About us

The Building Heroes team

Building Heroes learning carpentry in a workshop.

Our story

Established in 2014, Building Heroes is dedicated to service leavers, veterans, reservists and military families. We provide training and employment support into a new career in construction by equipping individuals with a broad range of trade skills and then connecting them with a network of employers.

Recruit.
Reskill.
Redeploy.

Our mission

We join forces together - Armed Forces leavers, the education sector and the construction industry - benefiting all concerned. We are the gateway to second careers in construction for service leavers, veterans and their families. We remove the barriers of time, and money and provide welfare support and training leading to national job opportunities.

Our values

Collaboration

Excellence

Respect

Commitment

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

Award-winning work

We are proud to be recognised for the exceptionally hard work that the Building Heroes team put in every day, helping to recruit, reskill and redeploy those who have kept us safe.

Our trustees

Appointed
04 Jul 2014
Pete Bradbury
Trustee

Pete previously led a successful business career having worked for several major corporations. He is the District and County Councillor for Cuckfield, currently Chairman of West Sussex County Council, Vice-Chairman of the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Originally from Lancashire, Pete has lived in Sussex since 1977.

Appointed
16 Oct 2014
Debbie Porter
Trustee

Debbie Porter was a troop leader at Bristol Officer Training Corps whilst at University and from there joined the Army as a Movement Control Officer in the Royal Corps of Transport. During her Army career she served in the UK, Germany, Falklands and Cyprus. Since leaving she has worked with Nissan and then PriceWaterhouseCoopers for 22 years.

Appointed
03 Aug 2018
Andrew Foster
Trustee

Andrew joined the Army in 1974 as a recruit at  Pirbright, Surrey. Andrew completed Officer Training at The Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, he then commissioned in the Scots Guards in March 1976. His final appointment as a serving officer was as Head of the MOD’s Foreign Liaison Staff in London charged with a small team for assisting the 250 or more Foreign Service Attaches accredited to the UK.

Appointed
17 Jan 2020
Cllr Lt Cdr Noël Atkins RD MCIOF
Trustee

Noel qualified in the Royal Navy as: Watchkeeping Officer, Navigation Officer, Torpedo and Anti-Submarine Officer, Diving Instructor Officer, Communications Officer, Gunnery Officer, NBCD (Nuclear Biological Chemical and Damage Control) Warfare Officer.

Noel continues his association with the Royal Navy as chairman of the Worthing Royal Naval Association looking after the welfare of local veterans and widows.

Noel is pleased to serve as a trustee of Building Heroes both the Education Foundation and Property Services.

Appointed
27 Mar 2020
Richard Hamlyn Tucker MBE
Chairman of Trustees

Serving across theaters from Northern Ireland, Sardinia, Cyprus, Gibraltar and Germany, including specialist tours such as “Brixmis” and being part of the forward operating team for the 1st Gulf war, I left the RAF in 1996 under Options for Change, leaving with an MBA gained through the RAF “distant learning scheme”.

In November 2006, I achieved a desire to purchase a couple of property portfolios and set up my own Property Company which is still running today. With the need to maintain our growing portfolio, we established in 2015 Caring Caretaker as a Property and Maintenance Company which todays employs 41 personnel of which 17 are ex veterans 3 are service dependents.

Appointed
15 May 2020
Michael John Betteridge MBE QGM
Trustee

Mick joined the Royal Marines in 1985 and served for 23 years. Mick had a very successful career between 1989 – 2008 and saw operational deployments globally including Gulf War 1 and Sierra Leone. He was awarded the Queens Gallantry Medal in 1995 and made an MBE in 2000. Mick retired from the Royal Marines in 2008.

Appointed
09 Dec 2022
James Whitmore
Trustee

James has been involved with property all his working life and following a main board directorship at Dorrington Plc set up his own development company in 1995,therefore has a good understanding of the construction industry and the vision of Building Heroes. He is involved in a number of businesses, trustee of a London-based charity, governor of two schools, and the current High Sheriff of West Sussex.

Our team

Brendan Williams
Founder

After 25 years of Brendan working at leading Global Investment Banks, working in Operations and Technology and as a Chief Operating Officer, it was time to give something else a go. Born into a long line of specialist master bricklayers, the opportunity to help start Building Heroes was too difficult to pass up. Being Chief Executive draws on all his cross disciplinary experience and brings more rewards than banking ever could. You only have to be told once that you have changed a life for the better to know all the hard work is worthwhile.

