Meet the Team:
Graham Winstanley

Each month we’re introducing you to a member of our expert team. This month is the turn of Project Manager Graham Winstanley, who plays a crucial role in driving forward the project life cycle to bring process efficiency and the best results for our clients.

What is your background and how did you end up at FEG?

My career has been quite varied. I started as an apprentice electrician and went on to work in engineering roles in plastics and tobacco. I had a change in direction and relocated to Spain, where managed a bar/restaurant in Mallorca.

When I returned to the UK I got back into engineering, including working at Nissan on the Qashqai body shop line. My previous role at industrial machinery installation provider Beck & Pollitzer was almost seven days a week, including working all bank holidays! I’ve been at FEG since 2014, working across the automotive, manufacturing, food and paper industries in particular.

What does a typical work day look like for you?

My time is typically split 50/50 between the office and being out in the field but a typical day is completely dependant on the role I’m playing in the current project.

For example, on a recent project building a warehouse in Berwick, I spent a lot of time liaising face to face with contractors, carrying out health and safety inductions, planning and executing works, supervising works to ensure the project was complying with H&S regulations and the project specifications and formalising paperwork and drawings with contractors to name a few!

I enjoy having the opportunity to work with other companies and contractors - it's great to be able to build friendships and strong bonds with them.

Graham Winstanley

Project Manager

How does FEG differ from other places you’ve worked?

The level of accountability at FEG is different. I have a significant level of responsibility for my projects and a higher level of autonomy, which means my role is more all-encompassing and varied. In other words, the buck stops with me and it’s up to me to ensure the project goes well.

What do you enjoy most about your role?

I value having the autonomy to just get on and do the job. I also enjoy the opportunities to work with other companies and contractors – it’s great to be able to build friendships and strong bonds with them.

What’s a recent project you’ve been proud of?

We have just completed a fantastic warehouse construction project in Berwick.

The project initially posed a challenge as the site was both difficult to access and had several unknown quantities we needed to find solutions for.

We discovered a rather large 11kv cable going across the site which meant a reduction in size of the building and another 415lv cable that required re-routing. We had to liaise extensively with Scottish Power Energy Networks (SPEN) and the client to carry out this work.

The project was further complicated by difficult access needs, which meant we required additional support for a large crane lift to erect steel and cladding, however we also faced issues with the close proximity to other buildings, and a large retaining wall had to be built as a result.

Despite all the challenges, we still managed to complete the project on budget, albeit with a slightly extended installation plan, and the client was very happy with the result.

The client was previously paying high off-site storage and shunting costs, so the new warehousing facility will effectively pay for itself in a little over two years.