Gratte Brothers Building Services Maintenance (GBBSM) is at an exciting juncture, poised for significant growth and expansion in the commercial sector. To support these ambitious goals, we have utilised our in-house talent – promoting several key team members who have been instrumental in driving our recent success.
We spoke to four team members across GBBSM – Tristan Goddard (Operations Director), James Bates (Account Manager), Dan Armstrong (Account Manager) and Rob Preston (Project Manager) – to discuss their promotions, the challenges of the industry and the future of the business.
Tristan Goddard, Operations Director
Tristan was headhunted as a Senior Account Manager over 6 years ago. After about a year and a half in his role, Tristan saw the potential for significant improvements and initiated a company-wide restructure to streamline our processes.
During his time at Gratte Brothers, he has launched a mentoring programme to support the development of contract managers and supervisors. In 2020, despite the turbulence of the pandemic, Tristan’s performance was steadfast, and this was acknowledged with a promotion to Operations Manager. Throughout this difficult period, Tristan negotiated to retain contracts and maintain the usual site operations, which helped support the business and staff during the challenging time.
Every role comes with its own set of challenges. Following his promotion to Operations Director, Tristan anticipates the need to maintain and enhance operational efficiency while facing evolving industry regulations and market dynamics. To tackle these challenges, he plans to foster innovation within our teams, ensuring that we stay ahead of industry changes. Open communication, collaboration, and a commitment to providing the best services to our clients will be at the forefront of his strategy.
Dan Armstrong, Account Manager
Dan has been a part of the Gratte Brothers’ team for over 12 years. During this time, he’s been involved with all sorts of client projects and contracts. He began as a Contract Administrator, and he’d be the first to tell you that his journey was made possible by the fantastic support of his colleagues.
In his most recent role as an Account Manager, Dan is focused on leading his team to provide exceptional service to some demanding clients, especially in the current economic downturn within the industry. Dan firmly believes that the strength his team has built will be a key factor in driving profitability, as well as upholding Gratte Brothers’ reputation for outstanding service.
James Bates, Account Manager
Beginning as a multi-skilled Mobile Maintenance Engineer when Gratte Brothers acquired AG Manly, James quickly expanded his expertise by adding gas-safe engineering to his skill set. James’s journey included taking on supervisory roles, which instilled confidence and led to his successful transition to an Account Manager position.
Stepping into his new role, James is most thrilled about the groundwork laid by the team to fuel divisional growth, and he eagerly anticipates seeing these efforts come to fruition. Challenges may loom in the demanding marketplace with tight margins and recruitment difficulties, but James is confident that solid processes, strong client and supply chain relationships, in addition to a united approach, will help the team successfully navigate them.
In contributing to Gratte Brothers’ overarching goals and objectives, James emphasises that the restructured division enables controlled growth. This expansion means opportunities for others to progress, fostering a positive environment for career development and contributing to the company’s long-term success. He also underlines the importance of focusing on welfare and sustainability, striving to learn and advance every day.
Rob Preston, Project Manager
Rob Preston joined us back in 2022, initially as a Technical Manager. However, his background in project management, coupled with a desire for GBBSM to enhance the delivery of Projects and plant replacement works, made him the perfect candidate for a promotion.
As well as looking forward to new ventures, Rob is excited to continue developing his current contracts. These include the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime as a commercial maintenance contract, which he has managed for the majority of his career!
The biggest upcoming challenge Rob anticipates is expanding our sub-contractor base to enhance our current offering. GBBSM has a robust supply chain for smaller projects, but alone, this won’t allow us to deliver larger projects. Therefore, Rob and the team are actively sourcing new partners to work with who can support us in this journey.
This role contributes significantly to Gratte Brothers’ overarching future goals and aspirations, which includes the successful delivery of joint projects with other divisions in the Group, such as Gratte Brothers Catering Equipment Ltd, who they recently partnered with on The Conrad Hotel.
Overcoming Challenges and Driving Success
The path to sustainable growth is paved with both opportunities and challenges. At GBBSM, we’re committed to navigating these complexities through strategic focus and unwavering dedication.
To achieve our ambitious goals, we are embracing cutting-edge technologies and methodologies to stay at the forefront of the industry. We’re building enduring relationships with our clients based on trust, reliability, and exceptional service. We’re investing in our team’s professional development and fostering a supportive work environment. In addition, we’re continuously refining and elevating our existing service offerings to deliver unparalleled value. By prioritising these key areas, GBBSM is poised to not only overcome challenges but to define the future of building services maintenance.
