Leighton Curtis | Construction Planner
Experienced Construction Planner with Over 30 Years in the Construction Industry
With decades of experience being a construction planner, helping to guide projects from concept to completion, I specialize in creating efficient, cost-effective programmes that keep everything on track. Whether it’s a large-scale development or a smaller build, my expertise helps ensure your projects run as smoothly and as timely as possible. From on-site collaborative short term programmes to whole-project master programmes, I provide clear guidance and robust progress monitoring at every stage to bring the insight and experience needed to turn plans into reality.
Services
What I Specialise In
Every project I plan benefits from decades of experience as a construction planner and a dedication to getting it done right.
Pre-Construction/Tender Planning
Offering the ability and the experience to produce comprehensive tender programmes (even without detailed pre-construction information being available). Altogether, I have helped many clients secure work at tender stage.
Construction Planner
I am passionate about building relationships with the entire delivery team on a project, working with all parties to produce collaborative programmes.
Progress Monitoring & Reporting
Utilising a unique & successful system for monitoring progress on construction projects that has helped many clients deliver schemes on programme. Furthermore, I issue weekly progress dashboards that provide comprehensive information to the delivery team that greatly assist them.
MEP Services Planning
A number of years of experience in the delivery & progress monitoring of specialist MEP programmes, working on a number of prestigious schemes.
Cashflow Forecasting
Able to provide detailed cashflow forecasts by allocating cash resources to the programme to produce very accurate projections.
Collaborative Planning
Throughout my years of experience, I have facilitated a number of collaborative planning workshops on site & have a great deal of experience working with multiple disciplines to co-ordinate efficient & realistic short-term / target programmes.
Education & Experience
A Proven Background in Planning and Project Delivery
Demonstrating years of hands-on experience across diverse construction and development projects.
Education
CIOB Parts - 1 & 2 Examinations
1993 - 1995
Plymouth College of Further Education
HNC Building Studies
BTEC National Diploma In Architecture, Building, Civil Engineering and Surveying
1989 - 1993
South Devon College of Arts & Technology
8 GCSE's. All A-C Grades inc. Maths & English
1984 - 1989
Teignmouth Community College
Experience
Buzzard Planning Services Ltd - Director
2013 - Present
Self-employed senior planner, working on various tenders and contracts for 21 national and regional clients across the South West, Bristol, South Wales, and West London. In this role, I have been carrying out a wide range of duties, including tender planning, contract planning, site planning, resource and collaborative planning, and M&E planning. In addition, I am involved in peer reviews, weekly progress updates, pricing of preliminaries, and preparing logistics layouts, among other responsibilities.
Kier Western & Living - Senior Construction Planner
2011 - 2013
I was responsible for all tender planning within the South West region, working on many varied types of projects including housing, health, local government, education, commercial, leisure, and tourism. As a key member of the bid delivery team, I produce programmes and method statements for prequalification, first and second-stage, negotiated, and competitive tenders. Furthermore, I am part of the construction stream, working closely with site teams to prepare weekly progress updates on all live projects, while also assisting with detailed programmes as required.
Mansell Construction Services Ltd - Senior Construction Planner
2009 - 2010
In another capacity, I have been responsible for all tender planning within the South West region, contributing to a wide range of projects such as defence, health, local government, education, commercial, leisure, and tourism. As an essential member of the bid delivery team, I produce programmes and method statements for prequalification, first and second-stage, negotiated, and competitive tenders. Additionally, I work closely with site teams within the construction stream to prepare weekly progress updates for live projects and support the production of detailed programmes when needed.
Rok PLC - Regional Construction Planner For The Contracts Team
2000 - 2009
I have also taken responsibility for all tender and contract programming within the South West region, supporting a diverse range of projects that include education, commercial, retail, defence, social housing, leisure, tourism, and local authority developments. As a valued member of the bid delivery team, I create programmes and method statements for prequalification, first and second-stage, negotiated, and competitive tenders. Moreover, I am part of the contracts team, collaborating closely with site teams to produce weekly progress updates on all live projects and to assist with site programmes as required.
EBC Group PLC - Construction Planner & Land Surveyor
1995 - 2000
Working within the technical services department on projects throughout the South West of
England. Duties included, tender and on-site programming, progress monitoring, surveys of
potential development sites, scaffolding and temporary works design.
EBC Group PLC - Management Trainee
1991 - 1995
Joined as a trainee Site Engineer & Planner, based in the technical services department. Based
on site during this period, working on a number of projects across the West Country ranging
from £2 – £8 million.
Portfolio
Notable Projects I’ve Worked On
Take a closer look at the projects that define my 30+ years of experience as construction planner.
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In 2019 following an independent Sir Robert McAlpine site audit at Pinewood Studios, my progress reporting systems were recognised as best practice within their company. The project finished on programme.
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I helped to deliver the first phase of the west terminal extension on time, enabling passengers to use the new facility in time for the school summer holiday, which was a critical client driver.
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The tallest building in south west England. Worked on the mid-phase of this project, providing weekly, comprehensive progress updates & dashboards.
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Successfully helped to deliver this complex MEP scheme through the very challenging Lockdown Period (Covid-19).
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Successfully helped to deliver this complex and challenging scheme on programme.
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Involved in the coordination of the MEP programmes and logistics for two separate MEP sub-contractors.
References
Kind Words from My Clients
"Leighton is a great planning manager using very sophisticated reporting tools, that assist the project team in accurately quantifying site progress and successfully delivering the project. He had a very positive impact in successfully delivering PSDF 2."
"We would like to use your services in the future on projects as I have found your approach very refreshing in the fact that we work together and not individually. Leighton has continued to assist on site and has steered us on many occasions in areas where items could catch us out and as a result has helped us to move forward. I would definitely involve Leighton if I had the need to."
"Leighton offers a wealth of construction knowledge and experience which is invaluable to anybody about to start a construction project. Leighton’s professionalism, enthusiasm, reliability and affable personality compliments his technical ability. I have always found Leighton to be extremely approachable and has always added value to any construction project he has been involved with."
About Me
When I’m Not Planning
Singer-songwriter with albums streaming around the world. I’m also a qualified gym instructor, and I love staying active. My hobbies include tennis, kayaking, and indoor rowing. In addition, I’m passionate about mountaineering and have climbed every Wainwright fell in the Lake District, as well as the highest mountain in the contiguous United States. Moreover, I enjoy taking on extreme fitness challenges. In 2020, I completed a virtual US coast-to-coast challenge for charity, covering 5,000 km — the same as more than 118 marathons. When I’m not training, I paint and explore my WSET wine qualification with a well-earned glass in hand.
Contact Me
Get in Touch
Let’s discuss how I can assist with your next construction project.
