Adam Scales
London
Summary
Construction and development professional with over 13 years' experience delivering residential developments and high-end construction projects across London and the South East. Career has been built across property development, principal contracting and project leadership, giving a commercially driven perspective that extends beyond construction delivery alone. Have led projects from development appraisal and planning through procurement, construction, contract administration and completion, working alongside architects, structural engineers, contract administrators, specialist subcontractors and private clients to deliver complex residential schemes. Specialise in bringing clarity, structure and commercial discipline to technically and commercially challenging projects. Whether delivering a £2.5 million residential development, resolving contractual issues or guiding projects through difficult stakeholder environments, Focus remains the same: making sound decisions, reducing risk and maintaining momentum while delivering exceptional quality. Throughout career have built a reputation for solving problems, remaining calm under pressure and bringing confidence to complex projects where programme, commercial and technical priorities must be carefully balanced.
Overview
1
1
Certification
13
13
years of professional experience
Work history
Managing Director
Otterburn Construction Ltd
London
2024.05 - 2026.08
- Founded Otterburn Construction to deliver high-quality residential refurbishment, extension and structural alteration projects throughout London. Responsible for strategic leadership of business, overseeing commercial performance, procurement, project delivery and client relationships.
- Grew business from start-up to approximately £1m annual turnover within two years.
- Lead procurement, programme management, JCT contract administration and consultant coordination.
- Develop long-term relationships with architects, contract administrators, structural engineers and specialist subcontractors.
Director / Senior Project Manager
Swanage Ltd
London
2013.10 - 2024.05
- Worked alongside Managing Director within residential property development company, taking responsibility for operational delivery from acquisition through construction and completion while supporting funding and investment decisions.
- Helped establish 18-property residential portfolio valued at approximately £11m.
- Led development appraisal, planning coordination, procurement and construction delivery.
- Delivered projects with construction values up to £2.5m.
Project Manager / Contracts Manager
Firfield Property Services Ltd
London, England
2020.10 - 2021.08
- Appointed to lead successful completion of £2.5m residential development for institutional real estate investor and luxury Mayfair penthouse refurbishment, ensuring both projects were delivered to programme, budget and client expectations.
- Directed quality assurance, defect resolution, commissioning and client handover across complex, high-specification residential projects.
- Coordinated architects, consultants, specialist subcontractors and suppliers to maintain programme momentum and resolve technical issues during highest-risk phase of delivery.
- Strengthened client confidence through proactive project leadership, contributing to successful project close-out and stakeholder satisfaction.
Education
Executive MBA -
Warwick Business School
MA (Hons) - Politics
University of Edinburgh
Skills
Project Leadership
Commercial Management
JCT Contract Administration
Programme Management
Construction Management
Procurement Strategy
Risk Management
Certification
- PRINCE2 Practitioner
- SMSTS
- Cert CII
Career Highlights
- 13+ years' experience across residential development, construction and project leadership.
- Founder and Managing Director of Otterburn Construction Ltd, growing the business to approximately £1m annual turnover within two years.
- Helped establish an 18-property residential portfolio valued at approximately £11m.
- Delivered residential developments with construction values up to £2.5m.
- Executive MBA (Warwick Business School) in progress.
- Strong experience in procurement, JCT contract administration, commercial management and multidisciplinary project leadership.
Timeline
Managing Director
Otterburn Construction Ltd
2024.05 - 2026.08
Project Manager / Contracts Manager
Firfield Property Services Ltd
2020.10 - 2021.08
Director / Senior Project Manager
Swanage Ltd
2013.10 - 2024.05
Executive MBA -
Warwick Business School
MA (Hons) - Politics
University of Edinburgh