In this series, we find out more about some of the key people who give their time to support the JCT Young Professionals Group (JCT YPG). We will look at our interviewees’ background and how they got into the industry, the importance of their contribution to JCT YPG specifically, and gain their views on JCT’s wider role within the industry.

Bailey Ellis 

JCT: Bailey, tell us a bit about your background. What is your current role, and why did you decide on a career in the construction industry?

My career began as an electrical engineering apprentice in Lincolnshire, where I specialised in automation and robotics solutions for the food, beverage, and agrotechnology sectors. This technical foundation gave me valuable hands-on experience with building services and systems. A couple of years later, I transitioned into local authority building control, which opened my eyes to the broader world of surveying and construction. 

Recognising that I wanted to advance my career through formal education, I made the decision to leave employment and pursue a degree, becoming the first in my family to obtain higher education. After graduating in 2024, I initially joined Savills in Leeds before relocating to London, where I now work as a building surveyor within JLL’s Central London Office Occupier Markets team. 

In my current role, I focus on dilapidations, technical due diligence, contract administration, and project management. 

I chose the construction industry because I’ve always been fascinated by architecture and the opportunity to work within exceptional buildings. Building surveying offers the perfect combination of technical analysis and practical problem-solving that keeps me engaged. What particularly excites me is working on high-end premium properties in  London, from prestigious historic buildings to cutting-edge modern commercial developments. The opportunity to be immersed in these architectural environments is incredibly rewarding, and the geographical fluidity of the role opens up exciting possibilities to work globally  in my future career. 

JCT: How did you first come to be involved with JCT’s Young Professionals Group? Why do you think it is important to be involved with the new focus group?

I became involved with JCT’s Young Professionals Group through my interest in expanding my professional network and contributing to industry development. As someone relatively early in my surveying career, I recognised the value of connecting with peers across different disciplines within the construction industry to gain a more comprehensive understanding of how various roles interconnect. 

What I find particularly rewarding about being involved is helping to facilitate events and networking opportunities that bring together young professionals from diverse backgrounds. This involvement has allowed me to meet people from across the wider industry, providing me with a holistic view of the construction sector that extends well beyond my immediate role in building surveying. I believe it’s crucial for young professionals to engage with groups like this because they offer invaluable opportunities to learn from different perspectives, understand industry challenges from multiple angles, and build relationships that can enhance both personal development and collaborative working throughout our careers. 

JCT: Can you tell us about any specific work you’re currently doing that has any association to JCT and its contracts (e.g. any case studies/webinars/podcasts/blogs/vlogs)?

A large part of my job is acting as contract administrator. I currently have three live projects being delivered under JCT contracts; two large Cat-B office fit-outs, and refurbishment works on a high-profile listed embassy building. Administering the contract provides me with invaluable hands-on experience with JCT contract administration procedures and  direct insight into how excellent these contracts are to work with in practice. 

 My role working as contract administrator broadly involves managing the day-to-day administration of the JCT contract, including handling variations, coordinating between stakeholders, and ensuring compliance with contract terms. What I’ve found particularly impressive is how well-structured and clear the JCT contracts are, making them genuinely practical tools for effective project delivery. These experiences have deepened my understanding of how JCT contracts facilitate effective project delivery and maintain clear lines of responsibility between all parties. 

Additionally, I’ve been actively sharing knowledge about JCT contracts within JLL by delivering CPD training sessions to our graduates. These sessions have focused on the new Target Cost Contract and the 2024 suite of contracts, helping to ensure that emerging professionals understand the latest developments in JCT contract forms. This training work has not only reinforced my own understanding of the contracts but has also allowed me to contribute to the professional development of my colleagues, raise awareness of the new developments, and promote best practice in contract administration. 

JCT: Do you have any personal career highlights so far?  

I’m incredibly proud of how quickly I’ve been able to grow into my role at JLL, particularly given that I’m relatively early in my surveying career. The positive feedback I’ve received from colleagues, clients, and consultants has been enormously encouraging and has given me confidence to take on increasingly challenging work. 

One of my biggest highlights to date has been mostly leading on the assessment of a complex £24.2m dilapidations assessment for a premium office building in central London. Whilst I had support from senior colleagues, being entrusted with such a significant and technically demanding project was both challenging and rewarding. The complexity of the assessment required detailed technical analysis and careful consideration of various legal and practical factors.  Successfully delivering this work has been a real confidence boost. 

