Nick Pettit GM QGM is Director of Estates at Worksop College and Ranby House, bringing more than 30 years of construction, infrastructure, project and estates experience across the military, commercial construction and education sectors.

Nick began his career with over 25 years’ service in Her Majesty’s Corps of Royal Engineers, working on construction and infrastructure projects around the world. During his military career, Nick was awarded both the George Medal (GM) and the Queen’s Gallantry Medal (QGM).

Following his military career, Nick spent three years running a construction training facility supporting excluded students and Year 10 and 11 pupils, using construction and practical skills as a means of engaging and developing young people.

He subsequently joined Simons Construction as a Project Manager, initially delivering a number of high-security upgrade projects before progressing to become Account Lead for a major banking client. His responsibilities encompassed all aspects of the account, including project delivery, strategic planning, commercial performance and profit and loss accountability.

Nick later returned to working internationally, operating in post-conflict countries and overseeing infrastructure reconstruction programmes designed to support the recovery of villages, communities and cities.

On returning to the UK, Nick joined RG Carter Construction in Lincoln, working in Business Development and Pre-Construction. This gave him further experience of the construction process from the contractor’s perspective, particularly procurement, tendering, buildability and ensuring clients received value for money.

Nick then moved back into the education sector as Director of Estates at Lincoln College, where he led the Estates and Facilities function and was responsible for the procurement and delivery of more than £19 million of capital projects. This included the circa £14 million Air & Space Institute in Newark, alongside a range of other major education estate projects.

Today, Nick is Director of Estates at Worksop College and Ranby House, responsible for the strategic management, development, compliance and operation of a diverse 350-acre independent-school estate.

Having spent his career on both sides of the construction table – as contractor and client – Nick brings a practical perspective to the procurement and delivery of education estate projects. His experience spans mainstream schools, further education and the independent-school sector, as well as commercial construction and international infrastructure.

He is particularly passionate about improving the relationship between education clients and the construction supply chain, encouraging architects, consultants, contractors and suppliers to better understand the operational pressures, safeguarding requirements and stakeholder expectations involved in delivering construction projects within live educational environments.