People look to London as being the hub of construction; assuming it offers the best opportunities in terms of project size, quality and variance, money and prestigious clients. However, things have shifted over the last few years. People are starting to recognise the benefits of staying local, and that’s why I moved South 5 year ago. Instead of commuting into London, they are working with clients that may well be smaller but offer a good work/life balance. Southern England is busy with new housing developments and regeneration projects which has led to salaries in the region going up.

The benefits to staying south is there is no extortionate rail costs and no travel time wasted on a packed train to London, which means more time at home with family or enjoying your free time. You can soak up the relaxed culture, live by the sea, enjoy the wide-open spaces, and it is a great place to bring up children.

We have lots of opportunities locally; we work with top tier contractors and award-winning residential developers as well as smaller regional companies. The South is bearing exciting fruit and is ripe for the pickings.

Martin Randall, Branch Manager: Southampton