October is Black History Month, a chance for us to honour the achievements, culture and the history of black people across the business. We recently caught up with Daniel Taylor, who is currently the managing planner on the Hockley Mills scheme, Birmingham.
Tell us about your role and what drives you?
My role is challenging as I must communicate with all disciplines on any assigned job to develop a robust programme that we can work to in order to deliver world class projects across the business. I also support the region with tendering for prospective projects. I am driven by the need to continually improve professionally and personally; a bigger driver is of course my background as I understand our industry is underrepresented of those individuals of British Caribbean origin. I recognise the big sacrifices made by my grandparents for me to be here, so I feel I’m obliged to make the most of the opportunity I am presented with.
What have been your highlights of the year so far and why?
I’ve only been with the business since May 2019 and I can honestly say, it’s been a memorable year as my first role as the lead Planner on a project. This already being a massive highlight for me as the company believed in my skills coming from an Assistant Planner background, to take the step up and lead one of their major projects in the Midlands region. Not to mention them supporting me in developing further undertaking my Masters in Construction Project Management at Loughborough University.
Tell us your aspirations for the BAME affinity group
My aspiration is to attempt to display the benefits of entering a career in construction from all diverse backgrounds, especially from my own background which isn’t highly represented. I am also keen to reduce the nepotism that I feel plagues the industry in my experience. My aspirations for BAME overall are for the subject/team to be a normal part of conversation in the office without it seeming uncomfortably area for discussion.
What excites you about the company right now and why?
The diverse projects we currently have to offer and the volume of those projects. Also the experience pool of the business really attracted me, the concept of subject matter experts across the business, along with specialist departments for McAlpine Design Group & the BIM team. This shows me that the company has identified key areas that bring value to day to day operations which other companies I’ve worked for haven’t developed.
The ‘Inclusive Value’ project aims to deliver a free-to-use online self-assessment tool to support construction businesses to identify ways in which they can adopt more inclusive workplace practices.
We have introduced the Recite Me toolbar to increase the accessibility of our website. We are currently the only major construction company embracing this kind of technology, helping to set the standard for inclusion within our industry.
Our 150th anniversary celebrations have been hard to miss on a number of sites across the country thanks to the presence of specially produced panels incorporated within our hoardings.
