Interview with Martin McEvoy, Meica Services - Managing Director
What do you do?
I am responsible for the delivery of a £70m business to our client expectations from ‘cradle to grave’. Namely, winning business, project execution via effective project delivery teams and customer aftercare service once the end user has moved in to their new/refurbished property.
Our core business is projects which are supported by engineering, accounts, purchasing, training and development, HSE and IT sections of the business.
How did you get into building services?
I grew up in Ireland on a farm as one of eight children, and went to 3rd level education on the back of family support and summer vacation working to make ends meet. I graduated in Ireland as an electronics engineer in 1989 and then emigrated to the UK in search of work. My first job was with MF Kent as an estimator and that is where I began to learn about building services.
What is the best thing about your job?
The best thing about my job is having clients wanting meica on projects time and time again because they know that we have a can do approach and we bring solutions to the table.
Whats been the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you at work?
In March 2000 I was attending an opening night show laid on for the contractors at the Royal Court Theatre. We had just finished the mechanical and public health installations and the client invited us to the show as a ‘thank you’.
In the ‘silence’ that goes with a focused theatre audience my mobile phone rang. Suddenly I became the spotlight of this very focused crowd which turned to real annoyance as, flustered, I struggled to find which pocket my phone was in!
After the show I heard many people say ‘Typical of McEvoy” – which is probably true as I am always on the phone dealing with clients, suppliers, staff etc…
Whats the worst thing about your job?
One frustrating aspect of my job is my personal desire to move forward in reducing the environmental impact of what we do, however this is not being matched by the pace of the industry.
What would you be doing if you weren’t doing this job?
I haven’t a clue. Probably a ‘handyman’ as my other passion is carpentry and I enjoy DIY and gardening.
How have you coped with the transition from Operations Director to Managing Director?
I have a personal coach assisting me in this transition, which has been brilliant. Its been tough though in taking a broader business view as my natural instinct is to focus on project delivery. Jim Steele (Imtech UK CEO and former MD of Meica) reminds me regularly when I need to re-focus. I have known him for 18 years now and he has helped me greatly in the transition period. I am also learning that creating ‘thinking time’ is important.
Whats your favourite tipple?
Guiness of course! I am also partial to a San Miguel during the summer months.
Your work ethic is legendary within Meica. How do you maintain your passion for work and spend time with your family?
My passion for work is all about ‘how can we do better tomorrow’. Looking for better ways to deliver better than expected is what drives me. I am lucky that my wife Mary has worked in this industry and she has an understanding of what it is all about. Also Meica are a personable company and this involves a number of social get togethers during the year which involves our partners. I have learned to switch off when I am with my family so the time I spend with them is quality time. I have not worked a weekend since our first child, Roisin was born in 2000 and since then we have two more,Sean (2002) and Sinead (2007). Monday to Friday is work and weekend is family.
What do you do to relax?
I love gardening and i have an allotment which involves spending some part of almost every weekend planting, watering or harvesting between March and October. The children love it and we are self sufficient in vegetables from June to November. Holidays are also very important periods of relaxation.