Meet Billy Eastman, our Senior Project Manager overseeing all MEP works at One Clapham, part of the St John’s Hill residential development.
Working in partnership with Peabody and for our client Mount Anvil, ROC is delivering the full mechanical installation and electrical infrastructure across the scheme. Billy has been working at ROC for eight months and, with nearly 40 years of industry experience, he brings a wealth of expertise, leadership and hands-on knowledge to the project. His experience helps ensure quality delivery at every stage, from start to finish.
Tell us a little more about the site you work at and what does role involve day to day?
My role involves liaising with the client and our subcontractors, making sure everyone starts and finishes safely on site. At the moment, I’m also working on as-built drawings. With the project close to completion, the team holds daily client meetings to review progress, identify blockers, assess requirements, and ensure everything stays on track.
How would you describe this project in your own words?
It’s an exciting project to be part of – a £15 Million job, spread across six blocks. It’s great to be working with Mount Anvil; we collaborate well and have built a strong working relationship.
No projects come without there challenges, but overall, it’s been a really positive experience, and the opportunity to work with them on future projects would be a big win.
What have you enjoyed the most and what have been the biggest challenges?
Having joined the project eight months ago, I needed to get up to speed quickly on what had already been completed, where the project stood, the client’s expectations. For me, the most important thing was about building relationships; with both the client and the team, because I was new to both.
Things are running smoothly now. At the start, I needed more input from others, but as I settled in, I gradually took on full responsibility. It’s been a natural enjoyable progression.
What motivates you most at work?
I’m passionate about what I do and enjoy learning new skills, which I think is a must in this industry.
A couple of years ago, I completed an NVQ Level 7 off my own back and became a Chartered Construction Manager, that was something I chose to do to develop myself further.
I also enjoy people I work with, the team, the company, and the client. It’s the everyday challenges on site that keep things interesting, there are no major showstoppers, just the usual problem-solving.
What has been the biggest milestone on this project?
Improving and streamlining the cause-and-effect process has been a key milestone. As the project progressed, we’ve refined the approach across the blocks, making the overall delivery much smoother. By gaining a deeper understanding of the client and stakeholders’ requirements, we have proactively identified potential issues and addressed them early.
Now we will focus on getting drawings to as-built stage and ensuring all documentation is complete, which is essential for project handover.
What are you most proud of delivering so far?
I’ll be most proud to hand the project over on time. Having joined the project midway through, successfully delivering it on time would be one of my proudest achievements.
This project has been one of the least stressful I’ve worked on, and I’ve found it easy to integrate into both the team and client environment.
What advice would you give to someone starting out in your field?
Watch, listen, and learn, no one knows everything, and every day is a learning opportunity.
Absorb as much as you can and always aim to give 100%. Stay open to development, whether that’s through experience or formal training. There are always new regulations and skills to pick up, and the right company will support your development and help you become a better manager.