Another major milestone was running my first project as contract administrator through to practical completion. Managing the entire contract administration process from start to finish gave me invaluable experience and demonstrated how much I’ve developed since joining the industry. Outside my day-to-day role, I’ve also enjoyed competing in the Surveyor Sevens. It has been a fantastic way to connect with peers across the industry whilst doing something I’m passionate about and representing JLL on a national level. 

I have to say that working at JLL has been transformative. Being surrounded by the smartest people in the industry creates an environment where you’re constantly learning and pushing yourself to higher standards. What’s struck me most is the exceptional quality of people I’ve met throughout this journey. They’re not only top-quality professionals who excel in their fields, but genuinely nice people who I am now friends with outside of work. The nature of my role, combined with involvement in groups like the JCT Young Professionals Group, has opened doors to meeting these remarkable individuals across the industry. 

I must give enormous credit to all the people I’ve met along the way who have helped me achieve these highlights. The support, mentorship, and guidance from colleagues, clients, and industry contacts has been instrumental in my development, and I’m grateful for everyone who has invested their time in helping me grow professionally.

JCT: What are you most proud of about the construction industry as a whole and where do you think it most needs to improve?

What I’m most proud of about the construction industry is the exceptional quality of development I’m seeing, particularly in London. The standard of commercial developments i is genuinely world-class, with buildings that seamlessly blend cutting-edge design with functionality and sustainability. I’m also impressed by the industry’s increasing focus on regeneration projects that breathe new life into former industrial areas, and the growing emphasis on creating buildings that prioritise occupant wellbeing and environmental performance. I’m particularly encouraged by the growth in apprenticeship programmes across the industry, which are providing excellent pathways for young people to enter construction and develop meaningful careers. 

However, I believe the industry needs to improve in several areas. 

Firstly, AI adoption in construction is happening much slower than in other industries. According to an ONS Business Insights report, the construction industry has one of the lowest AI adoption rates, with only 12% of businesses using these technologies, compared to 21% of UK businesses overall. We face barriers in developing AI tools specifically for construction use and, crucially, in getting people to invest the time to learn and implement these systems effectively in their daily practice. 

Secondly, we have a significant recruitment challenge. The average age of the construction workforce is increasing, with projections showing it will rise from 42 years in 2023 to over 46 by 2050. We are struggling to attract fresh talent to address a major skills shortage, with estimates suggesting an extra 251,500 workers are needed by 2028 to meet demand. The industry needs to do much better at showcasing the exciting career opportunities available and demonstrating that construction offers genuine innovation and strong career progression. 

We also need to close these skills gaps through genuine collaboration between industry, academia, and policymakers, championing digital transformation and sustainability across the built and natural environment. 

Perhaps most frustratingly, our project delivery speeds can be slow compared to other world-leading countries. While some reports suggest the UK is poised for strong growth, studies have also shown that UK road and rail projects can have the highest absolute unit costs compared to a peer group of developed nations. Addressing these challenges while maintaining our high-quality standards is essential for the UK construction industry to truly lead the world.

JCT: Does JCT and the Young Professionals Group have a wider role to play in the industry beyond producing contracts?

Yes, absolutely. Whilst producing clear, practical contracts remains JCT’s core function, both JCT and the Young Professionals Group   play important wider roles. 

JCT contracts themselves serve a collaborative purpose by providing standardised frameworks that everyone in the industry understands and can work with. This common language helps reduce disputes and keeps projects moving. The organisation also provides guidance, training, and resources that help practitioners actually use the contracts effectively in practice. 

The Young Professionals Group has a crucial role in connecting emerging talent from across the industry. By bringing together people from different disciplines and backgrounds, it breaks down silos and creates networks that last throughout our careers. It provides a platform for young professionals to discuss industry challenges, share knowledge, and learn from each other’s experiences. This is particularly valuable for addressing the recruitment and skills challenges I discussed earlier, as it demonstrates that construction offers genuine opportunities for professional development and career progression. 

By fostering this community of engaged young professionals who understand how contracts work in practice and are committed to using them properly, both  JCT and the Young Professionals Group contribute to better project outcomes and help ensure the next generation is equipped to deliver successfully.