Inspiring Business by Sharing Success

Young Achiever to Future Leader

Young Achiever to Future Leader

A true story of success and inspiration 

As a challenging 2020 drew to a close, Michael Broadhurst, Commercial Manager at Robert Woodhead Ltd, was the pin point of positivity and encouragement for the future. A major achievement for Michael was receiving the G4C Future Leader Award at the East Midlands Constructing Excellence Awards in December. 


Michael is, and has been, a major asset to Robert Woodhead Ltd for the past 10 years. Rewinding back to the beginning when he first joined the company as part of his Degree at Sheffield Hallam in Building Surveying. The sandwich course he embarked on enabled him to build on his skills as a Trainee Project Co-ordinator on a 1 year placement. 


Michael impressed so much during his placement that we offered him the chance to continue his degree part time whilst continuing employment.
Michael was part of a number of award winning projects such as the Cross Street Eco Town development whist completing his degree, graduating with a 1st Class Honours. 


Michael has adopted the businesses values; Collaboration, Respect, Courage and Integrity, which are major elements to flourishing within his role. 


“It’s the team work approach, living and breathing our values and the collaboration between one another which ends in great results. The company invested in me that I am hugely grateful for and that’s a testament to them and the belief in their employees. 
“The hard work by all is prominent throughout the company. Coaching and mentoring one another gives others the confidence for progression. Everyone joins together to allow collaborative progression and growth as a whole.”

His clear work ethic portrayed throughout his role enabled Michael, when he was 26 years old, to scoop the Young Achiever Award back in 2016 at the Constructing Excellence Awards. Since this achievement Michael has received outstanding mentoring and support from Chris Tutin and Alistair Taylor, both Associate Directors of Robert Woodhead Limited.  


Chris commented on Michael’s progression and determination to succeed within his role,


“I have had the privilege of working alongside Michael for a number of years. As a Project Co-ordinator he showed an immense amount of promise. I am glad to say that through his own hard work that promise has seen him develop into a substantially competent QS and more recently a deserved Commercial Manager. I am proud to call Michael a colleague and friend and am so pleased that his dedication has been recognised with this award. As the title suggests, I expect Michael to become a Future Leader within our industry one day.”


Michael believes the key to adopting and pursuing the correct skills to become a leader all branches from collaboration. The “honesty and trust” which is developed between colleagues is a vital piece in the jigsaw to becoming a confident and respected leader. 


Shanice Wallace, Quantity Surveyor at Robert Woodhead Ltd commented on the mentoring she received from Michael over the years, 


“Michael is a great mentor, he allows the learning process to flow naturally and is always there to provide support when needed. His expertise has definitely been invaluable in my journey to becoming a Quantity Surveyor.”


Not only is building relationships internally a prominent factor to success within your team, but the foundations of relationships with external clients and customers are key. 


A small piece of advice from Michael for others starting their journey in the industry was:


“You can’t be a successful leader, if you don’t have a successful team working collaboratively. Go that extra mile and take the time to continually develop yourself and encourage others around you to flourish.”


Congratulations once again to Michael for his magnificent accomplishment! We’re keeping our fingers crossed as he attends the Constructing Excellence National Awards this week. 


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