An interview with Scott Steward, St Hilliers’ Senior Site Manager:
What is your role and area of expertise?
I’m a Senior Site Manager currently working on ‘The Waterfront’ project in Gosford, NSW. Day to day, I ensure safety and quality compliance and plan to hit the necessary critical path programmed items. My primary focus is on achieving the best possible outcomes for our clients, stakeholders, subcontractors and suppliers whilst maintaining relationships with all involved parties. I have a strong focus on flagging buildability issues and regard this as my most important responsibility on-site. I like to lead by example when it comes to problem solving and conflict resolution and lean on my experience to identify and prevent project disruptions.
How long have you been in the industry?
Having worked in the construction industry for over 28 years, I commenced a Carpentry apprenticeship with Fletcher Constructions in 1994, aged 16 years old. Following my apprenticeship, I worked my way up to Leading Hand, and eventually took on the role of Sub Foreman before becoming a Site Manager.
Working across numerous areas within the industry, including health care, retail, data centres, multi-storey residential, aged care and education, I have experience working for several tier 1 & 2 companies. Since entering the industry, my interest has been in large commercial works, as I love seeing a project from its inception through to handover.
What is your career highlight?
Throughout my career, I’ve been involved in a number of successful projects that I consider to be my highlights. Dillwynia Women’s Correctional Facility in Windsor, NSW, was one of the most interesting and successful projects I have worked on to date. Whilst at St Hilliers, I have also assisted in the delivery of a range of challenging and exciting projects: Thornton Stage 3B, Penrith Public School, Kent Rd Public School, Monaro High School, Holsworthy LIA and currently, Gosford North Tower.
St Hilliers has always supported me in my role and trusted the decisions I have made. Being a family-run business, It’s been great to have two of my sons join me at St Hilliers! My second eldest started as a site administrator in 2019, followed by my youngest, who recently commenced his carpentry apprenticeship and is undertaking work-experience with the company.
What are your plans/ goals for the future?
Working in the Central Coast Quarter for the past 18 months, I am looking forward to successfully executing the Gosford North Tower Project with my team. The project involves numerous stages and I’m eager to oversee the CCQ development from commencement through to completion.
A long-term goal I have is to transition into a role within St Hillier’ ECI or project planning department. I have many close colleagues that I can rely on for advice or direction; thank you to Sam Rutherford, Geoff O’Shea, Andrew Cummins, John Butler and Peter Barrett (my mentor) who have all been invaluable during my time so far at the company.
We asked Peter Barrett, St Hilliers’ longest-standing staff member (and Scott’s mentor), about his experience working alongside Scott:
Our paths first crossed back in 1996: Scott as an apprentice carpenter, just starting out in the world, and myself as a first-time project manager, working on a 150 townhouse development in Birchgrove NSW. (We should have purchased a couple back then, but who was to know). Fast forward to 2017, Scott joined St Hilliers as a Site Manager on an apartment block development where I was working as a Safety Manager. Scott has been a pleasure to work with ever since! Many a project has had Scott’s signature stamp of completion; his absolute attention to detail on every part of a build sees him continue to successfully hand over projects to happy clients. A dedicated asset to St Hilliers, we should all admire Scott for his commitment to always doing the right thing.
