Featuring Clive Hemming, Principal Project Surveyor – Registered Building Inspector Class 3H
Some people build careers. Others build legacies. With over 35 years in building control—20 of them at Salus—Clive Hemming brings more than technical knowledge to the job. He brings consistency, integrity, and the kind of experience you can’t fast-track.
We spoke with Clive about his journey from apprentice plumber to Principal Project Surveyor, why great projects start with trust, and how mentoring the next generation is just as important as meeting the regs.
From the Tools to the Top
Clive’s career began with plumbing tools in hand. “I was an apprentice plumber, then did my HNC,” he explains. That path led him into property services, and eventually into building control at local authority level.
In 2005, he made the leap to Salus—and hasn’t looked back since. “I had a cushy number at the council,” he says with a grin. “But I met Paul Morris, went for the interview, and that was that. No regrets.”
Fast forward nearly two decades, and Clive is now a Principal Project Surveyor, juggling technical reviews, site inspections, and mentoring younger team members.
Autonomy, Accountability, and the Joy of a Good Client
What keeps someone in the same company for 20 years? For Clive, it comes down to three things: autonomy, respect, and client relationships built on mutual trust.
“At Salus, you’re given the freedom to run your projects. Of course there are peer reviews and processes, but you manage your own workload—and you choose who you work with.”
That last part matters. Clive has worked with some of his clients for nearly two decades. “They trust us. They don’t haggle fees. They want to do the job properly—and that’s all we need to do our job properly too.”
He sums it up simply: “You’re only as good as your client base.”
Experience You Can’t Google
Clive’s dual role means managing the paperwork and showing up on site at just the right moments. “There are two parts to what we do,” he says. “Plan checking and project management, and then the site inspections.”
Both require expertise—but it’s on site where experience really matters. “You can read British Standards all day, but it’s no substitute for being there, seeing how it’s done.”
It’s also where communication counts. “I always say to the team: tell me when the drains go in, when you’re closing up ceilings, when you’re ready for a final visit. Timing is everything.”
Mentoring: The Next Legacy
Though Clive stepped back from managerial roles during the pandemic, his passion for mentoring never faded. “I love taking newer staff like Zoe out to site. There’s so much you can’t learn from a screen.”
He sees mentoring not as a duty, but a privilege. “You’ve got to invest time in people. Otherwise, it doesn’t work. That’s how we’ve built the team we have.”
And it’s not just about training. It’s about passing on the attitude that has served him so well—respect the work, respect your team, and work with people who want to build things properly.
Why Culture Still Matters
Despite being in a technically demanding role, Clive often returns to the human side of the job. “When the job gets done and everyone’s happy, it’s because the people involved share values.”
It’s a recurring theme: values, trust, respect. Whether he’s mentoring a new team member, reviewing plans, or walking a site with a contractor, Clive brings the same mindset—build well, and build relationships just as carefully.
Final Thoughts: Still Proud, Still Curious
Clive may have seen building control evolve through multiple eras, but his passion hasn’t faded. “I enjoy work. I’ve got good clients, a strong team, and the freedom to do the job right.”
And as for the next generation of surveyors? “We’ve got to invest in them. That’s the only way this profession stays strong.”
From humble beginnings to deep industry respect, Clive’s story is more than a timeline—it’s a reminder that in building control, the best foundations are built on trust.
Clive Hemming
Principal Project Surveyor – Registered Building Inspector Class 3H
BSc, MCABE, IEng
M: 07500 776 358
Email
With over 35 years in building control—20 of them at Salus—Clive Hemming brings more than technical knowledge to the job.