Team members treated to powerful motivational talk and performance from one-handed concert pianist
June 7th 2022: The team at award-winning construction, refurbishment and fit out contractor, Gilbert-Ash, recently met for the company’s inaugural Spring Summit, which included a powerful performance from one-handed concert pianist, Nicholas McCarthy.
Nicholas is a graduate of the Royal College of Music in London, which Gilbert-Ash recently refurbished, paving the way for future generations of talented musicians to learn their craft in modern and inspiring teaching spaces.
He provided powerful words of motivation to employees, taking them through his own personal journey and great determination, as well as treating everyone to an awe-inspiring performance at The Mac in Belfast on Thursday May 26.
The chart-topping pianist, who shared the stage with Coldplay at the closing ceremony of the London 2012 Paralympics, spoke to the team about resilience, as the company met to reflect on the past year’s work and set out priorities for the year ahead.
The special event was also live streamed to Gilbert-Ash colleagues together in central London, with even more tuning in online from various locations and sites across the UK.
In Belfast, a number of Gilbert-Ash’s project teams took to the stage for a panel discussion to reflect on recent projects and to share learnings across the company.
Gilbert-Ash employees also heard exciting plans for how the company will prioritise its journey to net zero and learned about the ambitious and innovative strategies which will lay the foundations for a future in sustainable construction.
Setting out the priorities for the rest of the year, Managing Director, Ray Hutchinson paid tribute to everyone for their hard work and professionalism.
He said: “Our Spring Summit was an excellent opportunity to take a moment and reflect on the wonderful work which has taken place across our company during the previous period and for our teams to share learnings.
“It is also important that we come together to outline our business agenda for the year ahead. We are a team and it is vital that everyone in the company is aware of our priorities as we work together as one to achieve them.
“Listening to Nicholas McCarthy speak and perform live was such a privilege. He is a remarkable young man who possesses extraordinary amounts of resilience and determination, and it was inspiring to listen to his story.
“Gilbert-Ash completed a major refurbishment of the Royal College of Music in 2020 and it was fitting to hear Nicholas, who is now an Honorary Member, speak about how the new facilities will inspire some of our most talented musicians for generations to come.”
Some of Gilbert-Ash’s landmark projects in recent months have included the refurbishment of the iconic AIR Studios in Hampstead, the refurbishment of the prestigious City of London Freemen’s School in Surrey and the design and build of the Levine Building at Trinity College, Oxford.