Carman Contracting recently celebrated a milestone, as Project Manager Greg Watts marked his fourth anniversary with the company.

Greg joined Carman in March 2021 after running his own building and maintenance company for 13 years.  His connection to the firm came about through a chance meeting with Director and Co-Founder James Selwood while on honeymoon in Mauritius in 2005. The two stayed in touch, and the friendship eventually led to the opportunity to join Carman years later.

Over the past four years, Greg has overseen several high-profile projects, including the £1.2 million USK House office refurbishment in Newport, which took six months to complete. However, his most challenging project was managing fire door installations across 17 live sites simultaneously.

“The handover of USK House after six months of hard work is probably one of my main highlights so far," said Greg. “I also clearly remember my first job on the outskirts of London, which involved dealing with residents and contractors.”

Greg’s role has evolved significantly since he started working with Carman Contracting. He joined us as a project manager and quickly became involved in all aspects of the business, from moving materials to labouring, "You name it, I did it," explained Greg. Today, he heads up the company’s fire division, generating work, creating quotes, and managing labour. 

Greg thrives on the fast-paced nature of the work and the team culture at Carman. “It can sometimes be like a rollercoaster but is always enjoyable,” he remarked.

When Greg joined us, he brought his varied career background and a wealth of practical and creative experience, including industrial design, CAD design, and sales expertise. He holds a 2:1 degree in Industrial Design/Product Design from the University of Birmingham and a BTEC in Design and Art. His earliest industry experience came from renovating houses with his quantity surveyor father, from the ages of 11 to 17 years old.

Life outside of work is just as varied for Greg. He is a family man who cherishes time with his wife, three children (aged 16, 14, and 11) and their cocker spaniel.  A former rock band player (with the obligatory long hair and black leather jacket) Greg still plays several instruments, including bass, rhythm guitars, drums, and sings “a bit.” He also enjoys travelling to new destinations and continues his passion for drawing and art whenever possible.

“I never imagined 20 years ago, when I met Greg in Mauritius, that we’d be working together one day,” laughed James Selwood. “But on a serious note, his work ethic and energy are a huge asset to the team. He’s been a big part of Carman’s growth over the past four years, and we’re lucky to have him with us.”