Wood Lane

Oliver Grindle, MRICS

Senior Quantity Surveyor

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.

Peter Christmas, MRICS

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!

Dean Wittering, MCIOB MRICS

Associate Director

What expertise and background do you bring to the table?

I am a CIOB-accredited project manager with a delivery background, with experience across multiple sectors. I have worked for Tier 1 Contractors and in recent years, Project management, working closely with Clients to achieve their project aspirations.

I have over 10 years of experience working in the construction industry across multiple sectors. At Circle Development I specialise in residential and commercial projects, delivering high-quality residential buildings and prime commercial spaces across London and in the regions.

Can you outline the responsibilities of your role?

My responsibility pre-contract is to drive the programme, lead the design team and understand, manage and minimise project risks and opportunities for Clients. I prioritise client satisfaction by fostering clear communication, managing expectations, and delivering projects that align with the client’s vision and goals. Client feedback and repeat business are testaments to my client-centric approach.

I have experience in developing project execution plans and monitoring the construction phase plans as the works progress. I establish the project programme and drive the wider team to hit the key project milestones, such as the preparation and submission of planning documentation. Post-contract award, I have a depth of experience administering the contract to make sure the ERs are delivered on time and within budget and to the correct quality.

Describe your experiences and growth at Circle?

I started professional life in the Construction industry working onsite as a trainee engineer, working my way up to a senior construction manager before switching to the client side with Circle in 2020.

This change of direction presented an opportunity to broaden my knowledge of the construction industry. I joined Circle as an Assistant Project Manager in 2020 and have progressed to a Senior Project Manager, during my time with Circle I have Project Managed projects such as Abbey Place, Talgarth Road PBSA and Canons House and have taken a lead role in the development of the Clerk of Works business.

What is your favourite project?

Over the past four years, I have led numerous construction projects, ranging from residential developments to commercial renovations, with budgets exceeding £50 million. In this role, my responsibilities include overseeing project teams, setting objectives, and ensuring successful project delivery. I have worked on projects during each phase of the Construction lifecycle.

I consistently strive to deliver the best results for my Client, meeting or surpassing quality standards. Notably, two of my previous projects Abbey Place and Vincent Square Sports Pitches were completed ahead of the programme and within budget for the Client. These achievements demonstrate my ability to handle complex projects with efficiency and precision. I enjoyed my time working at Abbey Place fostering strong working relationships with the various members of the Client and Contracting teams to deliver some much-needed high-quality housing in a developing area which has recently been connected by the Elizabeth line.

What brings you joy outside of work?

I have an interest in cycling, running and football, playing for my team in London at weekends. I also played a key role in the Circle 5 a-side team which achieved back-to-back relegations in the local league. Recently I have taken on the new challenge of learning to ski, honing my skills regularly in Milton Keynes over the past few years.