Dorset

Dorset Club

The Constructing Excellence Dorset Club has recently been revived and we are intending on creating a strong and thriving hub within Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole.
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View the list of Dorset Club Members

ADP Architecture
BCP Council
Bennington Green
Bournemouth Property Association
C G Fry & Son
Hastoe Housing Association
Magna Housing
MC Plan & Site Services
Morgan Sindall
Reeves James
Rollalong
RPS Group
Space Industries
Stepnell
Thorpe Engineering Consultants

The Constructing Excellence Dorset Club has recently been revived and we are intending on creating a strong and thriving hub within Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole.

We will focus on all that is best about the Construction Industry and the diverse array of challenges that we face on a daily basis, with a particular emphasis on the talents and interesting projects that are occurring within Dorset.

The wider county of Dorset will continue to play a part in our programme and we will collaborate with neighbouring Clubs and aligned groups within our geographical area.

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Meet the Dorset Club Committee

Robin Thorpe, Thorpe Engineering Consultants Ltd - Chair

Founding Director of Thorpe Engineering Consultants Ltd

  • Chartered Civil Engineer
  • ICE Health and Safety Registered
  • Chair of Constructing Excellence Hampshire
  • Board Member of Constructing Excellence in London and the South East Steering Group

Robin is passionate about collaboration and innovation and this is reflected in his position with the Constructing Excellence movement. Robin has developed expertise in the efficient use of timber, steel and concrete for building structures. Robin has experience in major residential and commercial buildings and now specialises in the structural transformation of existing buildings.

To me engineering is all about problem solving; it is fundamentally a creative discipline and often the best solutions come from working as part of a team. There is always more than one solution to a problem and the right solution is the one that adds most value to the project.

Engineering is the application of maths and science to shape the built environment. Too often engineers focus on the maths and overlook the context within which the structural elements are being deployed. The maths is generally the easy part; it is in the application that engineers can use creative solutions to add value.

Chris Reeves, Reeves James - Vice Chair

Solicitor and Chartered Builder (FCIOB)
Member of RIBA Adjudication Panel
Member of RICS LVD panel
Member of the Technology and Construction Court Solicitors’ Association
Trade background

Westminster All Parliamentary Group on ADR – speaker on construction sector

Specialties:
Solicitor and Mediator
Construction dispute resolution
Dual qualified FCIOB FCIArb
ADR Group and RICS Accredited Civil & Commercial Mediator
CIArb and CIOB Accredited in Adjudication

Reported cases:
Wilson and Sharp Investments Ltd v Harbour View Developments Ltd [2015] EWCA Civ 1030 (13 October 2015) Court of Appeal: Absence of pay less notices and contractor insolvency

Dixon & Anor v Radley House Partnership (A Firm) & Ors [2016] EWHC 2511 (TCC) (17 October 2016): High Court rejects attempt to end case over ‘wrong’ court fee payment

Dixon & Anor v Radley House Partnership (A Firm) & Ors [2016] EWHC 3485 (QB) (17 October 2016): High Court awards indemnity costs

DR Jones Yeovil Ltd v The Stepping Stone Group Ltd [2020] EWHC 2308 (TCC) (04 September 2020): Payment of retention, transferred loss and defence of counterclaim

DR Jones Yeovil Ltd v Drayton Beaumont Services Ltd [2021] EWHC 1971 (TCC) (19 July 2021): application to amend after limitation period, Mastercard basis of amendment

 

Andy Musselwhite, Greendale Construction

Andy joined Greendale in September 2004 as Contract Manager / Quantity Surveyor and was invited to join the board of Greendale Construction on 1st January 2013.

Andy trained originally as an Apprentice Carpenter and Joiner with DF Blanchard (Salisbury) Ltd, spending time on site and then progressed to Joinery Manager and later to Contracts Management and Senior Surveyor. In 1999, Andy achieved a Higher National Certificate (HNC) and became a member of the CIOB, receiving Fellowship Status in 2009.

Andy is the Director responsible for Health & Safety within the company and is involved with Construction Excellence South West. He also sits on the board of The Building Safety Group (BSG).

 

Peter Ward, Footprint Architects

Peter Ward is the founder of Footprint Architects Ltd, and has been a registered architect for nearly 20 years. He specialises in the education sector and has a wide range of experience in private residential housing, leisure, commercial and hospitality projects. He is passionate about architecture and design and has an extensive knowledge of design and construction processes and a particular interest in innovative building materials.

He is a registered RIBA Client Advisor specialising in the education sector and has completed several multi million pound school projects over the last 10 years.

His vision is to create a bespoke practice focused on contemporary design that harnesses the skills of a group of talented staff. His mission is to bring high quality, well considered architectural solutions, to every project, that enhance the experiences for those who work and live in the spaces we create.

Since establishing the practice in 2009 he has developed a bespoke business that approaches every new project with a vigour and intent to maximise the design potential, and exceed client expectations.

Peter is committed to the delivery of a high quality service and in investing in the latest 3D technology enabling clients to experience their projects at the early design stages.

Peter studied at the University of Plymouth before gaining experience in practices in Australia, Hampshire and London. Peter has realised multimillion pound projects ranging from works to private residences, office developments, school and further education projects as well as a contemporary riverside hotel in his home town of Christchurch, Dorset. 

 

Paul Read, Magna Housing

Paul joined Magna in 2017 to restart our ambitions to provide new affordable homes to rent and buy. In addition to Paul’s role at Magna he is supported by the organisation in his Dorset LEP Board position and as Chair of the Constructing Excellence South West Construction Clients Group.

Having worked on the front line of housing management, for house builders and construction companies focused on both new build and repairs and maintenance into the housing sector.

These insights have enabled Magna to realise the business case to expanding our routes into delivering homes by using both the best in traditional construction alongside our new capability that sees us now manufacturing consistently high quality homes to ever higher environmental standards.

 

Rob Speirs, Stepnell

Rob is the director responsible for leading  Stepnell’s Southern operations, managing teams at Wantage, Poole and Southampton. He is also our Director responsible for Health and Safety.

Building upon Stepnell’s reputation for delivering high calibre buildings and exceptional client service, Rob has steered the business through an exciting period of growth in the south, securing a series of significant and high profile developments and overseeing their successful completion.

 

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