James Grant

JAMES GRANT

James is a business development and client relationship professional accustomed to working in challenging, political and fast paced environments. James has expertise in building new and strengthening existing partnerships across B2B. He is a specialist in creation and implementation of communications and marketing plans using broad media platforms. James has a superb knowledge of the Tees Valley and wider North East.

How did you get into construction?

It’s been quite the journey – and definitely not a traditional one. I started out studying International Hospitality Management at university, and after 15 years in operations management, I made the leap into aviation.

With the rise of devolution across the UK, I found myself in the public sector, where I led communications for major local & national initiatives, including the UK’s first Freeport and the country’s largest brownfield development zone, Teesworks. Spotting the right opportunity to return to the private sector, I joined K2CM to support the company’s growth in the North-East, in turn driving our flagship project within ESG.

Do you have a favourite building?

In our family, we have a running joke that I have a top ten of bridges, rather than buildings. It purely stems from frequently driving across the Flintshire bridge near Queensferry to visit my mum in North Wales. It’s really not that remarkable a structure but it just resonates with me, I love it. Now every other bridge we see, I’m ordered to re-rank my favourite bridges. The list does feature more interestingly a helicopter ride over the Golden Gate Bridge and Middlesbrough’s Transporter bridge – the icon of Teesside.

What’s your personal philosophy?

Keep smiling!

What do you enjoy most about your role?

Pure and simple it’s the variety. Everyday is different. New and existing clients to meet, interesting projects to develop and a series of networking events as long as my arm to attend which support our business’s growth and exposure.

Flashback to when you were 10 years old. What do you want to be when you grow up?

Be James Bond – easy

What are your passions outside of work?

Rather predictably golf, Sheffield United and really good food and wine.

What do you think are the best skills that you bring to your job?

I’d say I’m pretty flexible - I can adapt quickly when things change, which they often do. I also don’t take myself too seriously, which I think helps keep things grounded and makes it easier to work with people. And over time, I’ve built up a lot of trust with the teams I work with. People know I’ll get the job done, and that goes a long way.

What advice would you give to someone looking to get into what you do?

Don’t be worried about where you start or about getting anything wrong. My career path is far from traditional, and you’ll pick up so many transferrable skills, you just won’t realise. My son has just started an apprenticeship within the sector, he wants to do what I do, but he’s going about it in a very different way. I will guarantee in a year or two, he’ll change his mind too and decide his own career path, far different to me.

What might someone be surprised to know about you?

Leslie Ash (Men Behaving Badly fame) used to be my babysitter!