Offsite construction and manufacturing specialist Merit has appointed Steve Barrett as operations director to head up project delivery and planning
Steve’s appointment as operations director comes after Merit’s recent announcement of a record financial year, in which overall revenues climbed by 44% to £60,220,482, and total profits rose by 256% to £3,730,676, following a string of major project wins and completions.
Steve has over 20 years of operations experience and joined Merit in 2021 as project director. Having previously worked in senior operational roles at Jacobs, the international consultancy, and Laing O’Rourke, Steve is responsible for project delivery and planning.
Scaling operational efficiencies to facilitate standardised project delivery
The creation of the new senior role recognises Merit’s strong upward trajectory and the need to scale operational efficiencies to facilitate standardised project delivery and support further commercial growth.
Steve’s expertise will further enhance Merit’s offsite manufacturing capabilities
Merit’s CEO, Tony Wells, commented: “Our newest appointment to Merit’s Board of Directors cements our commitment to delivering the highest rates of productivity within the construction industry. Having already made an impact in his role as Project Director, we are delighted to welcome Steve into his new role as Operations Director to support Merit’s high period of growth.
He adds: “With operational efficiency, innovation and health and safety in mind, Steve’s extensive expertise will play a major role in further enhancing Merit’s offsite manufacturing capabilities.”
‘Delivering projects faster, more efficiently and more sustainably’
Steve Barrett, operations director at Merit, added: “I’ve held operations roles in construction and engineering for over two decades now and am all too aware of the limitations and challenges that hamper traditional construction.
“Since joining Merit in 2021, I’ve been hugely impressed by its commitment to innovation and the thrill that comes with being part of a thriving business that is revolutionising the sector. Merit’s investment in R&D is way ahead of traditional construction, and I’m looking forward to playing a leading role in implementing this expertise by sharpening and standardising our approach.
He adds: “There has never been a greater opportunity to transform how we deliver building projects in our industry. I look forward to working with the rest of the team as we continue to deliver projects faster, more efficiently and more sustainably across the UK.”
Merit’s recent contract wins include Moderna’s new clinical biomarker laboratory project in Oxfordshire and the construction of the new £35m Berwick Hospital with Northumbria Healthcare NHS Trust.
In early 2023, Merit announced a 4000m2 expansion at its Cramlington site to accommodate its plans for continued growth.
