Get to know – David Hartill (Operations Director)
Tell us about your experience, have you always been in Building Control, if not how did you get into it?
“From secondary school days, I always wanted to be a building surveyor and left school after GCSE’s to start my further education in building studies.
During, OND, HND and degree, my work experience was always with Building Control but on finishing studies there were no opportunities in Building Control. I subsequently ended up working as a Team Leader in the DVLA selling personalised registration numbers. After many years, a vacancy came up in the LA as a technician and I took a substantial pay decrease to get my foot in the door within my chosen role.
I worked my way up over 18 years in Local Authority, leaving Swansea to work for Powys, covering Brecon to speed up my development and progression. On returning to Swansea as a senior surveyor, I covered everything from purpose build sports stadia, school projects, high rise residential developments and hospital extensions.
At my previous AI, I worked on major projects only. These included 30 storey residential developments, new hospital projects, large office accommodation and multiple, high rise student projects.”
What is your main area of strength?
“Communicating – to both clients and colleagues. This is a critical part of our role and an area I have continually worked on developing.”
What is your favourite project that you’ve worked on?
“Currently working on a large scale Student accommodation that has been designed to passivehaus standard – this is very interesting project and a good design team.”
What’s your view on the future of Building Control?
“Unsure at present with the changes. Having joined the AI world having been in LA for such a long time, I am amazed at the amount of experience with the private sector with the exposure to projects that we all experience. This experience and skill set needs to be fully utilised and my concern with the BSR is that it could unfortunately be under used.”
You’ve recently been presenting CPD sessions to clients around England and Wales, what do you enjoy about these sessions?
“It’s good to meet up with new and existing clients – the fact that clients attend shows their desire to learn and develop. Preparing the presentation can be challenging as I try to ensure that all attendees are engaged and benefit from the sessions. Giving something back to our clients is imperative for our business and a more knowledgeable client base ensures achieving compliance is suitably achieved.”
You head up a very successful growing team in South Wales, what qualities do you think make a good leader?
“Setting example and leading from the front. Being a good communicator, ensuring everyone fully understands their roles and requirements. I like all the team to have a voice and give them the confidence to contribute to ideas. We run the region as a team with no individuals – good recruitment is key to a successful team.”
What do you do to relax outside of work? (hobbies, interests, holidays, events)
“Love my holidays and try to go a couple of times a year. I also enjoy going to the gym and going for a run.
Family time is also important, and weekends are full of netball and football, with me the taxi!”
