Our Team

Charles Mortimer

Managing Director

What he says:

I started my journey with CML back in 1999, labouring for some enthusiastic brickies during the holiday breaks whilst studying Civil Engineering at University.  Since graduating and becoming a qualified Civil Engineer, I’ve spent over 20 years working in the industry not only at CML, but for one of the largest UK based civil engineering contractors, and also working overseas in the design consultancy sector to broaden my technical experience.  I’ve been fortunate to have held positions in design, site engineering and project management roles on a wide variety of geotechnical and structural projects, predominantly focused on the delivery of maintenance and renewals solutions for the UK rail sector.

I was appointed as Managing Director at CML in 2015.  I’m extremely proud of our people and the unique approach we take to doing business in this industry, one that reflects the family values upon which this business has been built and our commitment to delivery excellence.

When not at work I’m very much a family man, spending free time with my three young children.  And if they’ll let me escape then I like to spend any spare time running or cycling in the hills!

What the others say:

Charles is an engineer at heart, who is very proud of our company history and achievements, with an appetite for progress.  Professional, hard-working and open to new ideas. Likes to think of himself as a bit of an athlete when not looking after CML, although he’s no spring chicken anymore!

Maurice Deans

Operations Director

What he says:

My role is to oversee all delivery across the business in all the geographical areas we work. In a career spanning 6 decades, I started out as a British Coal Mining Craft Apprentice in the late 70’s, becoming a Mining Engineer in the 80’s having studied Mining Engineering at Nottingham Trent, then moving into Rail in 1994. From that point I worked through all levels of operational management within rail related construction, demonstrating growing competency and knowledge through experience and personal development, gaining an MBA along the way and most recently, becoming a Member of The Institute of Collaborative Working.

My passion is people, the individuals and teams I work with, internally within CML and externally with the various clients I have worked closely with over my career. I take great pleasure in creating working relationships, seeing the people I interact with develop and grow, and seeing the contributions they all make which ensure together we maintain a safe reliable railway.

I’m really proud to have been part of CML’s development and growth over the last 13 years and along with the Senior Leadership Team look forward to continuing to contribute to the legacy we are together creating, instilling our values and reinforcing the collaborative culture we at CML are known for.

Personally, I have style, I have grace and I give good face. Love music, love food, love wine and enjoy life – but importantly, work hard also.

What the others say:

Ruthlessly efficient and a very capable leader, passionate about people and driving collaborative behaviours. You won’t miss him at events – he’ll be the one in the velvet suit!

Emma Hawker

Company Secretary

What she says:

I joined a team of 3 at Construction Marine Limited in 1994, providing the administration and finance support for the whole business. Since then, as CML has changed and evolved, so has my role; incorporating compliance, bid management and most recently, Facilities Management.

The constant development of the Company has allowed me to use not just my Law degree and Accountancy training, but to focus on what interests and challenges me – implementing systems and processes to streamline and improve delivery.

What the others say:

Our legal eagle with a finger in many pies and a perfectionist, with a keen eye for detail. Constantly interfering… (although we’re quietly very glad she does so, as Emma is very good at getting stuff done right!)

Lee Sanderson

Project Director

What he says:

My CML career started in February 2012 as a Works Delivery Manager with a small team of just five people, responsible for delivering a large volume of smaller reactive schemes. It wasn’t long after I had joined CML that I recognised CML’s reputation as a safe, caring and considerate company along with a can do approach, which would see the company enjoy further success and growth. The number of projects received from our clients started to increase, as did the need for people. Ever since, the company has gone from strength to strength, made possible by the passion, support and encouragement of our people, and lead from the very top of the CML family.

The support and belief I’ve received from CML has seen myself develop from someone, who although was missing a university degree, I did have a degree in common sense (although some would disagree) along with the tenacity to achieve. I’ve even managed to add some of those missing but important academic achievements to my C.V. through the support of CML. I’m extremely proud of being able to lead the teams who are responsible for the safe delivery of 1000’s of buildings and civils schemes every year. This is made possible by the fantastic people which I have the pleasure of working alongside on a day-to-day basis, many of whom have also shared this journey with me.

