Our team bring a unique blend of technical expertise and professional experience to the management and delivery of logistically and structurally challenging projects in high profile locations.
Between them, our board of directors bring years of diverse construction industry experience and a wealth of technical expertise. Facilitated and accelerated by an autonomous business structure that eliminates unnecessary delay, all decision making is governed by rigorous due diligence.
Safeguarded by appropriate checks and balances, our agile operational approach enables us to swiftly identify, analyse and capitalise upon opportunities when they present themselves.
Paul brings nearly 40 years of experience in construction and deconstruction to his role as Chairman of the DE Group. Alongside his appetite for structurally or logistically challenging projects, Paul is also a published authority in the remediation of dangerous structures.
His expertise in this field and his role as Chairman of NESST (National Emergency Services Support Taskforce) have seen him play instrumental roles in countless emergency responses, including many high profile incidents. These include the 2011 London riots, Grenfell Tower and Storm Eunice’s damage to the 02 Millennium Dome to name a few.
Graduating from the University of Greenwich in 1993 with a BSc Honours degree in Building Surveying, Ashley’s career has seen him become an authority in asbestos abatement and removal. He established Deconstruct with Paul Ford in 2009, followed by the formation of further “DE” companies over subsequent years, becoming Group Managing Director in 2014 — a role which sees him work closely with the Board of Directors to ensure the continued robust growth and development of the DE Group.
As the Group’s SHEQ Director, Marc is responsible for ensuring that the Group maintains the highest levels of governance and standards with respect to occupational health and safety and quality, also ensuring that our environmental and sustainability strategies are continually developed, implemented, and challenged. Alongside his role within the DE Group, Marc volunteers for United Kingdom International Search and Rescue (UKISAR), which has seen him deploy on operational responses in Turkey following the earthquakes in 2023 and supporting the team on other international training deployments. This volunteer role extends to the UK where he works with USAR teams from Fire & Rescue Services across the country.
Joining Deconstruct at its inception in 2009, James is the Group Commercial Director, responsible for all commercial aspects of the contracting businesses within the group. With a focus on complex central London projects, he provides support for Deconstruct, De Group Contracting and Decontaminate and is responsible for seamless co-ordination of packages between our companies.
Having joined Deconstruct after completing a degree in Accounting & Finance in 2010, Raj held a number of operational roles within the DE Group of companies before being appointed Group Finance Director in 2018. His role sees him working closely with the team to maintain robust compliance whilst taking overall responsibility for the Finance & IT functions for the group as well as maintaining close relationships with key stakeholders.
As DE Group’s Business Development Director, George is responsible for establishing and nurturing new and existing client relationships, as well as marketing and early engagement for our contracting businesses. Working on multiple aspects of the business since joining in 2010, his clear and inherent understanding of our technical capabilities, combined with his ability to piece together the wider development picture, has helped him develop a variety of procurement routes that best suit our clients’ needs.
Since graduating with Distinction in 1999, Mick has worked in civil engineering in Scotland, the South East and London, with extensive experience encompassing groundworks, temporary works, demolition projects and structural alterations to historic buildings. Attending the University of Derby to study Advanced Concrete Technology in 2012, he’s also a specialist in reinforced concrete. It’s this wide-ranging expertise that he brings to his roles as MD of Deconstruct and Group Board Director for the DE Group.
Having worked in the construction and fit-out sector in central London since 1989, Robert brings a wealth of experience and expertise in a variety of procurement routes to his role as Managing Director at De Group Contracting and Group Board Director for the DE Group. Driven by a focus to expand the DEGC services into high-end fit out, refurbishment and construction across London’s commercial, residential, hotel, later living, care and leisure sectors, his enthusiasm and team ethic help ensure that client expectations are not only met but exceeded.
Claire joined DE Group in July 2018 as Group SHEQ Administrator, becoming Group Training Coordinator and HR Administrator the following year. Challenging but rewarding, this combined role enabled her to help colleagues progress across all aspects of their careers. Helping guide DE Group through all aspects of HR and training, she became Associate Director of Group HR and Training in 2022.
Patrick, a qualified TechIOSH Health & Safety Advisor, brings an in-depth understanding of prevailing Health and Safety legislation to the table. With a specialised focus on large-scale construction projects, he boasts a wealth of experience in effectively mitigating construction risks and upholding stringent safety standards for all personnel involved. Patrick distinguishes himself by being hands-on and actively engaging in on-site activities such as observation, inspection, auditing, and mentoring. Committed to aligning site standards with current legislation, DE Group policies, procedures, and expectations, Patrick holds Level 6 NVQ Construction Site Management and NEBOSH National Construction Certificate, underlining his commitment to excellence in health and safety management.
Building on her background running ISO systems for pre-cast and ready-mix concrete, Helen joined the BSI, working as an ISO auditor across construction, waste management, manufacturing, civil engineering, and legal sectors. She then became an independent consultant assessor, delivering management consultancy services alongside independent BSI assessments, before joining DE Group in 2022 as Group Sustainability and Systems Associate Director, overseeing all Management Systems activities, including external audits, delivery of the company’s Net Zero roadmap, sustainability and environmental initiatives and group social value activities.
Joining Deconstruct as a receptionist in 2015, Katy has since worked her way up to Office Manager for the DE Group, a role that encompasses all aspects of administrative support to ensure the daily smooth running of the office. Working closely with a third-party company, she is also DE Group’s gatekeeper for IT, ensuring that all issues are dealt with swiftly, as well as setting up equipment for new staff, greeting visitors and maintaining office stationery and consumables.
