Established ACE: Mark Short is Managing Director of Absolute Civil Engineering Limited established the company in November 2008.
Experience: Mark’s carrer in Civil Engineering began 26 years ago when he joined Taylor Woodrow, one of the UK’s largest housebuilding and construction companies.
He then worked with H J Banks Construction and then John Hellens (Contracts) Ltd. where he was Managing Director before forming his own company.
Qualifications: B Eng (Hons) Civil Engineering.
Memorable jobs: “I was Project Manager for the construction of the Foot & Mouth Burial Site for Defra in 2001. This was a fast-track scheme and involved construction works integrating with the burial of livestock, as well as dealing with environmental issues and protestors. An interesting project, and one where I lost a considerable amount of weight!
“Another project I carried out, from inception to completion was the reclamation and infrastructure of the former Explorer Site in Consett, Co. Durham. This was a design and construct contract which involved the reclamation of a former industrial site, opencast and contaminated site (former tar pits). It involved bio-remediation as well as complicated earthworks, services diversions, retaining structures and remediation for the end use of housing.
“This scheme was awarded the ‘North East Civil Engineering Contractors association (CECA) 2006 Project of the Year. I personally received the award at the CECA Annual dinner in November of that year, on behalf of my company at that time, John Hellens (Contracts) Ltd.”
What is the biggest benefit for clients working with Absolute Civil Engineering?: “ACE have a wide range of experience in various civil engineering disciplines. We are willing to give our time and resources to client’s at the ‘front end’ of projects in order to introduce value engineering solutions and hopefully longer term savings.
“Our design & construct ability (using a team of tried and trusted consultant partners) as well as our confidence in providing a ‘fixed price’ are also a very strong trait for the business going forward.
“Our motto is ‘build on trust’. We actively adopt a non-adversarial approach to contracting, and will point out potential pitfalls or shortcomings on a scheme rather than exploit them. This is even more important in the current economic climate when Client’s need surety and minimum of financial exposure.
“We strive to ensure a quality product first time.”
Philosophy: Consett-born family man Mark is keen for Absolute Civil Engineering to make a positive contribution to the local community: “I’m very proud to have established the new company in Derwentside, and equally proud to be working on the regeneration of the Former Consett Steelworks Site, where I was born and my father worked.
“I’m keen to employ local people (90% of our workforce live in the Derwentside area) and have instilled an ethic to use local contractors and suppliers where possible.
“I’m an active member of, and still play for Consett Over 40′s football team, sponsor of Shotley Bridge Cricket Club and member of South Moor golf Club where the company holds a corporate membership. However there is still much room for improvement in my Golf.”