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.
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.
After previously serving as OCL’s commercial director between 2005 – 2014, Richard returned to the business in 2019 to head up the companies commercial team Richard holds a BSc in Quantity Surveying from Anglia Ruskin University and has held various management roles with large scale specialist façade and drylining contractors for over 25 years. With strong commercial and negotiation skills, it’s Richards focus to strategically expand, preserve and improve commercial procedures, standards and policies throughout the company. To manage and mentor the commercial team and offer financial direction and instruction to the project teams to ensure they understand key aspects of the contract.
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.
Steve joined OCL in 2006 as Contracts Manager and has consistently overseen the construction and delivery of the company’s largest contracts. Steve is a natural leader, his key attribute is his ability to foresee problematic issues and quickly solve them to ensure projects under his remit continue to run smoothly. It is Steve’s role to oversee OCL’s site management teams and the detailed specification and construction of allocated projects. To identify critical path issues and monitor build programmes.
Andrejs joined OCL in 2006 as Site Manager following 5 years in the trade as a dryliner, he quickly rose through the ranks to Senior Site Manager before taking the role of Contracts Manager in 2022. Andrejs is highly motivated and well organised and his flexible approach ensures that projects receive adequate resources and expertise to achieve exceptional quality within agreed timescales. It is Andrejs’s role to oversee OCL’s site management teams and the detailed specification and construction of allocated projects. To identify critical path issues and monitor build programmes.
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.
At OCL we recognise our duty to preserve the environment. To this end OCL has adopted a philosophy of ‘beyond minimum compliance’ at all levels of our operation to ensure that environmental impacts are reduced as far as practicably possible. The need for urgent action to reduce carbon emissions from the construction sector has been put into sharp focus and our visions are aligned with that of the World Green Building Council which requires deep collaboration throughout the supply chain to ensure that there is a radical transformation in the way buildings are designed, built, occupied and deconstructed.
OCL have and will continue to implement best practice principles for reducing our carbon emissions by 2030. As we transition we also recognise the value of offsets as a means to compensate for and neutralise the impacts of the construction sector, and to facilitate positive social and environmental impact in pursuit of overall net zero emissions.
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’.
