We’re excited to introduce one of our newest recruits, Nathan Gale, in our latest staff spotlight. Nathan joined Welling’s Bristol office as a Graduate Surveyor in September 2024, fresh from earning his Quantity Surveying degree at the University of Reading.
Nathan shares his journey into the construction industry, the residential projects he’s working on, and the critical lessons he’s learned in his career so far. He also gives us a glimpse into his life outside work, from his passion for football, to his guilty pleasure that satisfies his sweet tooth!
Describe your role at Welling?
I’m a Graduate Surveyor and my role is to ensure the client receives the agreed contract. I’d say my role is essentially a project manager. Together with my colleagues from the Bristol office, we make sure the project is delivered to the exact specification of the agreed contract and on time. To date this has included undertaking valuations on site, certifying payments due to Contractors, minuting progress meetings, and assisting in the handover of units from auditing handover information submitted by the Contractor, completing pre-inspection handovers and handing over completed units.
Which projects are you currently working on?
I personally work on three different residential schemes, which are all at various stages of construction, whilst assisting with other projects to support the wider team.
I support my colleague Rebecca Hubbard on the Harry Stokes scheme in Bristol which is a large residential scheme of mixed-sized houses and apartments for our client Sovereign Network. The latest phase of development (circa 150 units) is nearing completion and therefore I’m on site a lot! The homes are all being constructed using a timber frame build, with air source heat pumps, solar PV panels and EV chargers.
I’m also working on smaller projects with George Royle, such as a Lakeside development in Theale near Reading for Abri Group. I have also just started on a residential scheme in Devizes, Wiltshire, which is at the very start of construction.
What’s your work/education background?
I Graduated from University of Reading in June 2024 with a Quantity Surveying Degree and started here at Welling in September so this is my very first role out of University.
I’m keen to get more experience under my belt, and then start to manage my own projects.
What is one valuable thing you’ve learned in your career so far?
Time management, organisation and people skills. Project managing is half my job, and I have to make sure all these projects are handed over on time – hence time management and being organised are critical.
People skills is also really important. My role involves a lot of emails and talking to contractors, site managers and/or project managers. Therefore, clear communication and a good relationship with the client and contractor is very important.
What was your first ever job?
I was a lifeguard, in a local swimming pool when I was 16. I did it for 3 years, until the pool closed for Covid. It was a great job with my mates and despite needing to jump in a few times to rescue kids, there were no serious injuries, and everyone was safe on my watch, thankfully!
What is your favourite sport/team?
I love football and support Arsenal.
What’s your guilty pleasure?
Chocolate, I’m a Cadburys man. I love the classics – dairy milk and chocolate buttons are some of my favourites.
Any pets?
I have the cutest dog Maisie, a 2-year-old cavapoo. She’s very well trained and can do high fives, shake your hand, rollover. She’s definitely top dog in our house!
What is the one thing you can’t live without?
PlayStation – I like to play FIFA online with my mates.
What’s your ideal holiday?
New York. I’ve been once before and I loved the shopping, the incredible skyscraper buildings, the restaurants and food. I only went for 5 days and therefore didn’t get to see everything, so I’d love to go back again.
