What makes this person a rising star?

Dan’s strong planned maintenance background, starting as a Document Controller and then a Resident Liaison Officer before moving to site management, provided varied experience that he uses to maximise the development of others. He joined Ian Williams in May 2021 as a Contract Manager at its Plymouth Office, quickly becoming its local lead (and in-house expert) for social housing decarbonisation projects across Devon and Cornwall. He brought a wealth of experience from previous projects, including a groundbreaking ‘Energiesprong’ net zero pilot scheme for Exeter City Council and a real passion for developing green skills within the industry. He stands out as a Rising Star through his commitment to developing his own learning and skills, completing his NVQ Level 7 in Construction Senior Management (July 2024) to maximise his understanding of the Building Safety Act requirements. He also achieved MCIOB and completed IOSH Level 3.

What impact have he had on the organisation or sector?

Dan has driven forward Ian Williams’ decarbonisation competences, being instrumental in enhancing its ISO9001:2015 processes for net zero projects to ensure legislative and PAS 2035 compliance. He coaches other offices to grow green skills. For example, supporting its Bristol Office to co-deliver its first retrofit project for LiveWest, that has resulted in a further two projects. He made its in-house Academy aware of a nationally funded Level 2 Domestic Retrofit qualification running locally. He is a powerful advocate for women in construction, driving its sponsorship of West Country Women’s Awards 2023 and 2024, and partnered with Plymouth-based charity, Gifted Women. Dan spotted St Germans, Cornwall community group (his hometown) was fighting for a new playpark in 2022, and he took charge, joined the parish council to spearhead the campaign, leading from inception to completion to obtain £85,000 funding.

Why does he deserve to win this award?

Dan’s involvement in retrofit projects and growing the green skills (and confidence) of Ian Williams’ workforce exceeded their expectations. At a recent Inside Housing’s ‘Retrofit and Strategic Asset Management Summit’, he shared learning with their senior management team to better support the Government’s Net Zero objectives. His colleagues confirm the impact he has made, such as his adept people skills, inspiring people to do the right thing, treating everyone fairly yet holding them accountable to improve the team’s culture. He considers everything and everyone when planning and delivering retrofit projects, and is passionate to provide a great service for residents.

What do you see him contributing in the future?

Dan’s enthusiasm, dedication and pro-active attitude, will see him continuing to add real value to Ian Williams, the sector, and local communities. Dan will be pivotal in supporting, coaching, and mentoring local teams to have the right green skills in place to grow their capacity and capability to deliver social housing retrofit projects. He creates a safe working environment and encourages colleagues to step outside of their comfort zones, fundamental to learning new skills and gain experience for net zero projects. Personally, he aspires to further develop his green skills, recently enrolling for a Retrofit Co-ordinator qualification. Dan also wants to continue advocating gender equality where male involvement is key to changing mindsets, being pivotal in making Gifted Women the Plymouth Office’s nominated charity in 2024 with its local team raising £3,000. He wants to continue local employability workshops to support women from multiple disadvantaged background access the work, including planned maintenance. Ian Williams consider him an asset to its organisation.