Meet the Team
Michael Sussex
Managing Director
Michael started his career as an Advanced Craft Apprentice some twenty years ago, and rapidly moved through Site Supervision and into Contract Management; culminating in becoming the Senior Contract Manager and part of a Strategic Management Team. When Erinaceous PLC took over the former business, he was promoted to Regional Manager, responsible for overseeing all Partnerships and Contracts in Somerset, Devon & Cornwall. He is now the owner and Managing Director of WMS and is responsible for the overall performance of the Company. In his Private Life, Michael is a League Table Tennis Player and Youth Football Coach.
Andy Powell
Operations Manager
Andy came into the Construction Sector in 1999 after twenty years Senior Management in the Manufacturing Sector. His duties encompass all aspects of the company’s general infrastructure. When Erinaceous PLC took over the former business Andy became Regional Support Manager to Michael Sussex and was seconded to Erinaceous PLC to augment that company’s INVESTORS IN PEOPLE strategy. Andy holds an HND Eng; and qualifications in Training (PTLLS), PV Surveying, Health & Safety (IOSH Managing Safely) and Information Technology (MCSE). In his Private Life Andy has served as the Mayor of Bideford, is a keen Trekking Enthusiast, and a published Author. He is also heavily involved in Archaeological projects in North Carolina, with the Lost Colony Research Group and Professor Mark Horton of the University of Bristol.
Les Weston
Senior Contract Manager
NVQ III qualified Mason and former Site Supervisor. Les successfully managed his own construction business for over 5 years and has extensive operational experience amongst the Major Contracting Group. He is responsible for the overall performance of all contracts undertaken by our Torrington Office and specialises in managing our ‘single site’ contracts. In his Private Life Les is a keen Golfer.
Matt Westaway
Contract Manager
Award Winning NVQ III qualified Carpenter and Joiner; Matt is also qualified to ‘Site Managers Safety Training Scheme’ level. Now, he has had an increasingly successful career and has recently become a Contract Manager. His Technical knowledge has proven hugely beneficial to the Company. He is responsible for the performance of our principal Partnership Contract. In his Private Life Matt is a keen Golfer and a top flight Allrounder in the Devon County Cricket League.
Dave Jane
Branch Manager (Redruth)
Dave joined the WMS team as Manager of the Redruth Office to oversee the delivery of a Four Year Partnership with Carrick Housing. He specialises in Kitchen Designing for the Company, having formerly worked for Howden’s Joinery and is well known for his inter-personal skills. In his Private Life Dave is a life member of a Cornish Gig Racing Team and a very keen cyclist
Will Shelmerdine
Contract Supervisor
Will brings a diverse range of skills and abilities to the company and has a wealth of knowledge of the Public Sector and its maintenance operations. He is our principal contract supervisor at our Redruth office and specialises in Minor Works Contracts.
Paul Moore
Contract Administrator
Paul joined WMS from working in the Contracting Office of a major District Council and progressed to successfully administrate WMS’s first ‘Decent Homes’ Contract.
He now specialises in managing our Minor Works, Reactive and Void Repairs Team. Paul holds an NVQ III qualification in Customer Service and a BTEC National Cert. in Business Studies and is an invaluable lynchpin of our business.
Kelly Mitchell
Resident/Tenant Liaison Officer
Kelly joined WMS after serving in a similar role with MITIE. She is very familiar with our Customer Service standards and is always on the lookout for ways to improve them. If Kelly cannot sort out an issue, no-one can. Kelly has also recently honed her accounting skills and now maintains the company's ledgers.
Site Supervisors and Operatives
As clichéd as it is, our People really are our Business; without them we would not have enjoyed the success we have. They have our absolute respect and are an integral part of our business decisions and its future.
Many of them have been known to the Management team for Five years or more. They have all learnt their Customer Service disciplines from a career in Property Maintenance supported by our culture of internal training, and open lines of Communication.
We can’t show you details of their Annual Appraisals but we can invite you to talk to them about their employer, their role in the Company and their commitment to getting it right, next time you are on site. Please feel free to do so. No appointment necessary.
WMS ~ “Small enough to care about its employees, Big enough to invest in them”
Exor Management
Posted by wms on November 24, 2011
WMS are delighted to advise existing and prospective new clients that it has achieved 'GOLD' accreditation with EXOR Management Services, at the first attempt.
Managing Director Michael Sussex states: "We first considered applying for the Bronze standard as part of our objective to comply with criteria set by Devon County Council, and to strengthen our premier position within the Property Maintenance sector. We quickly realised however, that the 'GOLD' standard was well within our capability and had the potential to open up access to additional new clients who subscribe to the Exor Service. We believe our success is yet another demonstration of our ability to deliver large scale, long-term projects to the very best standards."
"The Exor GOLD accreditation adds to a lengthening list of Industry Accreditations and Recognitions attained by WMS for its provision of Property Maintenance Services. We are pleased to be part of the Exor Management Services network of Approved Contractors, and look forward to being of service to their clients" added Operations Manager Andy Powell.
New Client ~ Sanctuary-Shaftsbury Housing Association
Posted by admin on September 15, 2011
Following an extensive Pre-Qualification and Tendering process, WMS are delighted to announce that we have been accepted onto Sanctuary-Shaftsbury Housing Association's Framework Agreement for the delivery of Reactive Repairs and Void Preparation Works across the South-West.
The geographical spread of the works fits perfectly with the WMS operational area. The contract will be serviced by all three company offices, with Torrington's Minor Works and Reactive Maintenance Delivery Team co-ordinating the works.
First Solar PV Panel Contract
Posted by admin on September 15, 2011
WMS have been awarded thier first contract for the installation of PV Panels.
The company obtained a position as an Installation Contractor to the Alliance Homes Framework Agreement for the delivery of PV Panels to approximately 1200+ homes in North Somerset. This contract is using the highly successful LCX Solar package featuring Aleo-Bosch Panels and a state-of-the-art remote management system.
To achieve the required volumes, WMS has put together three teams who are delivering approximately 20 systems a week. This includes an electrician trained by Western Power Division for working on the DC side of domestic customer installations. The company have also developed an in-house survey and design team who are producing schematics using the acknowledged PV-SOL software package.
WMS gain MCS Accreditation
Posted by admin on September 14, 2011
On 28th April WMS obtained MCS Accreditation via NICEIC for the installation of Solar PV Panels.
This marks a new chapter for the company and its first diversification into new markets.
Operations Manager Andy Powell states that "The renewable energy market is expanding rapidly. Since the company is strategically based in the area of England that will benefit most from alternative energy, it seemed a logical decision for us to enter this market. Initially our specialism will be Solar Photovoltaic Panels but we will explore other technologies as they develop. This diversification will also compliment our existing Business Strategy."
