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Interview
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Yosof Ewing , construction entrepreneur and business rights campaigner , is set on inspiring change
Known as the Contract Coach ®, Yosof Ewing is an entrepreneur on a mission to make the industry fairer for subcontractors , or as he prefers to call them specialist contractors . He wants the law to change to better protect construction subcontractors from Tier 1 contractors , who are often guilty of late payments and using bullying tactics to silence those trying to fight back . He is an adjudication party representative , quantity surveyor , project manager and mediator , providing guidance on construction contract terms and adjudication services for those involved in disputes over non-payment from Tier 1 and other large main contractors .
“ I ’ ve been in the industry for 34 years , so pretty much straight out of school ,” he begins . “ I grew up in foster care and my foster dad worked in construction and civil engineering . He was a huge influence in my life . I used to go to sites with him when I was a youngster and was always fascinated by construction . Following a recession , with little choice , my father went from being a site foreman to a managing director overnight . He had limited experience of running a business and believed a gentleman ’ s agreement was a given , relying heavily on trust and goodwill , which often wasn ’ t the case . Main contractors didn ’ t pay and as a result , the business was shut down .
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