January 2008 - New Deputy Director at P H Warr plc

P H Warr plc is delighted to announce the promotion of Simon Smith to Deputy Director. Simon, previously a Managing Surveyor based at P H Warr’s Southampton office, moved to the Bournemouth office in the New Year to oversee the South West region of the business, following a decade of successful work with the firm. Simon’s progress at P H Warr reflects

Simon Smith of P H Warr plc

the company’s commitment to promoting internally. Philip Warr, Managing Director comments: “We are delighted to be able to offer the current promotion to one of our existing staff. During his time at P H Warr, Simon has shown an outstanding commitment to the business. I have every confidence that he will continue to build upon this success and will form an intrinsic part of the business for many years to come.”

Instrumental in the Southampton office’s development, during his four years working there Simon has assisted in expanding the team, acquiring centrally located premises and developing a more extensive and diverse workload.  

Having managed a number of high profile projects on behalf of P H Warr, Simon is fully prepared for the challenges which lie ahead in his latest role. Simon’s most recent notable project within P H Warr was the construction of two high dependency care homes in Romsey, for Leonard Cheshire Disability. This innovative development was the first new build scheme undertaken by Leonard Cheshire Disability and will provide assistance and care for people with disabilities for years to come. The two million pound project was successfully managed by Simon and completed in August 2007.

Commenting on his plans for this year, Simon confirms that the team will be looking to build on the affordable housing work which P H Warr is already involved with. He comments: “The Government has set a target of 45,000 new affordable homes by 2010/11. This is a significant number which must be achieved in a relatively short period of time, especially in build terms. We have guaranteed that we have the necessary teams of Environmental and BREEAM Surveyors available to assist clients’ in attaining Government targets. Changes within building regulations, particularly the Code for Sustainable Homes and BREEAM assessments, require specific knowledge and expertise which we are able to offer.” 

The Code for Sustainable Homes, which is graded on six levels, measures the energy efficiency of a building including the construction methods utilised within new homes. The levels are measured at design stage and again once construction is complete, requiring surveying professionals such as P H Warr to be involved in the whole process.

A seasoned professional, Simon predicts: “With the present financial and Government pressures, the private market appears to be slowing down. Instead there is a significant requirement for affordable housing, not only through set Government targets, but independently as well. Whilst P H Warr will continue to be active in all key market sectors, the need for affordable housing will form a focus for our Bournemouth office.”

He continues: “P H Warr has an excellent reputation within this sector. My aim is to guarantee that P H Warr is the preferred choice by registered social landlords. Enhancing existing and developing new relationships to increase this level of work will be a fundamental part of my role this year. I am keen to forge relationships with referrers as well as clients directly. I am fortunate to have such a strong existing base to expand from.”  Simon identifies some of the key referrers as commercial clients, private developers, existing clients, housing associations, hotels and restaurants – customers that P H Warr has already and continues to work with.

A volunteer for the RNLI, Simon has been a lifeboat crew member for over eight years. Needing to be on call 24 hours a day when in the area, Simon has had to excel in his organisation and team skills not only in his role at P H Warr, but externally.

Aware that his new role will require him to continue to recruit enthusiastic and inspiring members to the team, Simon’s extensive experience in Southampton and with the RNLI will prove crucial. Familiar with supervising new recruits in both roles, Simon is aware of the individual qualities and training necessary to build successful teams.

Concluding by commenting on his promotion, Simon says: “I am very pleased to be returning to Bournemouth and taking responsibility for the South West region on behalf of P H Warr. I look forward to the challenges ahead and will be focusing on growing this division over the coming years.”