Michael Fegan proud to have played a role in biggest ever refurbishment of National Portrait Gallery
鈥淲hen I was given the opportunity to 鈥楳ake My Mark鈥� on the National Portrait Gallery, it was an incredible moment and a chance I couldn鈥檛 pass up.鈥�
Those are the words of Michael Fegan who was the engineer as award winning construction and fit out company, Gilbert-Ash completed the biggest refurbishment in the history of the world famous National Portrait Gallery in London.
His comments come as Gilbert-Ash launches a major new campaign to celebrate the outstanding achievements of its people and help the company attract the industry鈥檚 best talent as it seeks to cement its reputation for delivering generational projects.
Now a site manager, Fegan said his career continues to move forward with Gilbert-Ash as he looks for further opportunities to work on iconic projects.
Fegan said: 鈥淓ver since I was young, I have always had an interest in building things. With Gilbert-Ash I have been able to take this passion and build a really satisfying career.
鈥淲orking on the National Portrait Gallery really lived up to my expectations. I have been back since the project completed and it was a pleasure to be there as a visitor and watch people enjoy the gallery knowing I played a part in its transformation.
鈥淲orking on the Gallery was a pleasure, especially when you consider the history of the building and volume of priceless portraits on display there. I can鈥檛 think of too many other companies where you get the chance to work on such prestigious projects.鈥�
He has also spoken of his pride as his career progresses at Gilbert-Ash, moving from Engineer to Site Supervisor and now Site Manager.
Fegan said: 鈥淕ilbert-Ash is a great company to work for. You get opportunities to travel, live in new cities and work on some really exciting projects. As my career has progressed, I have felt supported every step of the way.
鈥淎t Gilbert-Ash we have an 鈥楢s One鈥� ethos which means we place huge importance on working as a team. This can mean different things but when it comes to career development it means you will have the support of the senior people around you and in turn you will support the people coming through.
鈥淲e lean on each other and help each other a lot, which makes for a great working environment.
鈥淭o date the National Portrait Gallery is the project I am most proud of and I鈥檓 looking forward to returning to it in 10 years and reminiscing on how I 鈥楳ade My Mark鈥� there.鈥�
Fegan is currently the site manager on Gilbert-Ash鈥檚 拢26m project to redevelop Barnfield College in Luton.
The works mark the second phase of a major project to transform the existing Barnfield College into one campus with scope for future growth.
Gilbert-Ash鈥檚 contract includes the design and build of a four-storey concrete frame specialist teaching block, providing teaching spaces, staff spaces and break-out areas. In addition, the project includes landscaping, car parking and external walkways.
The new building will provide state-of-the-art facilities for the College鈥檚 construction and engineering students. It is also set to create employment opportunities with student numbers expected to rise significantly as a result of the new campus.
Gilbert-Ash鈥檚 projects have been shortlisted for the Royal Institute of British Architects鈥� Stirling Prize four times including the Lyric Theatre in 2012, the Giant鈥檚 Causeway Visitor Centre in 2013 and more recently in 2021 for Cambridge Central Mosque, with the Everyman Theatre in Liverpool winning the coveted award in 2014.
The firm has also been shortlisted in this year鈥檚 好色先生TV Awards in the Social Value category for their work with the community during the construction of hub by Premier Inn, Clerkenwell, London.
Gilbert-Ash managing director, Ray Hutchinson, said the company, which works across 44 different countries, is extremely proud of all the projects it has delivered to date.
He said: 鈥淕ilbert-Ash delivers projects in sectors including workplace/office, hotels & leisure, arts & culture, education, residential, student accommodation and healthcare. We also have an excellent fit-out team.
鈥淲e have already established an excellent reputation for the work we do in these sectors, but we want to continue to develop as a company, making Gilbert-Ash an employer of choice, and of course to continue to work on amazing projects.
鈥淥ur people can say their work can be viewed in the National Portrait Gallery or they have quite literally created the stage for world class musicians to deliver virtuoso performances. When you work for Gilbert-Ash you work on projects which make a difference.
鈥淲e have a unique approach to construction, fit out and refurbishment. It鈥檚 based on our belief that great buildings come about through hard work, inspired innovation and genuine collaboration.
鈥淥ur detail obsessed and creatively fearless teams have, and continue to, build more than just buildings. They build places and spaces that define communities, and our 鈥楳ake Your Mark鈥� campaign underlines these efforts.
鈥淭he 鈥楳ake Your Mark鈥� campaign celebrates Gilbert-Ash being one of one, not one of many.
鈥淲hen you join our company you will have numerous opportunities to deliver projects which will form unique portfolios of work which you can look back on with pride and the knowledge that your contribution made a difference to project, people and the planet.
鈥淲e are inviting the best people to join us so you can 鈥楳ake Your Mark鈥�.鈥�
To find out more about Gilbert-Ash visit
