CORNICHE | BUILD | MAINTAIN | REFURBISH
Meet the Team
We aim to ensure clients are completely satisfied with our services and for that, we rely on our people. Many have been working with Corniche since the business started and all share our passion and values. Our people are our most important resource. Here's an introduction to some key personnel.
Michael Smith FCIOB MFPWS
Managing Director
After just six years in the industry, starting on site, Mike founded Corniche in 1983. As MD he puts into practice all the knowledge he has learned ‘on the job’ initially within family companies then branching out to develop and enhance his skills. Thirty eight years on and Corniche continues to flourish.
Now a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Builders, Mike was a Trustee for 6 years and has gained a wealth of experience in this role and given many hours (and days) to the Institute he is passionate about. He is an NED on the National Home Improvement Council, sits on the CCLG as CIOB/CBC representative and is still actively involved with the CIOB in various capacities. Mike is a strong believer in taking pride in one’s work, competency, team work and getting the job done to the required standard.
Shaun Valentine BSc (Hons) FCIOB
Operations Director
Shaun joined us in July 2020 as Operations Director with responsibility for the day to day operations of the company.
He started as an apprentice Bench Joiner in 1981 and after 39 years in the construction industry brings a wealth of experience, including experience with major high-end developers such as Berkeley Homes & Countryside Properties PLC.
He has knowledge of large complex construction projects, gained with Ballymore, ranging from high rise RC Frame developments to large mixed residential developments, of in excess of 500 units. Between 2004-2014 he ran his own Chartered Building Company as Managing Director, delivering prestigious schemes and projects and working with all forms of contracts and a wide range of clients.
Shaun has already added value to the company, introducing many new processes and procedures that will allow the business to continue to grow and develop further over the coming years.
Marc Smith MCIOB
Commercial Director
Marc joined Corniche in 1991 shortly after completing a joinery apprenticeship where he Qualified at Advanced City and Guilds level. He has remained at Corniche, rising to Foreman, General Foreman, Supervisor and ultimately, Commercial Director in 2000.
Marc has obtained an NVQ level 7 in Construction Senior Management, via the NVQ route, as well as SMSTS and C&G CAD level 3 qualifications. In May 2019 he achieved membership of the Chartered Institute of Builders and in addition to that, he is our QMark fire door installation Competent Person.
Whilst Marc mainly concentrates on Education projects, an area in which he has vast experience, his overall responsibilities include managing the Operations side of the Company, Company growth, Risk Management and Contract Management.
Neil Kelly ACIOB
Site Project and Contracts Manager
Neil trained as an apprentice carpenter and then foreman at Wates, achieving an HNC before his self employed career as a carpenter. He first worked with us in that capacity from 1992 to 2005 when he finally became a full time Corniche employee. Starting as Site Project Manager he is now our Contracts Manager and is mentoring several employees as they move into management. An invaluable asset to the Company, he has completed an SMSTS course and is continually developing his skills. Neil is all about quality, following the specification and doing things the right way.
Anna Bataille
Admin Support
Anna’s career started at Westminster City Council, as a Technical Officer, where she gained an HNC with part time study. Subsequently she worked for several Housing Associations and has worked with Occupational Therapists in Residential Care Homes and clients' own properties. She joined Corniche in 2006 to temporarily supplement our Contracts Manager and proved so successful that she was taken on full-time.
She is now invaluable, supporting the Directors and Managers carrying out site set-up and providing on-going coordination and support, together with compliance. Anna supports the Directors in the delivery of our Business Development Strategy and also carries out Health and Safety Audits and Monitoring. Anna has an NVQ Level 6 in Construction Contract Operations and an SMSTS.
Chris Smith
Project Supervisor
Chris has a degree, but it is not in construction. His BSc Hons in Sports Science, however, is a benefit to us in many ways as he has an excellent understanding of performance and teamwork. He came into construction after various jobs and (as we would expect) has embraced the industry. An enthusiastic leaner, he has taken and passed an HNC in Construction Management and risen from labourer to Manager in just 4 years. He has also attained an SMSTS and has completed his Chartered Membership Programme. On top of that he is currently being mentored by Marc to develop his skills in Contracts Management.
Ian Maynard
Assistant Site Manager
With a straightforward career and approach, Ian is a new recruit to add to our compliment, who joined us in 2018. He gained his NVQ2 Carpentry and Joinery qualification in 1995 after leaving school and has been in construction ever since. A skilled carpenter he also has a specialism in shuttering. He has all round experience in general building, from the ground to the top of the roof, having worked on a range of projects over the years; from small domestic jobs to large scale residential and civil sites. He's been involved in all aspects of the different trades, is competent with drawings, planning and man management. He is a reliable, experienced foreman.
Kamil Mickelowski
Assistant Site Manager
Kamil is one of our success stories. Rescued from a sub-contract gang, he spoke little English when he started with us (and curiously, now does so with an Irish accent!). He has gone on from humble beginnings to his current position by shear enthusiasm, watching and learning and commitment to our mentoring scheme. He is multi-skilled with a specialism in groundwork trades and demolition, but can turn his hand to most things. His ability or organise and run contracts and keep a firm grip on all aspects of a project makes him another valuable member of the team.
Rachel McHugh
Business Development
Rachel joined us in 2019 to carry out a Business Development function for the Company. With a background in Sales and Marketing she has worked specifically in construction for over 15 years and has a broad understanding of the Industry and of building relationships. She has a unique style of promoting our business and engaging with both existing and new customers. Since working with us she has not only developed new relationships but has re-engaged with clients we had lost touch with.