Harri Kallas
General Manager

Prior to joining Building Heroes, Harri worked in Business Management roles with both BT plc and Canon UK and his role with Building Heroes encompasses Finance, HR and IT.

The Royal British Legion also benefits from Harri’s skills as he combines being Secretary of the Legion in Hayes with his work at Building Heroes.

Harri is also Chairman of Hayes (Kent) Cricket Club, a keen golfer and passionate Manchester City fan.

Finlay Burchett
Business Administration Assistant

Finlay has a quiet, thoughtful personality and focuses on making sure that any task he is put to work on is completed quickly but to a high standard. Currently he is working as a Business Administration Assistant to improve his office skills and assist the charity in maintaining their standards of service delivery.

Glynis Argue
Human Resources and Armed Forces Ambassador

Glynis worked at Essex County Council for 27 years. She began as a Divisional Administrator where she assisted with the management of the County’s first Essex Enterprise Centre. During her last seven years with the Council she managed and developed various Apprenticeship programmes. She has been an active partner in a Construction company which has given her transferable skills to support Building Heroes.

Rachel Fianko
Recruitment Services

Rachel is a military wife and brings a wealth of experience after spending eight years in IT training, travelling across the UK working with the Ministry of Defence, Government organisations, security and aerospace sectors and the NHS. As a university graduate, she began her career as a Recruitment Consultant recruiting teachers and support staff in the education sector and is now supporting our learners into employment outcomes within the construction industry.

Nicola Schneider
Head of Community, People and Partners

Nicola, a marketing communications graduate, joined Building Heroes in 2023 as Head of Community, People, and Partners, following her role at Lovell Partnerships in communications, marketing, and brand development until the end of 2022. At Lovell, she initially served as Community Relations Manager for Major Projects, supporting stakeholder liaison for Service Family Accommodations on Salisbury Plain. After completion in September 2021, she transitioned to Lovell Later Living as Marketing, PR, and Customer Experience Manager. Nicola's responsibilities at Lovell included relationship development, community engagement, and support for Lovell Legacy initiatives, along with executing marketing and public relationship strategies.

In her current role at Building Heroes, Nicola leverages her experience to enhance internal and external communications, establish and expand Corporate Partnerships with the construction sector and beyond, and position Building Heroes as a key charity partner. The goal is to help organisations fulfil their Social Value commitments by supporting Tri-Service Military community members in their transition to civilian life through training and employability skills for a second career in the construction industry, bridging the growing skills gap within the sector while working to prevent veteran unemployment and the ensuing negative consequences.

Shamila Aslam
Centre Coordinator, Middlesbrough

Shamila has a background in education working for various organisations. She has a wide range of experience working with different client groups, employment, and recruitment. She is a committed individual who is always looking for positive outcome with those she works with.

Jason Renshaw
Centre Coordinator, Reaseheath

Jason joined Building Heroes, as the course coordinator for the Northwest region, at the beginning of September 2022. Prior to taking up this appointment he had a very successful career within the British Army between 1985 – 2022 (Private soldier to Major). During his 37 years’ service he has deployed on multiple operational tours including Iraq and Afghanistan and has a wealth of experience in Facilities Management, Logistics and Human Resources.

 

Jason completed the construction multi-skills course in July 2022 as part of his transition from the military into the civilian sector. As such, he has first-hand experience of what the course offers and the benefit of equipping individuals with a broad range of trade skills and then connecting them with a network of employers.

Megan Rees
Centre Coordinator - Cardiff

I come from a recruitment background, having worked in the care and legal sectors for the past three years. Therefore, I am able to offer extensive employment support to our learners, as well as, use my previous care connections to provide welfare support. I am new to the construction and military sectors but find it incredibly rewarding to help service leavers and veterans lead successful civilian lives. Working at Building Heroes has given me a new perspective on the Armed Forces and those effected by service - both those who serve and their families.

Danielle Neal
Centre Coordinator - London

Danielle has a vast array of experience within recruitment and progression in sectors such as manufacturing, care and voluntary services. She is fueled by her passion for helping others and is well versed in supporting learners and aiding them in finding suitable employment opportunities. She has previously led projects which have enabled learners to achieve their career goals whilst maintaining that all-important work-life balance.

