Newhall

Florence Dutton

Junior Project Manager

What expertise and background do you bring to the table?

After studying Construction Management and Surveying for my degree, I began my career at a global consultancy working on a variety of government and centrally funded projects in which I gained experience of a vast range of clients and sectors. During my career I have developed experience in masterplanning, fit out and public realm and the experience of these has furnished me with the skills to undertake my current role as a Junior Project Manager.

Can you outline the responsibilities of your role?

My role consists of a wide range of responsibilities and activities, during the early RIBA Stages I work with the Client and the Circle team to provide programmes, risk information and management of the design team to deliver and effective and efficient design in advance of construction. During construction, I work with the Contractor’s site team team, the Circle Quality team and and Quantity Surveyors to facilitate and monitor the progress of the project as well as any changes that might be required. I am well versed in building positive relationships across a project team and am always in favour of a collaborative working environment that provides a vehicle for positive communications and effective conflict resolution.

I am well versed in building positive relationships across a project team and am always in favour of a collaborative working environment that provides a vehicle for positive communications and effective conflict resolution.

Describe your experiences and growth at Circle?

Having joined Circle in October 2024, I have jumped straight into interesting projects with agile project teams and have been able to use my own expertise to contribute to them. The environment within the company is one which gives me the space to succeed and provides a brilliant platform for me to obtain my RICS chartership.

What is your favourite project?

My favourite project is Westminster Masterplan; the intricacies in this project due to its constraints are really challenging and this opportunity for problem solving has hugely engaged my interest. Alongside this, the heritage aspects of the project draw on parts of my academic study which has been really enjoyable to draw upon.

What brings you joy outside of work?

Outside of work I am often found spending my time spending time getting out for a run, going to a new type of gym class or watching sports, having been a football fan for as long as I can remember. When I want some quiet time, I like sticking my head in a book whilst my latest bake is in the oven, spending time cooking with housemates or watching a terrible film.

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. With Circle, I’ve worked on new build residential, co-living, and office projects in the capacity of a Senior Quantity Surveyor and Employer’s Agent.

Can you outline the responsibilities of your role?

As a Senior Quantity Surveyor, I combine technical and soft skills to provide commercial services to my clients. My role is diverse, covering both pre and post-contract duties. Pre-contract, I prepare cost estimates for projects, monitor design progression, handle procurement, and negotiate build contracts. The cost estimates can be produced from feasibility stage to Stage 4 design. Post-contract, I manage the client’s commercial interests and administer contracts on live projects, acting as the Employer’s Agent. This work includes monitoring changes to the contract, negotiating costs, tracking progress on-site, and conducting monthly valuations of work. I also manage a team of QS’s and Assistant QS’s, overseeing their workload and monitoring their performance against their targets. This also includes tracking and reviewing their process on the APC pathway to chartership.

Describe your experiences and growth at Circle?

I joined Circle in September 2023 as a Quantity Surveyor. The company gave me responsibility from day one, where I began a negotiated tender of a c.£50m Co-Living scheme in White City. I also acted as the Quantity Surveyor for a significant Build-to-Rent residential scheme in Maidenhead. Since then, the scheme in Maidenhead has reached practical completion and the co-living scheme in White City is now underway and out of the ground allowing me to take on two more tenders as well as acting as a Fund Monitor on some single-family home schemes. I now manage a Quantity Surveyor and two Assistant Quantity Surveyors, having been promoted to Senior Quantity Surveyor. In 2024, I also achieved chartered status with the RICS with thanks to Circle who we’re incredibly supportive throughout the process.

What is your favourite project?

My favourite project is Wood Lane. The £49m scheme involves the construction of a 16-storey tower with two 6-storey wings. The 16-storey tower will house 209 co-living units with the ground floor, level 7 and level 16 offering communal amenity spaces for residents including masterchef-style kitchens, a gym, working spaces and lounges. The 6-storey wings are being built for a woman’s charity that will have 60 apartments for patrons and a new office for the company. The project involves some technical groundworks due to the elevations on the site along with the added complexities of working alongside the London Underground Central Line and a busy TfL highway. It’s exciting to see the project come out the ground, with the basement and concrete frame commencing at the end of 2024.

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 traveling, most recently visiting old university friends in Jordan and experiencing one of the seven wonders of the world. I’m an avid skier, having done a season when I was younger. I also enjoy festivals (attended Glastonbury six times), playing golf and tennis, and have recently taken up cycling.

Joe Cutler, FRICS

Managing Director

What expertise and background do you bring to the table?

I originally started my career as an apprentice site Quantity Surveyor with Tier 1 main contractor Laing O’Rourke, all while pursuing a Quantity Surveying degree. During this time, I gained hands-on experience delivering large, complex projects in aerospace, residential, large-scale commercial regenerations, and healthcare.

I shifted my focus to client-side project delivery, specialising in tendering, procurement, and contract administration. I was at the forefront of the UK build-to-rent sector, overseeing the delivery of one of the first institutionally funded schemes in North Acton.

In 2018, I founded Circle with a clear mission: to simplify the project delivery offering available to clients. I aimed to remove multifaceted teams and instill a detail-focused mindset across all team members. My focus is on continuous improvement and staying ahead of industry advancements, such as the Building Safety Act, while also investing in Circle’s development and positioning in the Carbon Management sector. I proudly received fellowship from RICS in 2022.

Can you outline the responsibilities of your role?

As the Managing Director, my role includes overseeing all Circle functions, managing people, business planning, conducting project reviews, and engaging with the supply chain. I also enjoy actively managing projects at key stages, including initial feasibility and procurement, alongside the expert teams within Circle. I take an active role in Life Cycle Carbon Assessments and Life Cycle Costing studies, as I have a deep passion for this emerging sector. My goal is to empower clients with the knowledge they need to make the right decisions for the future.

I take an active role in Life Cycle Carbon Assessments and Life Cycle Costing studies, as I have a deep passion for this emerging sector. My goal is to empower clients with the knowledge they need to make the right decisions for the future.

What is your favourite project?

I don’t have a clear favourite project, but I have recently enjoyed the conversion and repurposing of the Beech Street project in the City of London. I presented Circle’s work to the planning officers, highlighting the analysis, benefits, and comparison of design options. The One Maidenhead BtR project is where I call home, and as a result, I have experienced firsthand the positive impact that this large-scale regeneration can have on town centres. The brickwork looks great from the station platform each morning!

What brings you joy outside of work?

At home, my main hobby is keeping up with two babies and a cockapoo! I have a keen interest in motorsports, having spent over ten years racing superbikes at club level around the UK circuits, starting in the junior 125cc classes and progressing to 600cc before transitioning to off-road trials riding. More recently, I’ve traded big engines and high speeds for the occasional half marathon and coastal walks with my family and fluffy dog.