Employee profile – Sam Coley

What led you to where you are today?

I left school early as I wasn’t a very good student and studied bench joinery at college where I earned an apprenticeship at 14, obtaining my NVQ level 3. After 4+ years as a shopfitter, I went to serve in Her Majesty’s Royal Navy where I re-studied and became a man.

Upon leaving the Navy I wanted to see more of the world and went travelling around Asia and Australia, while earning money plying my trade at demolition, bricklaying, site carpentry, cabling hauling and even working on a banana farm!

I eventually came back from travelling having gained experience working in construction and knowing this was the industry I wanted to make a career out of.

I worked in a number of construction companies from small housebuilders to large contractors, building everything from high rises and offices to hotels and houses. I had worked with David Natusch in a previous role and when he asked me to join him at DDK, I accepted on the spot.

What attracted you to DDK?

It was the opportunity to work on a different type of specialist construction. I enjoy building different types of facilities and developing greater technical knowledge by working on all sorts of projects.

How have you found working with DDK?

It’s very fast-paced but I’ve had great opportunities for progression and I’ve been able to really take ownership of projects and, while DDK have all the necessary controls and process in place to successfully and safely deliver projects, put my own stamp on them rather than having to follow a very prescriptive or regimented approach.  I’ve found the company to be very agile and flexible.

Fun Fact

I used to box in the navy and for Frankie Gavin, raising over £30,000 for disability charities along the way.

While in Australia I played semi-professional football and scored against Zimbabwe reserves in a pre-season friendly.