We are delighted to announce that last week, John Dineen, our Ganger Foreman, celebrated 40 years with Fitzgerald Contractors Limited!
John’s journey with Fitzgerald’s began in 1985 when, as a keen and enthusiastic 21-year-old, he landed a job as a labourer through his cousin. It was a time when who you knew mattered, and with his father being in construction, it felt only natural for John to follow in his footsteps. John’s first job was at Stirchley in Birmingham, where, on his first day he met a colleague, Gary Bagley, who he is still working with today at Fitzgerald’s.
Now, after nearly 40 years, John holds the position of Ganger Foreman and is a highly valued and respected member of our Team. John’s still working hard on-site, recently helping us to complete our Blue Ribbon Roundabout scheme in Coventry and now part of our on-site team at Bishop’s Cleeve in Cheltenham where we are delivering highway and cycleway upgrades off the A435. Along the way, John’s become a trained Mental Health First Aider and serves on the Fitzgerald’s Employee Council, representing the views of all our site operatives.
Over the years, John describes standout projects as our high-profile Centenary Square Public Realm scheme in the heart of Birmingham, a job where the quality of our finished product was of paramount importance, Eastside Locks in Birmingham, and Knights Lane in Stratford. But it’s not just the projects that John says have helped shape his career – it’s the people he’s worked with and the evolution of the industry. John has seen construction become safer, with more focus on safety legislation, better protection, and training. He’s witnessed the industry take a stronger stand on mental health, working with organisations like Lighthouse to encourage open conversations and support. Technology has also made its mark, with handheld iPads now the norm for communications and testing, making work more efficient and connected.
For John, the most important part of his job is looking out for his colleagues and the public. Safety is always the top priority, but he also takes pride in delivering high-quality work and ensuring the client is satisfied. He believes in being open and transparent, always making sure to communicate, especially if things aren’t going as planned. Talking to clients and listening to the communities in which he is working has been essential in creating John’s deeper understanding of each job and the local environment in which he is working.
John is very modest, but states that if there is any secret to his success, it lies in his continual desire to learn. He’s always eager to take in as much knowledge as possible, learning from those around him, and he’s never afraid to make mistakes, stating that you can’t learn if you don’t make mistakes. John says that Fitzgerald’s have supported him every step of the way, offering the opportunity to gain qualifications and build his knowledge.
The most rewarding aspect of working for Fitzerald’s, John says, is the people. The friendships he’s made and the camaraderie he’s built, through working on site and celebrating the good times, has created bonds that last a lifetime. He’s also proud of Fitzgerald’s leadership, pointing to the move to become employee owned just over a two years ago, which gave everyone a deeper sense of belonging. John’s role on the Employee Council has allowed him to help implement positive changes for our operatives, such as improvements to wet weather PPE suits and the instigation of employee long service rewards.
Like everyone in the industry, John faces challenges, and for him, it’s often the tough weather conditions. But as he puts it, you just have to grit your teeth, get out there, and help your mates. It’s a mindset that has served him well throughout his career. Looking ahead, John isn’t ready to retire just yet. He plans to keep working at Fitzgerald’s for a few more years. He’s optimistic about the future of the industry, hoping that the younger generation continues to find the same passion and opportunity he did. He’s keen to play his part in helping the next wave of operatives coming through at Fitzgerald’s by passing on his experience and the things he has learnt. Beyond that, John says that music, sport, and travel will be a big part of his retirement plans, particularly efforts to continue to improve his drumming. But, thankfully for us, we are not at that point yet.
Managing Director Nick Coley said: “We’re extremely grateful for John’s 40 years of hard work and the support he has provided the business and his colleagues. John’s journey with Fitzgerald’s is a true testament to dedication, hard work, and the lasting relationships he’s built along the way. John is passionate about his work and Fitzgerald’s. Following the move to employee ownership, in 2022 John became a key member of our Employee Council, enabling our site teams to input directly into how the company is run for the benefit of all our employees. Thanks, and congratulations John on a fantastic achievement.”