When it comes to professional growth in construction, few milestones carry the weight and recognition of becoming a Member of the Chartered Institute of Building (MCIOB). At MGM Construction, we’re proud to celebrate Craig Jenkins, who has recently achieved this respected status, marking an important step in his career and a proud moment for the entire team.
For Craig, who leads MGM’s Heritage Department, achieving chartered status is both a professional and personal accomplishment. It reflects years of dedication to quality, safety, and leadership in the built environment, as well as a deep commitment to ongoing development in a constantly evolving industry.
A Journey of Reflection and Growth
The path to becoming Chartered is rigorous, requiring candidates to demonstrate competence across key professional areas such as health and safety, project management, ethics, and leadership. For Craig, it was as much a process of self-reflection as it was of assessment.
“The process helped me take a step back and really evaluate my experience,” Craig explains. “It wasn’t just about listing tasks, but about showing how I applied industry standards and upheld professional values in real-world situations.”
Balancing a demanding workload with the detailed written submission was one of the toughest parts of the process. Craig credits the structure and feedback provided by the CIOB for helping him stay focused. The experience, he says, made the final achievement feel even more rewarding.
Leadership and Heritage Expertise
Since joining MGM Construction just over three and a half years ago, Craig has played a key role in the company’s evolution. When he first came on board, MGM was a small, specialist team of three focused mainly on stonemasonry. Today, it has grown into a respected heritage contractor delivering complex conservation and restoration projects across the North of England.
Craig now heads up the Heritage Department, overseeing pricing, health and safety, and client relations across multiple schemes. Among his proudest achievements are the ongoing works at Auckland Castle, including the Curtilage Walls, The Great Garden, and the Cart Shed & WMT scheme, collectively representing around £1.7 million in value.
“Working on such a culturally significant site has been incredibly rewarding,” says Craig. “Beyond the scale or complexity, it’s the trust and relationships we’ve built with The Auckland Project team that make it special. There’s a real sense of shared purpose and respect in preserving this site’s legacy.”
A Culture of Support and Development
Craig is quick to acknowledge the role MGM Construction has played in supporting his journey to becoming Chartered. The company’s leadership, including Managing Director Phil Burridge, Commercial Director Chris Evans, and Operations Director Ian Avis, all played a part in encouraging his progress and creating space for professional development.
“MGM has always encouraged professional growth,” Craig says. “I’ve been given the flexibility and support to upskill, and that’s something I really value. It’s inspired me to pass that same support on to others in the team as they pursue their own career goals.”
Championing Professional Standards in Construction
For Craig, professional chartership isn’t just a personal achievement; it’s about raising standards across the wider industry. He believes the MCIOB designation plays a key role in promoting accountability, technical excellence, and ethical working practices across all areas of construction.
In the heritage sector, where modern standards must coexist with centuries-old craftsmanship, the value of chartership is even more evident. “It’s about respecting the past while embracing the tools and innovations that protect it for the future,” Craig explains.
Passion, People, and Purpose
Craig’s journey in construction began with a stonemasonry apprenticeship, and that grounding continues to shape his approach today. “Restoring historic buildings feels like helping preserve a piece of history for future generations,” he says. “It’s incredibly rewarding, and seeing our apprentices develop that same pride in their work keeps me motivated every day.”
Away from work, Craig enjoys golf, gardening, and spending time outdoors with his wife and son — a well-earned balance to life on site.
Recognising Achievement and Inspiring Others
Craig’s MCIOB success is more than an individual milestone; it’s a reflection of MGM Construction’s ongoing commitment to nurturing talent, supporting professional development, and maintaining the highest standards across every project.
His journey serves as a reminder that at MGM, investing in people isn’t just part of the business; it’s what drives it forward.