What is your role? And what is involved/what are your responsibilities?
I’m the Managing Director of Master Stonemasons. My role is a mix of planning, problem solving, supporting the staff on site, and making sure everything we do is carried out safely and to the highest possible standard.
1.) What does your typical day look like?
I spend a lot of time moving between sites, checking quality, reviewing safety, and making sure the team have what they need to do their job properly whether that’s the right materials, the right equipment, or simply checking in to see how everyone is getting on.
2.) How long have you worked on the A417 scheme?
We started work on the A417 in February 2024 and we’ve roughly another 12 months to complete our element of the project. It’s a significant piece of work and one we’re genuinely proud to be part of.
3.) We hear you’re an international globe trotter – where else have Master Stonemasons worked in the world?
Over the years, both the company and I have been lucky enough to work all over the world. Our projects have taken us to Brazil, Colombia, Peru, the United States, the Philippines, and most countries across Europe, as well as England and Ireland. No matter where we work, the principles are always the same: quality craftsmanship, respect for local landscapes, and strong teamwork.
4.) What is your main focus on the A417 scheme?
Our main focus is quality and safety of our team always. We’re building dry stone walls that aren’t just for today, but for future generations to enjoy. This is our legacy. Long after the project is finished, those walls will still be standing, blending into the landscape, and doing exactly what they were built to do. Getting that right matters to all of us.
5.) What’s something interesting that people don’t know about the work that you do?
One thing many people don’t realise is just how important dry-stone walls are for nature and ecology. These walls create vital habitats for wildlife, insects, bees, small mammals, birds, reptiles, mosses, and lichens all rely on them. The gaps and voids provide shelter, nesting areas, and safe movement corridors across the landscape. On a scheme like the A417, this is hugely important. The walls don’t just divide land or mark boundaries; they actively support biodiversity and help reconnect habitats affected by major infrastructure works. In many ways, we’re building homes for wildlife as much as we’re building walls.
6.) What are you most looking forward to about this year?
I’m looking forward to continuing the A417 works with the team and seeing our sections really take shape. I’m also proud of the charity work we do as a company. We support local charities such as the Great Western Air Ambulance. Giving something back to the communities we work in is incredibly important to me, and it’s something I find very rewarding.
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