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.
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
It’s a great honour to be welcomed back and be part of the OCL family once again.
I began my journey from very humble beginnings as a facade labourer and rose through the ranks until I had my own installation gangs. I made the tough decision at the age of 25 to start again and was provided with the opportunity to start my professional career here at OCL as an assistant Estimator, which is something I will forever be grateful for.
In 2018 I moved away from OCL to be part of a facade self-delivery team within the main contract world. The time spent at Mace was crucial to my career development and came away with a wealth of commercial, technical & pre-construction experience.
Now I’m back to give it my all, lead from the front and hopefully inspire some of the younger generation to follow in my footsteps. I’m excited for the future & looking forward to collaborating with some amazing individuals.
Hylton works alongside the directors to lead design governance and technical assurance across OCL’s reclad and new-build facade projects, helping to ensure delivery is underpinned by compliance, coordination, and technical excellence. He brings valuable experience from his previous role as a Technical Manager at Berkeley Group, where he worked for five years on complex residential developments and developed a detailed understanding of design management, construction processes, and stakeholder coordination. A qualified architect, Hylton also plays an active role in integrating Building Safety Act requirements into project delivery, supporting the development of robust compliance procedures, clear design accountability, and effective communication between teams at every stage of a project.
Joe started with OCL in 2004 as the company’s Operations Manager before taking the role of Design/Planning Manager in 2009. His involvement in the continued development of the design department has been invaluable. With an excellent understanding of technical processes it is Joe’s role to manage the company’s in-house design teams and external consultant’s to ensure designed elements are delivered on time, within budget and to legislative requirements.
With more than 25 years’ experience in the construction industry and 20 years with OCL, Steve brings a wealth of technical knowledge and practical leadership to OCL. As Contract Manager, Steve oversees the successful delivery of multiple facades projects, working closely with site teams to ensure projects operating efficiently and to the highest standards. Known for his calm approach, strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail, Steve is passionate about supporting project teams and maintaining the quality and professionalism that OCL is recognised for.
He is also a keen advocate for volunteering at the Emergency Homeless Shelter in Basildon.
Andrejs joined the family business in 2006 as a Site Manager. 20 years’ on, Andrejs continues to be an integral part of OCL’s project delivery team. He has progressed from Site Manager to Senior Project Manager and now Contracts Manager, overseeing the successful delivery of OCL’s larger more complex facades projects. His organised approach, technical expertise and collaborative leadership style is one of his many strengths. His extensive experience and commitment to achieving the best possible outcomes make him a trusted leader across OCL’s operations and is now providing his expertise on OCL’s flagship Facades project in Brighton.
Aside from the day job – Andrejs is an avid trekker and has supported several of OCL’s and clients fundraising efforts.
With extensive experience in the construction industry spanning quantity surveying, commercial management and dispute resolution, David has developed a strong reputation for delivering commercial success through expertise, leadership and strategic insight. Having completed a full-time Diploma in Building & Civil Engineering, David began his career training as a Private Quantity Surveyor before moving into main contracting, where he completed a Degree in Quantity Surveying and progressed to the roles of Chief Quantity Surveyor and Commercial Director whilst still in his mid-30s.
In 2007, David established a successful consultancy specialising in dispute resolution, which he led for over 13 years. During this time, he further enhanced his expertise by completing an MSc in Construction Law & Dispute Resolution at King’s College London. Following a short period as an Associate Director for a large consultancy, where he undertook the roles of Forensic Analyst, Expert Witness and Dispute Resolution Specialist, he also completed the RICS Diploma in Adjudication.
Returning to the corporate main contracting sector in 2021, David now brings a wealth of commercial and contractual expertise to the role of Sector Disputes Advisor and Senior Commercial Manager.
“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’.
