Jeremy Davey

Jeremy joined Mace in 2005 as a cost consultant. After working on a variety of commissions with a number of different clients, he realised his heart was in project management delivery. Jeremy is now director of private sector project management, leading a team of 120 construction professionals working across a variety of sectors, including aviation, logistics, corporate real estate and technology.

How did you get in to what you do?

I started my career working for a contractor in 1990. I had an interest in construction because I wanted to do something different to my friends. So I worked my way through a quantity surveying degree and got myself chartered and was then able to get loads of experience working on amazing and iconic projects all around London.

How has your career progressed since joining Mace?

I knew I wanted to work for Mace because when I was on the outside, looking in, I could see they were the best at what they do. Once I joined I started by working in a client office for five years and that gave me the opportunity to travel all over the UK, Ireland and Europe.

From there I morphed into a project management role taking on less quantity surveying work as my role increased. I started enjoying my work more and more. Eleven years later I’m doing interesting stuff, have a great team of dedicated, hardworking colleagues and clients all trying to achieve something. I firmly believe that if you work hard and try your best then opportunities will be given to you.

What do you enjoy most about your current role at Mace?

I really enjoy the variety of projects and locations. Once we start working with a client we can help them with all their needs, whether that’s a supermarket, shop, airport retail, office block or distribution centre.

Retail is a sector with interesting challenges as each retailer is fighting for sales and looking for better, quicker, more efficient and more innovative solutions. Every client is looking for something different but wants to increase sales. I enjoy working with the team and our clients to help find solutions.

Working at Mace is incredibly interesting. I work with a really good team and I’m also doing some offline training with graduates as I sit on the graduate panel for Mace. I'm passionate about supporting our graduates and enhancing their training so that they can grow and flourish. I think we have a moral obligation as part of the industry we are in to encourage young people into this sector and demonstrate how great and diverse it can be.

What is your proudest achievement at Mace?

In 2017 I was appointed as director for project manager for our private sector business. I'm now leading a team of 120, delivering global projects for some incredible clients. 

I'm incredibly proud of the team. It's one of the largest and most diverse in Mace - from graduates to people who have been with the company for over 20 years. There's always someone who understands what we need to do. We move across sectors so that we share knowledge and utilise the experience we have - it certainly helps to bring a different perspective to how we solve challenges for our clients.

What skills do you need to be good at your job?

You need to be enthusiastic about what you do. You need to be interested and understand what makes each and every one of our clients tick so that you can provide the best service to them. All retailers are really proud of their brands and you need to be as passionate about those brands as they are.

What do you see as the big trend for your specialism in the next five years?

Online services and innovative retail solutions that will give clients a point of difference in a crowded retail market. I also think convenience will be huge. We will start to see shops allowed to open longer, an increase in click and collect and more convenient delivery options.