An interview with Tony Burton – Former G&T Senior Partner and Past Chair of the Construction Industry Council
Tony Burton, who spent his entire career with G&T before retiring in 2019, was recently awarded a medal by the Construction Industry Council (CIC).
Tony chaired the CIC from 2014 to 2016 and was recently recognised for his exceptional leadership and significant contributions to the CIC and the broader construction industry.
We asked Tony about his start in the profession, his time at the CIC, and his views on the future of the industry.
1. How did you first get involved with the CIC and become Chair?
I was contacted by the RICS, who were looking to nominate a surveyor for the position of chairman. It was an honour to be asked, given that CIC represents all of the built environment professions. I spent a year as the incoming deputy chair, two years as chair, and a year as the outgoing deputy chair. This system allowed time to learn the role and later impart wisdom. Afterwards, I remained a board member responsible for inclusive environments and served as Treasurer for my last few years with CIC. G&T has always been very supportive of members of the firm at all levels who want to contribute in some way to the wider construction industry.
2. How did your role at the CIC differ from your position as Senior Partner at G&T?
It’s very different from private practice. At G&T, decisions are generally made quickly, while at the CIC, with various professional bodies represented, finding consensus took more time. My predecessor at CIC likened it to “chasing squirrels” because the institutions at times moved in different directions. The key was to achieve the broadest possible consensus and usually we managed to do this.
3. How did you get your start in the built environment?
My uncle was a Quantity Surveyor on the Island of Jersey. In the early to mid-70s, degrees in quantity surveying were quite new. I think I was in the second or third intake of graduates at G&T. I was very fortunate to be offered a job at G&T straight out of university, which I accepted, and it turned out to be the best decision I ever made.
Today, it's more common for people to change firms, but I stayed with the firm for 40 years because there was always another opportunity or exciting project at G&T. In the built environment, you’re not doing the same thing for 40 years,
The project cycle is usually around 4 to 5 years but some can take a lot longer. There was never a time when I could get bored.