Outside of the day job, I enjoy country pursuits with a keen interest in conservation. Getting out and enjoying the great outdoors with my wife, two children and dogs. I just wish I was half as successful at clay pigeon shooting as I have been with CML!

What the others say:

Happy, helpful, determined and constantly driven to find improvements. Lee has a wealth of industry knowledge, a keen eye for innovation in the infrastructure sector and is a very capable leader; but beware if in a hurry as Lee likes to talk…

Lee Harrison

Project Director

What he says:

I started my career in Civil Engineering as an apprentice in 1997 studying day release at the Leeds College of Building, moving on to Leeds Metropolitan University. After completing my vocational qualifications, I worked on a large variety of civil engineering schemes learning the trade and gaining invaluable experience throughout the course of my career giving me the opportunity to move through the ranks from Site Engineer all the way to my current position of Project Director. This journey from Apprentice to Director has helped me realise the importance of investing time in mentoring junior colleagues, and I’m very grateful to all the staff I have worked with over the past 25+ years who have shared their knowledge & experience to help support my own career development.

My time at CML started back in 2010 as Site Engineer progressing to Project Manager, Contracts Manager and then into my current role as Project Director since January 2021, overseeing the delivery of a portfolio of larger civils, structures and multi-disciplinary projects.  Throughout this time I have seen many members of the team progress alongside myself and feel very proud of what we have all achieved over the years.

Outside of my life at CML I have two teenage children, who as much as I would like to say enjoy spending time with their father, tend to prefer play stations & mobile phones these days! Which at least gives me the opportunity to watch sport/music gigs and plan the next vacation to warmer climates.

What the others say:

Lee is a very organised individual. He’s 100% motivated with an infectious level of enthusiasm! A time served site engineer and manager, and very capable operational leader. Best teeth in CML…

Gavin Smith

Commercial Director

What he says:

With over 30 years’ experience now gained on a variety of schemes, starting in Civils on the M25 with all of the joys of living on the site caravan park! Then moving into the Building sector for 15 years I worked on anything from a 320,000 square foot factory to a library. Rather disappointingly, one of the old student accommodation blocks I helped deliver is now being demolished! But at least my last full-time site based role was on the largest bridge on the Western Route since the days of Brunel, designed with a 125 year lifespan!

I’m passionate about controlling costs, developing people and a principle that has served me well; “stick to the agreed plan on site.” Other passions outside work are my family, Leeds United and of course my 3 dogs.

What the others say:

Gavin has a tremendous amount of contracting experience, having worked in a variety of roles at all levels on multi-disciplinary projects of all sizes.  Professional, leads by example with a good work ethic and a positive attitude.  But nothing excites him more than a well-crafted CVR spreadsheet!

Richard Long

HSE Director

What he says:

I started my career with CML in 2004 as a Project Manager and have over 27 years’ experience working in the rail industry including safety critical roles and prior to this in the utilities sector working for one of the UK’s largest forestry companies on contracts with Norweb, National Grid and Railtrack.

I was first introduced to CML when contracted to clear a number of their sites, shortly followed by an interview in a cigarette smoke filled canteen at CML’s old head office (things were different in them days!) with Geoff and Martin where I was offered a Project Manager role. I must have done something right as they were a hard task master to please!

Moving from forestry to civil engineering was quite a leap, but essentially it was still all about managing people working in a high-risk environment where good planning and a good team is the key to success.

In 2010 after several years with CML working on a multitude of buildings to civils projects, I then moved to take on the role of Health & Safety Manager. This was a challenge trying to educate/coach people in what they think is safe and what actually is safe. It never fails to surprise me what people do with the best intentions of safety.

I was appointed HSE Director in 2022, tasked with leading the development of the health, safety and wellbeing culture within CML, and i’m passionate about driving the right behaviours that will make sure our people go home safe every day.

What the others say:

Disciplined and practical, passionate about driving a positive safety culture in the industry. And when he’s not busy talking health, safety and wellbeing with our teams, you’ll find him trying to keep up with his dog, scaling Yorkshire’s biggest hills!