Tim Pond

As the winner of the ‘Industry Professional of the Year’ award at the recent Guernsey Property and Construction Awards, Tim Pond was recognised for his achievements in the sector. His role as projects manager at Ravenscroft Construction Ltd means that his job varies every day – but, as we found out, his life outside of work has been just as eventful.

Having spent the first decade of his working life in the army, when Tim left the armed forces his path led him into the construction industry.

“Like many people, I did struggle at first with getting back into civilian life. But luckily a friend suggested that I start a carpentry and joinery apprenticeship and my new career blossomed from there.“

“The industry was a good fit for me from the start. I really enjoyed the work and the process of creating something tangible. I’ve also never enjoyed spending too much time inside so the practical, hands-on nature of the construction industry has always suited me well.”

Like many of those who have settled as adults in the island, Tim didn’t arrive on Guernsey expecting to stay long-term. But 20 years on, he’s a well-established part of the community with a deep love of the island.

“I came across for a job working as part of a team on a construction project, and I loved the island from the start. I was working six days a week so on the Sunday I would get up early and walk around different sections of Guernsey. I’ve always had a real passion for the sea and being on a small island where I could access different coasts was wonderful to me.”

Having fallen in love with the island, Tim then fell in love with his now-wife, Nikki, and within a matter of months had moved to the island permanently. He says it was a decision he’s never regretted.

Having been self-employed for many years, Tim started his current role with Ravenscroft Construction Ltd around six years ago and says it’s a great fit for him. As projects manager, he has responsibility for ensuring that the company’s sites are running efficiently.

“The job doesn’t tie me down to an office as the majority of my time is spent outside visiting our sites and ensuring that our teams know what needs to be done as well as making sure everything is in place for the projects to run smoothly. I hold regular progress meetings to make sure I can gauge our progress against the programme and report back to the client.” “Every day is completely different with multiple different tasks. One day I can be writing a programme for a new job or doing a risk assessment. On another I can be contacting our client and their architect to discuss the end of a defects period and finalising a project. That variety keeps the role really interesting, but it’s always with the same end goal in mind, a successful result for the client.”

Tim is involved at all stages of the project, using the experience he has gained throughout his years in the industry to ensure that Ravenscroft’s projects are completed successfully.

“I cover the full spectrum of a project, from the initial tendering process to the end product. It means that with some projects I can be involved for a couple of years – seeing it progress from its infancy through to completion. I find that really rewarding and I’m constantly taking photos as we go along to show the progress. Every day is different, which is exactly what I want – if two days were the same it probably wouldn’t be the job for me.”

“I also genuinely enjoy the pressure that comes with the role. I like being in the middle and balancing what the client wants and what we need to achieve on site and liaising with all the parties to achieve that.”

But while his job often involves ensuring the client is happy, for Tim it is just as important that his team is happy.

“I get real enjoyment out of seeing our staff enjoy their work – and if I can facilitate that, I feel like I’m doing my job well. When I’m on site and my colleagues seem happy that is rewarding for me. I’ve been in their shoes and I understand the trials and tribulations that go along with it so I always try to help as much as possible. I still clearly remember the days when I was instructed on a daily basis, so I’m glad I can now pass my experience on to others.” I GET REAL ENJOYMENT OUT OF SEEING OUR STAFF ENJOY THEIR WORK – AND IF I CAN FACILITATE THAT, I FEEL LIKE I’M DOING MY JOB WELL. WHEN I’M ON SITE AND MY COLLEAGUES SEEM HAPPY THAT IS REWARDING FOR ME. I’VE BEEN IN THEIR SHOES AND I UNDERSTAND THE TRIALS AND TRIBULATIONS THAT GO ALONG WITH IT SO I ALWAYS TRY TO HELP AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE.

FOR TIM, IT’S CRUCIAL THAT HE HAS THE PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE TO BACK UP HIS MANAGERIAL ROLE. BUT HE’S AWARE THAT BEING IN CHARGE DOESN’T MEAN HE HAS ALL THE ANSWERS.

For Tim, it’s crucial that he has the practical experience to back up his managerial role. But he’s aware that being in charge doesn’t mean he has all the answers.

“I haven’t just learned the theory, I’ve done the job and that makes a real difference when I’m speaking to the staff on site. When there are issues I can empathise with the situations they are in and help work out what happened, why it happened, and what the solution might be. But I’m always open to new ideas and input from the team. When I was working on site I learned myself how important it was to work collaboratively, and I hope that’s an ethos I’ve passed on to my team. It doesn’t matter whose idea it was, it just matters that the end product is right.” Tim’s dedication to the role was recognised with his recent award at the Guernsey Property and Construction Awards. Having previously been a finalist in the category, he was delighted to collect the trophy.

“It was a surprise to be nominated again and be a finalist, let alone win. I was very overwhelmed by the recognition and absolutely delighted. I think my success shows that my peers and my clients are happy with me, which is a great feeling. I always try to be approachable with both clients and staff and hopefully that has had an impact.”

“At the end of the day, I just want the clients to be happy. I’ve had clients tell me that the finished product we’ve produced looks better than the CGI plans they were shown at the start – that’s a successful project for me, and that’s why I enjoy what I do.”

IT WAS A SURPRISE TO BE NOMINATED AGAIN AND BE A FINALIST, LET ALONE WIN. I WAS VERY OVERWHELMED BY THE RECOGNITION AND ABSOLUTELY DELIGHTED. I THINK MY SUCCESS SHOWS THAT MY PEERS AND MY CLIENTS ARE HAPPY WITH ME, WHICH IS A GREAT FEELING.

LIFESAVER

Well-known locally within the industry for his day to day role, Tim is also a familiar face to many in the community. A keen sea swimmer as well as a passionate supporter of the Priaulx Premature Baby Foundation (PPBF), his fundraising efforts for the charity have been impressive.

In the summer of 2019 Tim swam from Jersey to France to raise money for the PPBF. It was an amazing effort in itself, but even more so considering that the year before he had been seriously ill.

“In early 2018 I ended up in intensive care in the UK in an induced coma due to pneumonia and sepsis. At one stage I couldn’t walk, talk or eat. It was a very difficult period for me and my family, and I’m very grateful to have mainly recovered from it now. It certainly gave me a fresh perspective on life and the importance of prioritising my family.”

Tim admits that the traumatic experience did affect him, and says that swimming has been a lifesaver in more ways than one. “When I got ill, the doctors said that my regular sea swimming helped keep me alive as my lungs were so strong from the training. Once I was back home in Guernsey and recovering, I was very keen to get back into the water. Five months after being in hospital I got back into the pool with the disability swim group. I managed eight lengths that first time and was absolutely exhausted, but I was determined to build my strength back up.”

Tim certainly managed that, training until he was ready to manage the 14-mile swim from Jersey to France in 11 hours in August 2019 – a feat that he is believed to be the first Guernseyman to achieve. But having met that goal, he hasn’t stopped swimming.

“I get up early every day and try to swim before work. I aim to be in the water at around half past six so that I can get to site just after seven. It’s definitely good for my mental health – it’s a bit of a release, and the best way I can think of to start the day. While I still have days where my health is affected, I feel lucky to be here and be alive, and swimming is my way of celebrating that.”