David Gutierrez was recently elected the new FMB London Area President by his fellow Area Board members. A bricklayer by trade, here Ifan Glyn finds out what makes him tick, his passion for the industry, and find out about his favourite building in London.
Question: How do you feel about being elected the London President?
Extremely honoured and privileged. This is my chance to help the London region progress and to make a difference.
Question: Can you describe your construction journey to date?
I went to college at 17 to become a bricklayer. I was there full time for a year, and then moved on to do an apprenticeship in Reigate with a company that specialised in heritage work. I ended up doing an advanced level three in Winchester, part-funded by the company and part-funded by me. I specialised in arches and became very interested in stonemasonry and lime work. By the age of 20, I was a supervisor. The money was good, but I wanted to have more multi-trade skills, and, at the time, supervising was too hands-off for my liking.
The company had some work going, so they subcontracted it to me. In 2004, I established my own company, Amic Ltd. The market was pushing me away from heritage work and more into mainstream construction. I developed a reputation as a meticulous builder who delivered on quality, and because of this, I started receiving good jobs through architects - that’s how the business grew at the beginning. I wanted to do things differently and would pride my company on delivering exceptional customer service and looking smart and professional; from the branding on the vans, to the clothes we wore. I demanded that of all my employees. I did go into commercial work for a bit; for example, we did a sports bar at the O2 and the changing rooms at Leyton Orient F.C., but my heart was in making people’s dreams come true within their own homes. Working in the private domestic sector is not always plain sailing- far from it (!), but the process of co-creating with good clients and seeing their faces when they see the finished product, gives me a massive buzz- it always has.
Over recent years, I joined up with a business partner to establish Nest Building Group. I am running this business co-currently with Amic. Having a business partner gives me a bit more flexibility to do more to promote our industry through the FMB, which I find very rewarding.
Question: What do you love the most about our industry?
I love so much about this industry. It’s an underrated and misunderstood sector. You find so many diamonds in the rough. I just love creating and seeing the fruits of your labour before your eyes. I also love the idea of creating something that will far outlive me; it’s my way of leaving my footprint on the world. Working in construction feels like a cheat code. There are so many opportunities out there; many of them far beyond your imagination when you start out.
Question: In your eyes, what is the key challenge facing our industry, and what needs to be done to tackle it?
The lack of skills is a major issue affecting virtually all the members I have spoken with. It’s so hard to find the right people and once you do, to keep them. There’s definitely a lack of interest in the industry amongst youngsters. There are so many myths out there that we need to quell.
For example, I recently went to a school to promote construction careers amongst year eight pupils, and during the session, I asked the students to put their hands up if they thought that builders are poorly paid. Every single child in that room put their hand up. Much more needs to be done to change these misconceptions.
A key part of that for me, is that we need to further professionalise the industry. It’s just wrong that any Tom, Dick or Harry can call themselves a builder, regardless of competence. I’m therefore a big advocate for the FMB’s Licence to Build campaign. It’s just too easy for cowboys to operate in this sector and too often we’re tarnished with the same brush. This turns youngsters off. They want to work in a professional and prestigious industry. Licensing would elevate perceptions, and by default, we’d attract, and better talent.
Question: What is it about the FMB that you value?
I’ve been a member of the FMB since 2012. Initially, I joined for credibility, which I guess is why most companies join. A few years down the line I was involved in an FMB TV advert; I had never done anything like that before. There were half a dozen or so other members involved on the ad, and that was my first experience of mingling with other members - people going through the same day-to-day stresses as me. That day of filming, I fell in love with the FMB. I’m still in regular contact with most of the members that I met that day.
Shortly after that I applied for a place on the London Board, and was lucky enough to be voted on by my fellow members. I have met so many brilliant people through my involvement with the FMB. So to directly answer your question, what I value the most about the FMB are the wonderful people that I have met.
Question: What do you want to achieve during your presidency?
I want to play my part, and lead the London Board in playing its part, in building up FMB membership numbers. Considering how many building firms that are out there, we should have more members. The way we sell membership has vastly improved, but I still think we could improve. We need to make more use of our members to promote the FMB, and I’m very pleased that steps are being taken in this regard.
I’m super excited about the soon-to-be-launched FMB shop; if all our members displayed FMB banners on their sites, used FMB brollies and so on, it would do so much for our promotion. I’m also glad that we are now super focussed on digital marketing, social media and so forth; it’s the best place to promote now days. I’m really keen that London members feed in their ideas on further promoting the FMB. I’m talking about the London Board and the wider membership here. As a president, I want to promote blue sky thinking. You have to be bold and innovative. I will never disregard an idea.
I would also like us to do more to promote construction to the next generation. We can’t leave it to others; it’s in our hands. I’m very enthusiastic about a CITB-funded project that we are running with Shooters Hill college that is about to get off the ground.
Under my leadership, I want the London Board to be proactive. We have to play a good game, not just talk one. We meet as a Board every couple of months, but the important work takes place in-between the Board meetings.
I’m also keen to create more networking opportunities for members in London. We recently trialled a networking event called the Hard Hat Hangout which was sponsored by Abilo. We have another one coming up on 10 October, and then another either before the end of the year or in early next year. I will advocate for more of that.
The licensing campaign, which I’ve already mentioned, is something I’m very passionate about, and I will work with fellow members and FMB staff to keep pushing for it in the corridors of power.
Lastly, I’m also keen to work with other Area Presidents and Area Boards. If there’s a good idea in the South West, in Northern Ireland, or in the Northern Counties, let’s share it! I’m hoping the new FMB app will help with bringing us closer.
Question: What’s your favourite building in London and why?
St Pancras station - hands down. The attention to detail in the brickwork, is just remarkable. Whenever I go there, I always take my time to marvel at the craftmanship. It’s an odd thing, but even in the middle of all the hustle and bustle, night or day, I’m always calm when I’m there - it’s weird!
Question: On your last day on earth, how would you spend it?
Family means absolutely everything to me. I would spend it with my family, in El Palo, near Malaga, which is where my family is from. We’d have a lovely meal and I’d be drinking Mahon beer.
Authors
Ifan Glyn
Ifan is the Director of FMB Cymru and in addition heads up of the FMB regional and devolved nations team. He is also a member of the FMB Senior Management Team. Ifan holds an MA in History from the University of St Andrews and an MSc in Welsh Government and Politics from Cardiff University.
