About

Michael Barnes MCIOB

Thirty-five years in construction. The last two decades on prime central London residential.

MB

Portrait to follow

Michael began on the tools in 1988 and moved into construction management in 1999. He has run projects for the Byrne Group, OD Projects and DE Group Contracting, and now takes appointments directly as CMS.

The work has settled into a specialism: ultra-prime residential in constrained urban sites. Grade II and Grade II* listed buildings. Deep basements formed beneath buildings that have to stay standing. Structural reconfiguration where the finished result must show none of it.

He is often brought in to take over — projects that have stalled, or that need a clear route to completion and one person willing to own it. That means holding the programme, the budget and the quality at once, and managing the clients, consultants, local authorities and neighbours who all have a view on the outcome.

CMS is deliberately one person. The client appoints Michael, and Michael is who turns up on site.

Career

  1. 1988

    Chubb Alarms

    Technical apprenticeship in security and emergency systems.

  2. 1990s

    Security & electrical

    Senior engineering and technical management roles.

  3. 1999

    C.A. Hall Construction

    Into construction management — commercial and residential, inception to completion.

  4. 2000s

    Byrne Group

    A decade: Site Manager to Senior Project Manager. Henley, New Bond Street, St John’s Wood, Soho Square, Highgate.

  5. 2017

    OD Projects

    Landmark refurbishment in prime postcodes, including 33 Portland Place.

  6. Now

    CMS / DE Group Contracting

    Chelsea, £36m mixed-use. A £10m specialist care facility in Holland Park.

Qualifications

Chartered, and current.

  • Member of the Chartered Institute of Building (MCIOB)
  • CIOB Site Management Diploma
  • NVQ Level 4, Site Management
  • SMSTS certified
  • CSCS Platinum card holder
  • Temporary Works Coordinator
  • Health, Safety and CDM management training
  • First aid qualified
Conserved Robert Adam plasterwork at 33 Portland Place, a Grade II* listed residence.

CMS was set up to do one thing: take a small number of demanding projects and see each of them through personally.

Michael Barnes MCIOB · Construction Management Solutions

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