Shouksmiths Home About Us Our Services Track Record Company overview Company history Our team Meet the guys who make it happen Trade Associations & Accreditations Legal details Meet the guys who make it happen Here we take a look behind the scenes and meet some of the people who play key roles in delivering our projects. We hope you enjoy finding out a little more about them, and discovering what they like to do when they are not working hard for you. Phil Haigh Contracts Manager Phil joined Shouksmiths in 1978 straight from school and started an apprenticeship at the York Division to become a qualified plumber. After completing his training four years later, Phil soon started to progress within the company, working on a range of projects in York and the surrounding area. Over the years Phil has been involved in many aspects of plumbing, from working on housing and apartment projects, to working in schools and hospitals. Phil said: “Each project brings its own challenges and over the years I have seen many changes in the plumbing industry, in regards to both the technology and types of materials we use, and the different skills needed to successfully complete a job, on time and on budget. I have been Contracts Manager at York now for the last 13 years and I am very fortunate to work with an enormously hardworking, reliable and enthusiastic team, both in the office and onsite, who give me their best efforts and good quality workmanship at all times.” Away from work, Phil follows Leeds United when he can. He also enjoys playing five-a -side once a week, but admits that unfortunately the knees are starting to give in! Ken Green Division Director, Maintenance and Refrigeration Division Apprentice trained as a refrigeration engineer in Leeds, Ken has spent his whole career in the refrigeration and maintenance sector and has acquired a vast range of skills and experience along the way. His company KLG Refrigeration were regular subcontractors for Shouksmiths for a number of years until Shouksmiths acquired KLG in 2010 to bring the refrigeration capability in-house. Now responsible for the Maintenance and Refrigeration Division, Ken runs a team of 14 and is closely involved with all elements of the service provided, from estimating and dealing with contracts, to liaising with equipment suppliers, main contractors and end clients. Ken said: “The main thing I enjoy about running the Maintenance and Refrigeration Division is the variety of work we are involved with. From working with clients who run bingo halls, casinos and social clubs to care home providers, specialist manufacturing plants and visitor attractions. We also do a lot of work in the food sector, working in fast food outlets, restaurants and cafés, to providing cold rooms and chilled warehouses for food growers supplying the major supermarkets. I work with a brilliant team of people, both in the office and out in the field, who are all committed to providing the very best service. Whoever we work for, our main skill is delivering effective solutions to a client’s challenges, from installing a new refrigeration system to ensuring their air conditioning is running to its full potential.” Now a grandfather, when not at work Ken enjoys spending time with his family or indulging his passion for motorbikes. He has also been having a go at gliding, so next time you look up into the skies he may be flying past! Matt Carrack Maintenance Services Engineer Matt joined as an apprentice 12 years ago and after training at Leeds College of Building fully qualified four years later. He now travels the length and breadth of the country attending to Maintenance Services' clients, providing both planned preventative and reactive services to their building service installations. Matt said: “What I really enjoy about my job is that every day is different and that I am out meeting customers. When I first started, walking onto a site could be a bit intimidating, but that feeling soon disappeared when I gained more experience. I also received incredible support from the Team, who provided me with a programme of work based training across the whole skill base, which equipped me with the knowledge to deal with the wide range of projects my role demands.” Matt now plays a key role in passing these skills on himself, as when out on a job, he regularly has an apprentice with him. New technology and new systems also keep the role challenging for Matt, who can one day be working on a state-of-the-art installation in a brand new plant room, and the next, as happened recently, be performing a conversion on an oil boiler which was installed in 1955. Matt married Rachel last year, and they are currently settling into their new home in Baildon, near Bradford. Whilst he used to spend any spare time playing the guitar, this is now devoted to decorating, in preparation for the arrival of their baby in August. Now that’s when the fun will really start! Harry Pashby Plumber Harry began working for Shouksmiths as an apprentice in 2004, studying at York College on day release. He fully qualified in 2007 and has rapidly worked his way up the ladder. Harry now often has the responsibility of running a range of smaller projects for the company, working on a variety of developments including refurbishing and modernising social housing in Bridlington and Scarborough, and most recently working on the student accommodation refurbishment at the University of York. Harry said: ‘‘Shouksmiths has given me a great opportunity to work in this industry, and encouraged me to develop and learn new skills. I thoroughly enjoy the different challenges I encounter every day, from working with the site team and our clients, to working out the best way to approach a specific part of each project in the most efficient and effective way possible. I have been on a number of training courses which have been of great value to doing the job effectively including how to deal with asbestos.’’ Away from work, Harry’s life revolves around his love of football and particularly Sunderland Football Club. When he’s not watching the football he enjoys socialising with friends as much as his time permits. Andy Horton Contracts Manager Andy joined us three years ago and has worked in the building services industry since leaving school, starting as an apprentice tradesman, progressing to foreman and then on to contract management. Known as a great motivator of people, Andy is currently focussed on the raft of social housing projects being run by the Sheffield Division, plus some new build and refurbished city living apartments in Sheffield and Bradford. Speaking about his work, Andy said: “My main motivation is to deliver the highest standard of work on time and have a satisfied client. I try hard to create an environment where the workforce enjoys coming to work, and we work together well as a team. Also, the fact that we enjoy lots of repeat business is very rewarding, as it means we all must be doing something right!” Andy lives with his wife Lesley and three children in Doncaster. Keen followers of Doncaster Rovers, the Hortons enjoy travelling all over the country to watch them play. Andy is also involved in the Children’s Arts Foundation in Leeds, recently raising money for them by completing a 33 mile walk. 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