Ten minutes with Adam Ives

Last updated on 20 September 2023

Meet Adam Ives, Senior Project Manager in the Capital Development Team at the University of Leeds. He works on managing all phases of building projects across campus, from appointments through to delivery.

Describe your job in a few sentences

My background is as a Chartered Building Surveyor but more recently I‘ve made the transition into a full time project management role in the Capital Development Team.

I manage building projects across our very diverse property portfolio. Typically this involves appointing and managing design and construction professionals, advising and delivering on procurement strategy and managing the construction and delivery phase of a project through to completion.

I’ve been at the University for nearly seven years and really enjoy building relationships with academic, operational and senior colleagues who we have supported to deliver a large number of projects to improve our estate for the students and staff who use it.

Tell us about a current project

I’m working on several specialist laboratory refurbishment schemes which means managing specialist professionals and suppliers to ensure that spaces are fit for purposes to meet the University’s research objectives.

One of these, in the Sir William Henry Bragg Building, involves installing an electromagnetic shielded chamber to house two microscopes.

The design team are working closely with the microscope manufacturers to ensure the area is fit for purpose and meets strict electromagnetic and anti-vibration criteria.

The lab is very close to other sensitive research laboratories so  great care has been taken to design out any interference between the two.

What aspects of your work do you think are the most important to people at the University (staff/students) ?

For our staff and students to perform to their best, they need facilities which allow this to happen. My position allows me to directly change our physical estate, across the campus, which in turn provides an environment which is fit for purpose and allows people to achieve their potential.

I’m a small piece of a big team of professionals whose varying disciplines allows us to make a difference so that our students and staff can achieve their potential. I’m very proud of that.   

What do you like most about your job?

No two days  are the same and the fast-paced environment challenges me with a wide variety of problems – every day is a school day!

I get the opportunity to work on complex and innovative projects that are very varied, and  that is difficult to find in other sectors. And I love that we are supporting the next generation of thinkers and doers with our work. I find that very rewarding.

Tell us about a project you are particularly proud of

A highlight has definitely been the extensive refurbishment and remodelling of the Brotherton Library Special Collections Research Suite including the John Bedford Room.

The scheme completed in early 2022 and the work was done during the pandemic –  which presented a unique and challenging set of constraints – but the finished space looks and feels fantastic. They now have a modern work area which been sympathetic to the adjacent grade two listed Brotherton Reading Room, and the overall effect is stunning.

Part of the scheme included the installation of a large mezzanine floor, with feature windows, which repurposes existing atrium space to provide much needed research space for the library.

The team effort from our external design consultants, main contractor, internal operational stakeholders and faculty colleagues resulted in an enjoyable project which delivered a space that everyone should be proud of.