12 minute read
Meet the Managing Directors
Photo courtesy of Sexton Green Landscapes
THE IMPORTANCE OF OUTSIDE
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The launch of the new “Landscape project of the year” category at this year’s Guernsey Property and Construction Awards has highlighted the importance of the sector. From small private gardens to large commercial developments, paying attention to outside spaces can transform a property.
Historically, landscapers have been somewhat the poor relation when it comes to construction projects – their input left until late and the importance of their contribution underestimated. But recent years have seen a shift in that approach, with more attention being paid to outside spaces from the very start of projects.
For landscape designer Elliot Green, it’s a welcome development. His company, Sexton Green Landscapes, is involved in many major local projects, including Admiral Park and the redevelopment of La Grande Mare. He’s delighted that the importance of the outside environment is being recognised: “Previously, a development would be submitted to the Planning Department and the planners would add a few standard conditions regarding landscaping to the application. But as the environment has become increasingly important at a public and government level, we have seen a lot more focus by the planners on local biodiversity and its effects.
“In the UK, biodiversity net gain has become a really important concept and that is being reflected in Guernsey. For example, we are currently involved in a project for the first time where an ecological assessment has been done and I’m now having input on the green infrastructure side before it is passed on to the architects. They will then be expected to review our recommendations and implement them as much as possible, which is hugely different to the previous situation.”
On a more domestic scale, horticulturalist Jack Etheridge of
Photo courtesy of Auburn Gardens Guernsey-based Sexton Green Landscapes has recently become the first local firm to be accredited by the British Association of Landscape Industries (BALI).
BALI was established in 1972 to promote and support its members. It has more than 900 accredited members including landscape contractors, landscape architects, garden designers and suppliers.
Its aim is for its members to be the leaders of an environmentally, ethically and commercially sustainable landscape services industry.
For Elliot Green, accreditation has been a goal since he started the firm: “When I previously worked in the UK, I worked for a BALI-accredited firm and it was something I always wanted to achieve for Sexton Green. It offers opportunities for us, and also gives our clients confidence in the firm. We’re delighted to receive the recognition and are looking forward to being involved with the organisation going forward.”
For more information on BALI visit the website www.bali.org.uk
Auburn Gardens has seen a similar move towards early consideration of outside spaces. He says it’s something that clearly make sense: “If you plan the garden at the start of a project, you can potentially save yourself both time and money in the long run. A small tree planted before construction starts will be a lot bigger by the time it finishes. Gardens are not static – when we design and plant we are planning for the years to come. A carefully considered outside space makes all the difference to a property.”
But creating a masterpiece, whether small or large, requires more than just designers and gardeners. Luckily, there is a large skill base across the island, which Jack says is crucial: “We are very much dependent on other industries to make our project work, and that is made particularly easy in Guernsey because of the local network. When I have a problem, there is always a friend I can call to help and I always know who will be the best person for a specific issue. We work a lot with heavy machinery operators, but also stonemasons and tree surgeons and together we can ensure the project gets completed.”
The launch of the new award, and its potential recognition for all of those specialists, has been welcomed by both Elliot and Jack. Elliot has seen first-hand in the UK the benefits of winning an award and says it will be great for Guernsey: “Those involved in the industry are incredibly hardworking and very good at their jobs so it’s fantastic that they can get some credit. Having the ability to win a local award will give everyone something to aspire to, plus it’s always a benefit to a business to win something.” For Jack, it’s a good chance to celebrate what can be achieved in the island: “Landscapers and gardeners generally don’t get the kudos they deserve. A landscaper is multi-skilled – a typical project could see them doing everything from carpentry to stonework to operating machinery. It’s a fascinating job, and hopefully more recognition will not only benefit those already involved in the industry but encourage more people to consider it as a career.”
Nominations are open for the “Landscape project of the year” category. More information on the criteria and how to nominate can be found at
guernseyconstructionawards.com
RG FALLA: TIME FOR CHANGE
On Monday 2 February 1992, Mark Palfrey and Paul Mason both started work at RG Falla in Guernsey. Since then, their careers have taken different paths – but almost 30 years later, they will merge once more. This summer, Mark is due to pass over the reins of the company to Paul when he takes over as managing director of RG Falla. With that handover approaching, they shared their thoughts on their careers, the MD role, and where the company is headed from here.
Mark Palfrey and Paul Mason have spent the bulk of their careers at the Garenne Group. They have just five months in age between them, and similar backgrounds, but have followed different career paths to get to this point. While Paul has been with RG Falla since 1992, Mark moved around the different companies within the group before taking up the RG Falla managing director role four years ago. Now he’s ready to hand it over.
The decision was made at the end of last year that Paul would step up to managing director – have you been in a transition period since then?
Paul: Yes, to an extent, although I have been extremely busy with a major construction project which has been my main focus. Since accepting the role, I have been gleaning as much as possible from Mark to ensure that I am fully briefed in running the company. I have great experience in running large scale projects and need to adapt my skills to run the business. Mark: I am full time in the management position until the end of the financial year, so it’s still my responsibility and my decision making. Paul has been on the board of directors for many years so he’s been aware of the decisions we’ve been making as a board. But there are some decisions that will come good in the medium or longer term and that’s going to be on Paul’s watch, so Paul has been more active in that decision making now as he knows he’s going to be more responsible for the delivery later. But I’m not walking away from the firm, so Paul’s got the support he needs to take on those new responsibilities. It should be an exciting time.
