Clarendon Road, Watford

Peter Christmas, MRICS

Associate Director

What expertise and background do you bring to the table?

Having started my career working for a Tier 1 main contractor working within the education, retail and rail sectors, I offer a range of experience from various sectors within the industry and specialise in the tendering and procurement of forward-funded construction projects. I work closely with clients to ensure the delivery of their vision is realised. I have significant experience in setting and managing project budgets, starting from acquisition through to project completion. Additionally, I possess an astute understanding of contract administration, with several years of experience in carrying out the Employer’s Agent/Contract Administrator role across multiple projects.

Can you outline the responsibilities of your role?

In my role at Circle, I have a hands-on approach to managing the commercial team. I ensure that the team maintains high standards at all levels of the business. On a day-to-day basis, I am actively involved in the delivery of projects, with a constant focus on ensuring that the clients’ key KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) are at the forefront of the project team’s priorities. Additionally, I manage our key supply chain members and maintain critical relationships to facilitate project delivery and keep the Circle team ahead of industry advancements.

Describe your experiences and growth at Circle?

I have been a part of the Circle journey since the very beginning, contributing to multiple sectors and focusing on delivering commercial services from pre-acquisition all the way through to project completion. My background as a Quantity Surveyor and Employer’s Agent, managing complex forward-funded developments, has positioned me to take a leading role in Circle’s commercial team.

What brings you joy outside of work?

I’m a keen sportsman, spending my weekends trail running and getting out to enjoy the weekends either on two feet, or two wheels alike. I also love exploring the UK and Europe whenever I get the chance on camping trips, usually not too far away from my Wirehaired Vizsla! Skiing is also among my other hobbies, making Circles annual trip a personal highlight of the year!

Dillon Carson, MRICS

Associate Director

What expertise and background do you bring to the table?

I began my career after a placement year as an assistant Quantity Surveyor and completed my final year of university part-time through the Circle Apprentice Program. I have a depth of experience in pre- and post-contract activities, having worked on various projects in the commercial, residential, and education sectors. My expertise lies in managing costs and budgets from feasibility to tender and reporting on post-contract expenditure.

Can you outline the responsibilities of your role?

My role covers a range of pre and post contract management activities, overseeing Circle’s role as QS / EA and PM on a range of Residential, Commercial and Education projects. Specialising in providing clients with feedback on cost movements, which may be influenced by design changes, market feedback, and legislative amendments. I take full ownership of managing cost plans and contribute to the design ensuring that the client’s budget and buildability being maintained as a priority for clients.

I maintain close communication with clients, working closely with the design team to assist with decision-making, producing risk and opportunity trackers, movement trackers, and cost exercises. My role also involves tendering various projects, advising clients on the most suitable tender and procurement strategy based on the clients’ specific requirements.

Following my success in Circle’s APC Chartership Programme, I aim to support and guide upcoming employees in achieving their APC Chartership through one-on-one Q&A sessions, mock APC interviews, and reviewing their experiences to ensure they have a wide range of expertise heading into APC interviews.

Describe your experiences and growth?

I started with Circle through the Circle apprentice program following two years at university and a placement year. I graduated from university with a First-Class Honors degree and immediately joined the Circle APC Chartership Program. With close support and guidance from Circle, I successfully obtained my RICS accreditation a year and a half after graduating. Throughout my time at Circle, I played a key role in completing various projects, including a 245-unit BTR scheme in Abbey Place, the refurbishment of Westminster School Cricket Pavilion, and refurbishments of multiple offices around the UK, including Birmingham, Glasgow, and South West London. I’m now proud to have progressed to Associate Director.

At Circle, the opportunities for growth are endless, and I’m thrilled to be part of a culture that empowers people to reach their full potential.”

What is your favourite project?

