Palace of Westminster
Infrastructure, security and life-safety work in an operational parliamentary estate, across roles with Mitie Engineering, CBRE and Wates Construction.
SENIOR CONSTRUCTION LEADERSHIP · UNITED KINGDOM
Complex projects.
Clear leadership.
I’m Cornelius Popi. I lead commercial fit-out, capital projects and complex estates works, bringing more than 15 years of UK construction experience to live, occupied environments.
Programme. Safety. Quality. Commercial control.
Cornelius PopiSenior Construction Manager
15+years of UK construction experience
£500k–£20mcommercial fit-out & capital programmes
Live estatesoperational, secure & heritage environments
01 / APPROACHKeeping delivery
Keeping delivery
moving forward.
Good site leadership connects the people, the programme and the detail.
My experience spans multi-site retail programmes, infrastructure and life-safety upgrades at the Palace of Westminster, and specialist restoration at the Old War Office. I coordinate contractors, manage risk and keep clients informed throughout delivery.
Safe, compliant delivery
Risk assessments, method statements, inspections and control of high-risk activities.
Commercial discipline
Contractor valuations, change control, cost forecasts and clear reporting.
Continuity in live environments
Phased work and coordinated teams to maintain services while projects progress.
Quality through handover
Progressive assurance, digital compliance records, formal sign-offs and documentation.
SELECTED PROJECT ENVIRONMENTS
Trusted with places
that keep working.
02 / CAREERExperience
Experience
built on delivery.
From hands-on site management to regional programme accountability.
JAN 2024 – PRESENT
Senior Construction Manager
Basebuild Services for Sainsbury’s PLC · United Kingdom
Accountability for commercial fit-out and capital programmes valued at £500k–£20m across multiple concurrent sites.
- Manage day-to-day site operations, subcontractors, programme, administration and safety records.
- Deliver small works, valuations, change control and cost forecasting for senior stakeholders.
- Scope and manage FM service contracts, audit vendor performance and maintain service levels.
JUL 2022 – DEC 2023
Construction Project Manager
Wates Construction · Palace of Westminster, London
Delivered complex infrastructure upgrades within a Grade I listed, secure and operational estate while maintaining service continuity.
- Coordinated subcontractors, consultants and site teams against programme milestones.
- Oversaw CCTV, access control, intruder alarms and structured cabling upgrades.
- Resolved operational issues and produced technical reports, programme updates and cost forecasts.
APR 2021 – JUL 2022
Construction Site Manager — Heritage Restoration
Paye Stonework & Restoration · Old War Office, London
Led heritage stonework restoration for the Grade II listed Old War Office, managing specialist contractors and conservation architects.
- Enforced safety protocols and proactive risk management.
- Managed progressive quality assurance, inspections, formal sign-offs and operation and maintenance documentation.
NOV 2016 – MAR 2021
Construction Site Manager
Wates Construction · Palace of Westminster, London
Accountability for the fire compartmentation package within the Palace’s life-safety programme, managing specialist subcontractors and statutory compliance.
Implemented audit and inspection regimes with photographic logging and digital compliance records.
MAR 2016 – NOV 2016
Construction Site Manager
CBRE · Palace of Westminster, London
Led mechanical, electrical, fire alarm, security and fire compartmentation works in basement service corridors. Controlled site expenses alongside quantity surveyors and managed resource allocation.
OCT 2011 – MAR 2016
Construction Site Manager
Mitie Engineering · Palace of Westminster, London
Coordinated subcontractors and site resources against project specifications, maintained site documentation and adapted priorities to evolving client requirements.
03 / EXPERTISEThe tools and
The tools and
judgement to deliver.
Planning & control
Critical path analysis, recovery planning, phased handovers and programme management.
Microsoft ProjectAsta PowerprojectPrimavera P6
Reporting & coordination
Technical reporting, document control, digital compliance records and BIM coordination.
Advanced ExcelAconexViewpointAsiteNavisworks
Technical & commercial delivery
CDM compliance, life-safety commissioning, BMS integration, business continuity, procurement, FM specification development and supplier management.
04 / QUALIFICATIONSLeadership backed
Leadership backed
by training.
NVQ Level 7
Construction Senior Management
SMSTS & Black CSCS
Site Management Safety Training Scheme · Construction Project Manager card
Level 5 Diploma
Health and Safety · IOSH Managing Safely
Management & professional development
Temporary Works Coordinator · Project Management Diploma · Diploma in Building Surveying (Level 3)
First aid, welfare & behavioural safety
First Aid at Work (3-Day) · Mental Health First Aid · Lone Worker Safety
Fire, asbestos & high-risk compliance
Duty to Manage Asbestos · Asbestos Awareness (Managers & Supervisors) · Fire Safety Level 3 · Fire Marshal Training · Fire Awareness — Construction
Working at height, confined spaces & access
Working at Height Level 3 · Confined Spaces Training · Scaffold Training · Ladder Safety Training
Environmental, electrical & plant safety
COSHH Level 3 · Legionella Control Level 3 · Noise at Work · LOLER · PAT Testing · Advanced Electrical Safety · Abrasive Wheels
LET’S TALK
Your next project.
My experience.
Discuss senior construction, site management or project delivery opportunities.