In the latest instalment of our new blog series – which focuses on the brilliant people behind the scenes at Leach – we enjoy 60 seconds with Edward Thorpe, who describes his role, his favourite food and what he couldn’t live without…
Name: Edward Thorpe
Role: Bid manager
Briefly describe your role:
My role mostly involves carrying out the costing of graphics production and the installation for museum and heritage projects in the UK and overseas. We’ve had the pleasure of working on an amazing selection of locations – from small UK museums that might only have a few rooms to major new builds overseas.
In more recent times, I’ve been venturing out to visit clients and enabling them to ‘put a face to a name’ which is always good, in addition to writing lengthy tender submissions with tight deadlines – sometimes less fun, but a vital way for us to secure certain industry work. I’m constantly learning about new products and evolving processes, so my job never stands still.
How long have you been with Leach?
About three and half years – I started here as a senior estimator and last year progressed to bid manager.
What’s been your favourite project to date?
Hard to choose – there are so many that cross my desk! Two in particular stand out for me from the last year or so – the first one was at Auckland Castle where the customer had been let down at short notice and we were able to step in quickly. The other was for Historic Environment Scotland, as my interest in the past means that working with such heritage sites is a dream! The latter was also my first major win as bid manager – being able to make site visits to places as beautiful as Melrose Abbey and Dryburgh Abbey was an unexpected bonus!
Describe Leach in 3 words:
Innovative, evolutionary and special.
And how would your colleagues describe you in 3 words?
Approachable, studious (you have to be in this job!) and mildly-eccentric – it’s that interest in history again!
The best thing about working at Leach is…
The diverse customer base – that sends me such a broad range of enquiries – and the fantastic colleagues who support me in my role.
What top tip would you give to a client?
There’s always someone at Leach who can help you to find an innovative solution to a project, so don’t be afraid to ask or get put off because we’re not in London (we’ve successfully completed projects in places as far away as New York, Kuwait and Yekaterinburg!)
And finally,….
What’s your favourite food?
For someone guilty of the sin of gluttony that’s probably the hardest question of the lot – having said that, there’s a lot to be said for a nice sirloin steak…
What’s the one thing you couldn’t live without?
Can I cheat and have two? If so, history books to remind me of where we’ve come from, how people have discovered innovative solutions and hopefully help me avoid some of the mistakes of the past. And music, particularly The Beatles.
When I’m not at work you’re most likely to find me…
Enjoying the fresh air with my other half while walking our dog Louie, having a good laugh with my daughter or watching football – I’m a fan of both Huddersfield Town and my son’s team! If there’s any time left after all that – reading.