It’s going to be a demanding role, why did Paul want it?
Paul: It’s in my DNA. During my career with RG Falla, I have worked on a variety of fantastic projects in a number of roles, including being a director of the company, so it’s a natural progression. When Mark
said he was looking to step down, it was a surprise and I needed to be certain that I would be successful in the role. I am very much driven by success and my strong loyalty to the company. If you cut me in half, you’d see ‘cream, green and the RG Falla logo’.
Is Paul the right person for the job?
Mark: Absolutely, very much so. Paul has ambition, he has drive, he has enthusiasm, he’s got the knowledge of the company, he’s got the knowledge of Guernsey and of the challenges that the construction industry has. He’s got all the right credentials – he’s in the right place at the right time for the right job and he’s going to do fine.
You both started at RG Falla on the same day, but you’ve taken different paths since then. Does that difference in backgrounds mean you’ll approach the job in slightly different ways?
Together: Definitely.
Mark: I think that’s a positive, because companies need to refresh to be relevant, they need to refresh for the staff to feel that the company hasn’t gone stale. Any individual, no matter how good they are, if they hold the same position for too long, the company can’t reinvigorate itself. So I think it’s healthy. RG Falla has had successions of managing directors but they’ve all grown from within the company so staff can realise there are opportunities and your talent will be recognised. Guernsey is good at being dependable, reliable and traditional – and all those things sit well with RG Falla. We try to take on the most ambitious projects and we deliver them well. We do it with a confidence that we know what we can do because we know what we’re all about. Paul’s got all of that. He’s going to bring his own personality to the role of course – that will be is more of a businessman. So Mark’s leadership and business skills are those from which I have learned the most.
Les Beaucamps School
The Ladies’ College
good. But he’s bound to bring a different style of approach because he’ll bring different experiences.
Paul: Mark and I are different characters but we complement one another. We have a great team led by Mark. Over the past four years, I have been able to observe his leadership skills first-hand, which will stand me in good stead and enable me to reflect on his approach.
What has Paul learned from Mark during his time as managing director?
Paul: Business savvy! My skills are in construction whereas Mark
What has Mark achieved during his tenure as managing director?
Mark: As a company, we’ve built many projects in Guernsey, and we’re really proud of what we’ve been involved with. But over the past four years, and actually even further back than that, the construction industry in Guernsey has had a quiet period with very little States spending. When you’re a company like RG Falla, which is set up to do major projects, and government stops spending it’s
Generali (now Utmost) The RG Falla team on site at Les Beaucamps school (2012)
not ideal. It also coincided with uncertainty in the open market. When demand drops off like that, you have the option to cut parts of the business. But we decided that rather than do that, we’d use the time to invest in training and improving our staff. We’ve been getting ready for the upturn in activity that we are now seeing – and we’ve spent time and money ensuring that our staff are ready. We’ve worked on improving our processes and procedures and I think that we’re a better company than we were four years ago. The current situation (with Covid restrictions) has proven that our model works – we directly employ more than 100 staff, so we can keep delivering a quality service. With the industry now so busy, it’s the right time for a managing director to take over who has all the construction skills.
Does Paul feel he’s taking over a company in good shape?
Paul: Yes. This time last year, when the secondary school projects were cancelled, we had many members of our management staff lined up to potentially work on those, so we needed to find other roles for them. Now we’re in a position where we need to be selective about the projects we take on, and with the States of Guernsey’s promises of major spending, we need to be up front and central when they’re selecting contractors.
The construction industry is expected to be buoyant for the next couple of years so it’s a great time to take over. We’ve got a very good team. As Mark said, part of his role for the past four years was making the team leaner and sharper and getting the best staff. However, I think there’s still work to do there – we can strengthen the team with the right people, so I’m looking forward to achieving this.
You both seem passionate about the industry, is that the case?
Paul: Yes, you need to be passionate in this industry. I’ve got the knowledge, drive, enthusiasm and determination to ensure that every client is delighted on the completion of their finished product.
Mark: It’s probably too late in our careers to start over, but I’ve got no regrets. It’s fun. Stressful fun, but pleasurable. Every day you can stand back and take a look at something and say, that’s a real thing that I helped create.
Paul: There is a reward for your efforts, more so than just getting a salary. I can drive down to Footes Lane, for example, and feel immense pride to see not only the Grammar School but the Sixth Form Centre and the Garenne Stand that RG Falla built. To see people utilising and enjoying something that you and your team has physically created gives tremendous job satisfaction and, for all involved, a great sense of pride.
Mark: Everywhere you drive in Guernsey, you see a place you were involved with building. It gives you a personal attachment to the island and a real pride. As a firm, we’ve been involved with the hospital, the schools, the post office, the sports facilities, the courts, the police station – we’ve built the infrastructure of the island. It’s great to hold that legacy and that brand and I’m proud of it.
