In November 2019 with no client base and a market that didn’t yet know it needed what Cube was offering, construction experts Nicola Slater and Mark Johnston took a leap of faith.
Previously following different career paths in the property and construction industry, the entrepreneurial duo joined forces to create Cube Construction Consultants.
Nicola Slater shares: “From a standing start, with no clients and little industry recognition of how construction management consultancy could help make a different to the successful outcome of construction projects, we set up Cube.
“At that time construction management consultancy seemed to be more accepted in the US or Australia rather than in the UK. However, we really believed we could support construction businesses, build best practice into every element of their construction process, so we forged ahead.”
As construction professionals with over 60 years combined industry experience, the Cube team is passionate about supporting contractors to enhance reputation and credibility by helping them to complete projects on time, protect margins, reduce client frustrations and mitigate project risk.
Initially they set out to provide business development support, process improvement reviews, construction expertise and training and mentoring services to the building and construction sector. And, while much of this is still part of what they do today, the pair have learned to evolve and adapt as new opportunities presented themselves.
Mark Johnston adds: “Having got the business off the ground from a standing start and weathered the storm of a global pandemic, we found ourselves working with some of the biggest names in the construction industry, providing construction management consultancy on projects such as the regeneration of an enclosure at London Zoo and a listed building at a historic university campus”.
In 2021, following independent audit and assessment, Cube became a Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) Chartered Construction Management Consultancy, having demonstrated an unwavering dedication to nurturing teams of highly qualified professionals. A proud milestone for Cube, demonstrating to clients and suppliers its ongoing commitment to the principles and values of best practice, ethical standards and professionalism.
All the while, alongside the independent project reviews and process improvement works, a comprehensive collection of their hands-on expertise was being captured, refined, designed and built into a construction management software platform, Milestone.
Fast forward to 2024, the Building Safety Act (BSA) has become a significant focus for Cube, as driving best practice is a core principle they share with their clients. Holding multi-disciplinary workshops in London and Nottingham has embedded them firmly in the discussion about where the industry is heading in terms of competency and best practice.
The Cube team has developed a range of BSA training courses directly with clients and in conjunction with the CIOB, on understanding the BSA and most recently, Principal Contractor Competence and Legal Duties.
Construction consultant Mark Johnston MCIOB, NECReg has also become Vice Chair of the CIOB Nottingham Hub, to be actively involved in providing leadership, direction, and inspiration to stakeholders, supporting individuals and companies to realise their potential through the application of best practice.
Since 2019, the Cube team has been able to combine its in-depth construction industry knowledge into industry leading Building Safety Act training courses and a BSA compliant construction management software tool, while keeping significant construction projects on track through construction management consultancy.
Not bad for the first five years! Connect with Cube to keep an eye on what comes next 👀.