can often be found running or paddleboarding along the South Devon coast.
See Peter’s LinkedIn profile HERE
Stephen Homer - Ashfords - Treasurer
Stephen is a Partner and Head of Adjudication and Arbitration Services.
He specialises in construction procurement and contentious construction and engineering matters including projects support and drafting and negotiating construction contracts, court proceedings, adjudications and professional negligence claims.
Stephen has over 20 years’ experience. He has recently acted for a number of major UK Contractors as well as developers, banks, local authorities, utility companies and consultants providing contentious and non-contentious construction law advice in a number of sectors including the energy sector.
Stephen is a construction adjudicator on a number of industry panels, a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and a practising mediator. He is also a member of the Association of Partnering Advisers.
Stephen is cited in Chambers & Partners Legal Directory. Clients praise his “very comprehensive and thorough advice with no stone left unturned.” Stephen is also recognised as a legal expert in Construction law by the Legal Experts Directory and is ranked as a Leading Individual in the 2020 edition of the Legal 500.
Mike Smith - Bailey Partnership
A Director at the heart of Bailey Partnership’s Plymouth operations, Mike is dedicated to the evolution of the built environment. Since 2018, he has spearheaded the growth of the Architectural Team, driving the firm’s ascent within the Building Magazine Top 150 multidisciplinary consultancies.
Mike champions BIM and software integration to bring data-driven clarity to complex projects. Beyond the studio, he is a recognised authority on the Building Safety Act, navigating the intricacies of BSR applications with a rigorous, ‘safety-first’ technical philosophy.
His commitment to the industry extends further as a cornerstone of the Constructing Excellence movement. Having previously served as Chair following the inception of the Plymouth Club, Mike’s continued support in merging the regional clubs reflects his deep-seated passion for collaborative industry progress.
Jack Shepherd - Mathew Edward
Jack is a founding Director of Matthew Edward, an Engineering & Construction Consultancy based in Plymouth.
With over 15 years’ experience across various industry sectors, he began his career in London working on a number of prestigious projects, before relocating to the South West in 2014. He has since developed a strong regional focus, championing quality, best practice and collaborative delivery within the built environment.
Alongside his professional work, Jack is committed to supporting the next generation of engineers, offering guidance and practical insight to young people considering careers in engineering and construction.
As a member of the CESW Devon Club Committee, he seeks to promote professional development, knowledge sharing and stronger collaboration across the regional industry.
Emma Preston - BAM
Emma is a construction solicitor and works for BAM in their in-house legal team. Emma specialises in disputes and has previously acted for clients across the supply chain both locally and nationally on a wide variety of projects. Emma joined the CESW Devon committee in 2024 and enjoys attending events and (occasionally!) delivering training sessions within the local construction community. She is also chair of South West Women in Construction.
Will Squire - Kendall Kingscott
Will Squire is a Project Director with over a decade of experience delivering a diverse portfolio of projects across multiple public and private sectors. Since completing his Building Surveying degree at the University of the West of England in 2014, Will has built his career with Kendall Kingscott, joining as a graduate and progressing through the organisation after achieving his chartership in 2018.
Over the years, Will has worked extensively across education, healthcare, residential development, commercial, and manufacturing projects, developing a well-rounded understanding of sector-specific challenges and opportunities.
Will is particularly passionate about supporting ongoing training and professional development within his teams. Will believes this is a foundation for both individual growth and wider organisational success, and he takes pride in fostering an environment where people feel supported, motivated, and equipped to progress.
Will is excited to join the CESW Devon Committee and apply the skills and knowledge he has developed throughout his career to support the group’s objectives. Equally, he is looking forward to learning from fellow committee members and engaging with a wider network of professionals who share a commitment to driving improvement and best practice within the built environment. Will hopes to play an active role in strengthening our local industry, supporting emerging talent, and championing continuous development across the sector.
James Berry - Bailey Partnership
James Laughlin - SDS
Neil Marks - RSK
As a Chartered Engineer, FICE, MIStructE, Neil, for over 40 years has plied his profession across the South West and beyond. Originally from Weymouth, in 1983 he graduated from the University of Surrey and now lives in Devon. He currently works as a part time consultant for RSK LDE in Exeter having previously led Clarkebond for 8 years until it was sold in Sept 2024. In addition, he has previously lived and worked in Plymouth (DHV, Acer, Aecom) and Bristol (Thorburn Colqhoun, URS, Aecom).
Neil has gained extensive design experience on a number of significant projects in most operational sectors and has led multi-disciplinary design teams on major projects in both the UK and Caribbean. He currently is assisting with the development and broadening of the RSK LDE South West office offer and as a Consulting Engineer, brings a wealth of experience to the CESW Devon Board Committee.
Gabby Stevens - SCF
Gabby Stevens is a Framework Manager at the Southern Construction Framework (SCF), which provides public sector organisations comprehensive support for delivering successful construction projects. Passionate about driving positive change in the built environment, Gabby is a strong advocate for collaboration, innovation, and best practice within the construction industry. In addition to her role at SCF, she is a committee member of CE Devon and also contributes to the future of the sector through her involvement on the Generation for Change (G4C) committee, championing the next generation of construction professionals.
Nigel Whelan - Devon Contrators
Nigel Whelan – Managing Director, Devon Contractors
Nigel Whelan has an extensive and distinguished career in the South West construction industry, having successfully led and grown businesses across the region. He began his career in London as a Quantity Surveyor, quickly developing a strong foundation in construction management and commercial delivery. Over the years, Nigel has progressed through senior roles, culminating in his current position as Managing Director of Devon Contractors, an 80-year-old contractor renowned for delivering projects across Devon.
Under his leadership, Devon Contractors manages a diverse portfolio of projects ranging from £1k to £20 million, encompassing commercial builds, refurbishments, BREEAM-certified developments, and complex schemes in busy public spaces. Nigel’s strategic vision, commitment to quality, and deep industry knowledge continue to drive the company’s growth and reinforce its reputation for excellence in construction delivery.
Nigel now brings his expertise to the CESW Devon Board Committee, contributing his insight and experience to support the wider construction sector in the region.
