Meet Peter Lewis from our Contracts Department

Our latest ‘meet the team’ interview focuses on Peter Lewis, who came out of retirement early this year to join our Contracts Department.

 How did you get into the world of contract management.

I was working for a local garage in their showroom when I was approached by the company secretary of ISOVEL Contracts. The business was literally 200 yards up the road from my current job in Epsom. Their manufacturing plant and head office was based in Andover which meant I would have to move my young family and start a new life in Hampshire. It was a little daunting but a great opportunity.

Did you have any formal training in contract management?

No, back then it was very different. I didn’t have any academic qualifications, but I clearly had an eye for detail and a thirst for resolving disputes. It was the first time in my life that I felt that I had found my niche, the more I learned about contract management, the more I wanted to know.

What have been the highlights of your career?

I discovered the Confederation of Contract Specialists who were based in Aldershot. At that time the founder John Huxtable was campaigning for the rights of specialist subcontractor within the construction industry.

It was a huge turning point in my career when the Confederation invited me to sit on the contracts board.  I then went on to become a trustee and then progressed to Chairman. During my 18 years with the organisation, it evolved and continues to do so, when I left the organisation, they had developed and provide arguably industry-leading, focused, and proven training courses for the construction industry.  

What where you doing when you chose to retire?

As Senior Contracts Manager I moved from Chubb Fire and Security to another United Technologies entity Toshiba Carrier business based in Leatherhead. I spent three years in the role driving 40,000 miles a year around the UK provided training courses and resolving contractual problems historic and as they happened. In August 2017, I decided it was time to start enjoying a more leisurely lifestyle with my wife who had already retired.

Why did you decide to come out of retirement?

After five years of gardening, painting, and decorating – and generally getting under my wife’s feet – I obviously needed something else in my life. I saw an advert for the Platform Lift Company which I knew was only a 15-minute walk away from my house.

It was as if the job was made for me. I am now working on a part time basis for the company and enjoying every second of it. I might be one of the oldest members of the team and not necessarily ‘down with the kids’ but I can still join in with the office banter.

The company is such a vibrant, fast-moving business. I am delighted to have my feet back under the desk instead of in a pair of wellies. This is a great opportunity to put my 36 years of experience in the Mechanical and Electrical contracting industry to good use – the DIY jobs at home can wait a few more years!