St. Modwen 30 Years : A Generation of Regeneration 1 | Page 58

ST. MODWEN | A GENERATION OF REGENERATION | IN GOOD COMPANY ST. MODWEN | A GENERATION OF REGENERATION | IN GOOD COMPANY Trentham La kes, Stoke- on-Trent In good company In good company CONSULTANT Andrew Catmur Director Andrew Catmur Engineering Ltd “Over many years they have acquired land that others saw no value in or considered too risky. They are now successfully redeveloping that land to provide homes and businesses. They have a long-term vision combined with the strength of purpose to deliver.” I first started working with St. Modwen on the Trentham Lakes project on 13 August 1995. I have now worked on over 100 projects with them both in Halcrow and at Rodgers Leask. I adore the problem solving that is required to deliver their sites. Every site is different and each one throws up new challenges, often ones that require innovative and elegant engineering solutions that cross many disciplines. St. Modwen projects are like piecing together a complex jigsaw puzzle and the harder they are the more one enjoys it when all the pieces are finally in place. I have had a relationship of absolute trust with St. Modwen built up over many years working together on a very wide range of projects. If things go wrong on a project, as sometimes they do, the team all roll up their sleeves and solve the problem together to move the project on. When you are constantly pushing boundaries issues will arise and the positive attitude that is exhibited is what distinguishes a great company from a good company. St. Modwen’s projects are often large and complex and redevelopment takes many years in many phases. This requires all the team to think long-term with clear roles. St. Modwen really values the commitment, passion, innovation, loyalty and hard work that their consultants bring to the table. ham dge, Birming llege, Longbri Bournville Co POLITICIAN Richard Burden MP for Birmingham Northfield For a hundred years, Longbridge was not only a byword for car making – one of the defining industries of the twentieth century but it has also been central to the identity of this part of Birmingham; part of its culture and the way people thought about themselves and their communities. “It is good to have them as partners on Longbridge’s climb into the future.” So the collapse of the former MG Rover plant in 2005 was a huge blow, not only to the economy but to the self-confidence of local people. Therefore redeveloping the site has been about rebuilding an identity and a community’s self-confidence as much as the massive physical scale of the challenge involved. St. Modwen’s and St. Modwen Homes’ – role in taking this forward has been and remains pivotal, from the reclamation of acres upon acres of industrial land to the construction of new homes, a town centre and the attraction of new businesses. The Company has also been pivotal in proactively engaging with local people both directly and through their representatives. There is still a long way to go until the project is complete but it is important to recognise how much St. Modwen has contributed. It is good to have them as partners on Longbridge’s climb into the future. St. Modwen has very strong leadership, clear business direction from a core of highly experienced staff with the minimum of internal politics. This ensures that the St. Modwen team and the wider professional team remain focussed on their long-term goals. Over many years they have acquired land that others saw no value in or considered too risky. They are now successfully redeveloping that land to provide homes and businesses. They have a long-term vision combined with the strength of purpose to deliver. 58 59