My favourite project was Snow Hill, where I served as the lead QS from feasibility to a successful planning application in Q2 2023. The 48-storey BTR scheme in the centre of Birmingham brought complexities that I managed by working closely with a team of leading UK design consultants. I kept the client well-informed about the estimated project cost and advised the client on key value engineering opportunities. This landmark project expanded my expertise and experience in construction technology and buildability, involving the use of a bespoke unitised façade due to height restrictions.

What brings you joy outside of work?

My interests revolve around participating in and watching sports. I enjoy playing golf when the weather allows. I also took part in the Royal Parks half marathon, raising money for charity alongside several Circle employees. I am a fair-weather cyclist, having recently cycled in Mallorca and completed the London to Brighton ride with Circle colleagues. I love traveling abroad, with my favourite holiday consisting of a road trip around the Canadian Rockies, which included whale watching, kayaking, and hiking around the turquoise lakes of British Columbia.

Oliver Grindle, MRICS

Associate

What expertise and background do you bring to the table?

I began my career as an estimator for a regional main contractor in Derbyshire while pursuing my Master’s in Quantity Surveying. Upon completing my course, I relocated to London and joined a Tier 1 Main contractor, focusing on residential, commercial, and healthcare sectors. My background allows me to provide pre and post-contract commercial services to clients, with on-the-ground knowledge from my contracting days. With Circle, I’ve now work on new build residential, co-living, and office projects in the capacity of an Associate Quantity Surveyor and Employer’s Agent.

Can you outline the responsibilities of your role?

As an Associate Quantity Surveyor, I combine strong technical and interpersonal skills to deliver commercial services to my clients. My role is diverse, encompassing both pre- and post-contract duties. I lead teams of Project Quantity Surveyors and Assistant Surveyors to deliver large-scale projects for our clients.

Pre-contract, we prepare cost estimates, monitor design development, manage procurement, and negotiate build contracts. Cost estimates are produced from feasibility stage through to RIBA Stage 4 design. Post-contract, we manage our clients’ commercial interests and administer contracts on live projects, acting as the Employer’s Agent. This includes monitoring variations, negotiating costs, tracking on-site progress, and carrying out monthly valuations.

I also act as a line manager to four members of the commercial team, overseeing workloads and monitoring performance against agreed targets. This includes tracking and reviewing their progress through the APC pathway to chartership.

Describe your experiences and growth at Circle?

I joined Circle in September 2023 as a Quantity Surveyor. From day one, the company entrusted me with significant responsibility, beginning with a negotiated tender for a c.£50m co-living scheme in White City within my first week. Since then, my career has gone from strength to strength, achieving chartership and progressing from Senior Quantity Surveyor to my current role as an Associate.

Having established strong teams across large-scale residential and commercial projects, I now lead a new Single Family Homes department, where we act as Fund Monitor on several schemes. Circle has been an excellent business to work for, providing consistent support for my professional development, creating opportunities to take on new challenges, and offering guidance through major milestones such as the RICS APC process.

What is your favourite project?

My favourite project is Wood Lane, which was my first scheme with Circle. The £49m development involves the construction of a 16-storey tower with two six-storey wings. The tower will accommodate 209 co-living units, with the ground floor, Level 7, and Level 16 providing communal amenity spaces for residents, including MasterChef-style kitchens, a gym, workspaces, and lounges.

The six-storey wings are being delivered for a women’s charity and will include 60 apartments for the charity’s patrons, along with a new office for the organisation. The project includes technically complex groundworks due to existing site levels, as well as the added challenges of working adjacent to the London Underground Central Line and a busy TfL highway. It is exciting to see the project coming to fruition, with Practical Completion anticipated in Q4 2026.

What brings you joy outside of work?

Outside of work, I stay active by going to the gym a few times a week and occasionally returning to Derbyshire for long walks in the Peak District. I make the most of my annual leave by travelling, most recently visiting old university friends in Jordan and experiencing one of the Seven Wonders of the World. In winter, I am an avid skier, having completed a season when I was younger. I am also settling into more leisurely and less extreme sports, enjoying the occasional round of golf when time allows, but only when the sun is shining.