Born and raised on the Isle of Dogs in East London, Tony began his career in construction by undertaking an apprenticeship in Plastering whilst embarking on a self-build scheme with the Glengall Self-Build Housing Association in 1985, where he successfully constructed his own home at the age of just 22. Bringing 40 years of experience in the specialist drylining and façade sectors Tony has guided OCL to gain the reputation and success it enjoys today, he now manages and directs the vision and the voice of OCL.
James joined the team at OCL in 2004 as a Trainee Quantity Surveyor and has earnt a wealth of experience in commercial and contract management. Working his way up the corporate ladder James was appointed as Managing Director in March 2022, following 8 years as the companies Commercial Director. James has been the driving force behind the company’s recent rebrand and OCL’s newest venture; ‘OCL Reclad Limited’. He has developed the ability to build and inspire talented teams and now oversees all business operations, people and ventures.
With 19 years’ experience in the construction industry covering new build residential, commercial and refurbishment Tommy has an unquestionable ability to achieve results through influence and collaboration. Since joining the team at OCL in 2004 as a Trainee Quantity Surveyor Tommy has developed a strong commercial and financial understanding of the principles of procurement. As Pre-construction Director it is Tommy’s role to lead, co-ordinate and deliver bid and preconstruction activity for OCL.
Claire joined OCL in 2018 and has over three decades of experience having held key financial roles in commercial and industrial organisations. She is pragmatic and focused and is a skilled project leader and team builder. Claire oversees the entire finance function of the group and manages the finance team, reporting directly to the board. In addition she manages key relationships with banks, auditors and suppliers. As Head of Accounts it is Claires role to ensure that financial records are accurately maintained, the finance function runs smoothly to support the rest of the business and that tax compliance is maintained.
Rebecca brings over 10 years of experience in Safety, Health Environment & Quality (SHEQ), with a deep-rooted passion for construction inspired by her father, the founder of OCL. Growing up around the industry, she was motivated by his journey from dry-liner to business owner. Rebecca is committed to driving safety, quality, and continuous improvement across all projects that the family business work on. One of her proudest achievements is championing the Girls Can Build programme, an initiative developed by the women at OCL to encourage young women to explore careers in construction. Dedicated to building a more inclusive and dynamic industry, Rebecca continues to grow professionally proudly holding the CertIOSH, MCIOB, AIEMA qualifications, while driving meaningful impact through her work and advocacy.
Starting his career as a dryliner in 1990, Mick has over 32 years’ experience in the construction industry. Mick joined OCL in 2003 as Area Manager and was promoted to Construction Director in 2021 after 18 successful years with the company. During his time Mick has built up strong relationships, working collaboratively with project teams and subcontractors, he is instrumental to improving team capabilities and developing future strategies. As Construction Director it is his role to lead and manage the construction team and implement processes and procedures within the business.
Daren is an experienced Operations Director with over 25 years in the façade sector, including 15 years leading complex, high-value projects across various industries. Known for his strategic leadership, integrity, and client-focused approach, he has delivered over £150 million in façade works – on time and within budget – while fostering high-performing, collaborative teams. Passionate about safety, quality, and performance, Daren led his previous team to a four-year accident-free record. He also drives financial strategy, overseeing tenders, contracts, and final accounts. His innovative use of reporting tools and proactive stakeholder management continues to improve project outcomes and reduce delays.
Ian brings over 40 years of industry experience, having worked with leading names such as John Laing, Redrow, London & Quadrant, Weston Homes, and most recently, Berkeley St Edward. He now plays a key role in shaping the performance of our Reclad division, working closely with senior management from pre-construction through to project completion. With deep sector knowledge and a hands-on approach, Ian is committed to driving quality and efficiency across all stages of delivery. He’s proud to join a well-established, family-run business and is excited to support the team in navigating the challenges of the recladding sector.
With over 35 years’ experience in drylining management, Vinny brings a depth of technical knowledge and leadership gained from delivering some of the South of England’s most complex and high-profile construction projects. Throughout his career, he has built a strong reputation for ensuring projects are delivered on time, within programme, and to the highest quality and safety standards.
Vinny’s approach is centred on close collaboration with clients, consultants and site teams to fully understand project requirements and anticipate challenges before they become issues. Known for his proactive, solutions-focused mindset coupled with a “can-do” attitude across the industry, he thrives in fast-paced and demanding environments.
Vinny places a strong emphasis on teamwork, believing that the best results come from trust, open communication and shared accountability. But he also takes pride in mentoring and supporting colleagues at all levels, helping to develop skills, encourage innovation and maintain consistently high standards across every project.
“I am excited to be part of the OCL Facades team and look forward to contributing to the company’s continued growth and success, delivering outstanding results for clients and strengthening OCL’s reputation as a leader in façade and drylining solutions.” – Vinny Walker
“At OCL our people are at the heart and soul of our family business. We seek out people and clients who challenge themselves to be exceptional, and champion that spirit in others”
James Harris, Managing Director
We are committed to maintaining high health and safety standards through every aspect of our business. Our in-house Health & Safety team look after every aspect of our operations from risk assessments and method statements to mental health first aid. The safety and health of our people is a top priority and intrinsic to our values. With OCL’s accident frequency rate ‘AFR’ currently at 0.00 over the past 5 year period, our record speaks for itself.
We ensure that those carrying out duties on our behalf are adequately trained to enable them to understand their responsibilities and be competent in their work. It is the responsibility of the directors to ensure that all persons are aware of their individual responsibilities under our health and safety policy. Our own health and safety manager will annually audit the implementation of our safety policy. To add peace of mind and instil further confidence in our abilities OCL are accredited members of all of the industry leading Safety Schemes in Procurement ‘SSIP’.
