Why I Put My Name on the Line: The Importance of Accountability in Sub-Contracting
In the world of pre-construction and large-scale infrastructure, "integrity" is a word often found in company brochures, but it is rarely tested until something goes wrong.
When you are managing an MDU development, a school refit, or a data centre build, the physical infrastructure is the building's nervous system. If that system fails—or if the contractor designing it walks away—the project doesn't just stall; it bleeds money.
The Cost of Disappearing Act
I recently witnessed a situation that perfectly illustrates the "blame-shift" culture I refuse to be part of. A client was left stranded mid-project because a contractor failed to comply with the project specifications. Instead of owning the error and sourcing the correct components, the company simply walked off-site.
The client was left with an incomplete system and the frantic, expensive task of finding emergency contractors to pick up the pieces. This isn't just a failure of engineering; it’s a failure of character. In my view, if you aren't there at the finish line, you shouldn't have been at the starting line.
The RAF Influence: Integrity is a Mission Requirement
My refusal to leave a client "high and dry" isn't just a business strategy—it’s my identity. My core values were forged during my time in the Royal Air Force, specifically within the 90 Signals Unit. In the military, integrity is a mission requirement. You are taught to be honest to a fault and to be the person who can be counted on when the stakes are at their highest.
I’ve carried those values into my civilian career. Whether I’m mentoring cadets as a Sergeant in the RAFAC or designing a network for a government hub, I operate with the same philosophy: My word is my bond.
Owning the "Snags"
No company is perfect. True reliability is shown not when things go right, but when they hit a snag. Recently at SCCI Alphatrack, we encountered a project where certain security equipment hadn't been fully accounted for in the initial scope.
The client was understandably concerned. Many in this industry would have used that moment to issue a heavy "change order" or argue over the fine print. We didn't. We assured the client that we would absorb the cost and hit the target deadline regardless. Why? Because their trust is worth more than a short-term margin. Today, that client knows exactly what they get when they work with us: a partner who stays until the job is done.
The 5:25 PM Phone Call
Being the "trusted person in a client’s armoury" means being the person they call at 5:25 PM on a Friday. It means answering with a genuine "How can I help?" and staying until a solution is found.
I don't just want to be another name on a tender list. I want to be the first person a developer calls because they know they are getting total commitment, diligent work, and a solution that fits.
In an industry of shifting deadlines and shifting blame, I choose to stand by my work. At the end of the day, it's my name on the line—and I wouldn't have it any other way.
