Construction News

Thu March 28 2024

Related Information

Bratt and Foster join ocon board

23 Jun 10 Manchester-based Ocon Construction (part of the Opal Property Group) has appointed Rob Bratt and Martin Foster to its board of directors, creating two new board posts and recognising the contribution of the two senior figures.

Martin Foster, who at 32 becomes the company’s youngest board member, has been promoted to the post of finance director. He first joined the Opal group in 2004 as a management accountant and has risen through the ranks, earning promotion first to the role of Ocon’s financial controller and then to group financial manager before formally joining the board in his new role.

Comments Martin: “It has been a difficult couple of years for the construction industry and I have enjoyed the challenge of helping Ocon to consolidate its position in a difficult market and ensure that we are poised to make the most of opportunities going forward.  In my new role, I will continue to focus on building on the company’s financial stability, ensuring we have the cash flow in place to move quickly on projects and managing our financial compliance in line with the company’s best practice approach to meeting legislative requirements.”

Meanwhile Rob Bratt has been promoted from group commercial manager to commercial director after just two years with Ocon.  Rob joined Ocon as commercial manager in February 2008 and within just three months was promoted to the group role.  He has an enviable track record in the construction industry having previously worked for Vinci and Jarvis, where he was commercial manager.  Latterly he was commercial director at sustainable energy specialist, Vital Energi, and his promotion at Ocon sees him formally taking on a board position once more.

Related Information

Rob comments: “We have built a robust business model based on a reliable supply chain, a progressive approach to risk management and an emphasis on working openly in support of our ethical and honest approach across all our dealings with clients.  This has ensured that, despite dips in turnover during the economic downturn, we have been able to grow our profitability and have expanded both geographically and in terms of our client base.  As group commercial director I will be involved in maximising commercial opportunities whilst maintaining consistency and delivering quality across all we do.  Ocon is well placed to achieve these goals and I’m delighted to join such a talented board leading such an experienced team.”

Rob and Martin’s promotions follow the recent appointment of new managing director, Andy Barker, who was himself promoted from the role of senior project manager.

Andy adds: “One of the major reasons that Ocon has remained so successful is that we nurture and reward talent so we have built a team with hands on experience at a senior level.  Rob and Martin’s promotions recognise their valuable contribution to Ocon’s continuing success and we congratulate them on their achievements.”

Got a story? Email news@theconstructionindex.co.uk

MPU
MPU

Click here to view latest construction news »