Clare Guest
Centre Coordinator - Essex

Clare has been a military wife for almost 20 years now, experiencing the highs and the lows that come with military life. She previously worked for a military charity within their Health and Wellbeing Team. Prior to this, she has 22 years experience in customer focused roles. As a member of the military community she has experience to help tackle unemployment and support to transition into a new career.

Helen Faulding
Centre Coordinator - Blaydon

Helen has a wealth of construction, recruitment and IAG experience. She worked for 10 years with a large training provider offering construction skills and qualifications to unemployed 16-18 year olds and 19+.  Previous to this she worked for a large building company dealing with customers, employees and subcontractors. Now she manages our Groundworks & Streetworks course and our Green skills course up in the North East.

Steve Ricketts
Centre Coordinator - Sherford

Steve is currently the Sherford Skills & Training Coordinator in Plymouth at the biggest onsite training centre in the country where he has been part of two successful CITB bid submissions that have secured 6 years of funding for training at the Skills Centre. Steve was born in Portsmouth but left for Plymouth to study at The University of Plymouth in 1998. Between 1998 and 2005 he studied for an undergraduate, then a postgraduate degree at Plymouth University. During this period, he was elected as President of the Student Union, and became actively involved in politics. In 2006 he was successfully elected to Plymouth City Council holding various Cabinet posts such as Transport & Housing Delivery until 2018.   Steve has worked in ‘Welfare to Work’ for many years and in Plymouth‘s Drug and Rehab Centre. He also worked on the Erasmus programme helping EU students find high quality work placements in Plymouth while serving as an Army Reservist with Six Rifles.  Apart from a short spell in East London, working in one of the most deprived areas in the UK, helping long-term unemployed people into work he has lived in Plymouth ever since.  Steve manages our Plymouth Centre in the South West.

Philip Hay
Centre Coordinator - Ibstock

Phil joined the Building Heroes Team on 22 May 23 after serving over 38 years in the British Army. He joined the Royal Corps of Signals at the age of 16 as a Junior Soldier in 1984 serving around the world before retiring from regular service in Oct 22 as a Lieutenant Colonel after working in Army Headquarters in a Capability and Acquisition role.

A very experienced logistician with a wealth of knowledge in Facilities, Transport and Project Management. Prior to retirement and during transition form the Army to the civilian sector he attended the Construction Multi-Skills course in Jul 22 at Reaseheath Collage.

Lin Stockwell
Building Heroes Ambassador

Lin is a Councillor in Mid Sussex District Council representing High Weald Ward. She is currently a member of the scrutiny committees for Audit, Leader & Service Delivery and Planning & Economic Development. She also represents the District Council as Champion for the Armed Forces Covenant. Before retiring in 2012 Lin worked for Lloyds Banking Group, initially as a Customer Service Manager, then in Credit Risk Finance as an analyst and business support manager.

Stuart Cunane
Building Heroes Ambassador

I left the Army in 2020 during the start of the COVID pandemic. I had served with the Royal Engineers for over 38 years and was ready for a new challenge in life. Building Heroes - Property Maintenance Course was an ideal fit for my resettlement, my background in construction engineering had given mea basis to start my own handyman services and this course was an ideal foot on the ladder.

I was really impressed with the professionalism of the trade instructors - given the diversity, individuals skill levels on the course, their knowledge of their trade shone through. On completion of my training, I had the confidence and skills to refit my bathroom. I dipped my toe into the handyman business but due to family commitments this is now on the back burner.

I was so impressed with the Building Heroes ethos and commitment to helping ex-servicemen and women that I am now a volunteer working alongside the area co-ordinate, assisting with presentations and fund raising for this great charity.

Our expertise

Recruit, Reskill, Redeploy with fully-funded training and full support during and post course.

Our team draws on a wealth of experience to support individuals and companies looking for exceptional talent.

  • Supporting military service leavers, veterans, reservists and their families
  • Working with under-represented groups
  • Support throughout and after your course
  • Teaching employability and essential digital skills
  • Personalised support to fit your needs
  • Construction training with expert instructors
  • Employment after your course
  • Self Employment after your course
  • Further Training after your course
A male and female builder on site working together on a laptop.

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