This year, we’re celebrating a huge milestone with Chris Janes, our longest-serving team members at Maylarch Environmental Ltd. Chris has been with us for over 25 years and has seen both his own career and the company evolve in remarkable ways. We sat down with him to hear more about his journey, challenges, and advice for anyone considering a career in demolition.

How long have you been working with Maylarch, and how has your role evolved since you started?

I first started working for Maylarch back in 1999 as a demolition operative—my first job was at Abingdon Barracks! Since then, I’ve worked my way up to Supervisor roles in both demolition and asbestos removal, gained all my plant and H&S certificates, and now I’m a Site Manager.

What’s the most challenging part of your job – and how do you deal with it?

The biggest challenges are the unforeseen issues that crop up from time to time. Sometimes they’re easy fixes, but other times they’re complex. I enjoy the problem-solving side of it—finding solutions and making sure the job keeps moving.

What’s your favourite type of project to work on and why

Mechanical demolition. I’ve always loved working around heavy machinery, and I also enjoy mentoring new and young operators who are just starting out in the industry. Helping them at the beginning of their journey is really rewarding.

Can you describe one of the most memorable or unusual demolition projects you’ve worked on?

Lucy Faithful House in Oxford stands out. It was a tight site—just 1.5m away from a live sheltered accommodation building. We had to demolish a five-story former homeless shelter right in the middle of the city centre. It was complex, but at the end, the residents invited me and the team for afternoon tea to thank us. That was the most rewarding part—knowing we carried out the works without impacting them and even supported them along the way.

What’s it like working as part of the team at Maylarch?

Since day one, Maylarch has had a family feel to it. That hasn’t changed in 25 years. Everyone who joins is welcomed the same way I was, and it builds strong teams that deliver real value and make a positive impact.

How does Maylarch support your growth and development as a professional?

Maylarch has always had my back. They’ve supported me in growing from a site operative to supervisor, and then into management. They’ve given me opportunities to gain my qualifications and keep pushing myself.

What do you enjoy most about being a Demolition Site Supervisor?

I enjoy leading a team on-site, delivering great results for both the client and Maylarch, and supporting the office team from site. I also enjoy the challenges that come with more complex projects—it keeps the job interesting. And I’ll admit, I still laugh when people ask if we’ll be using a wrecking ball!

Is there anything people often misunderstand about demolition work?

Yes—people think it’s just “knocking down buildings.” In reality, demolition includes strip-outs, temporary works, openings, remediation, and site clearance, to name just a few. It’s a diverse job, and you meet some great people along the way.

Where do you see yourself progressing within the company or industry?

Right now, I’m happy as a Site Manager. I think the organisation gets the best out of me here, and I enjoy being the link between the site, the client, and Contracts Managers. But who knows what’s around the corner?

Do you have any advice for someone considering a career in demolition?

Definitely. Do your research on potential employers—look at their accreditations, memberships, and past projects. Demolition is a varied industry with lots of opportunities to learn and progress. If you’re interested, it can be a fantastic career.

If you weren’t doing demolition, what job could you see yourself doing?

Probably something else in construction. Growing up, I spent school holidays with my dad, who was an excavator driver on building sites across the south of England. That’s where I caught the bug for working with heavy plant!

Chris’s 25+ years with Maylarch is a story of dedication, growth, and team spirit. We’re proud to celebrate his journey and the contribution he’s made to both the company and the industry.

Interested in joining our company? Take a look at Our Careers