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With a diverse portfolio of buildings and facilities that he needs to look after, Maintenance Officer in Jersey Property Holdings (JPH), Ben Makin, plays a key role in ‘Keeping the Island Running’.
Including schools, healthcare facilities, sport sites, and even public toilets, Ben’s work ensures Jersey’s infrastructure remains functional and safe for all Islanders.
Ben said: “This year alone, our team has raised nearly 13,000 orders to local contractors and managed over 3,000 helpdesk requests. Work orders can range from managing vandalism related repairs or fixing issues with the building’s structure, such as roof leaks and structural issues, to handling remedial tasks, or resolving plumbing and electrical problems.”
“Day to day, my role is primarily reactive repairs — dealing with anything from leaks and boiler issues to roof repairs and redecoration. The variety is what makes this job so rewarding, no day is the same.”
One of Ben’s standout projects this year has been the redevelopment of St Ouen’s Bay Lifeguard Station, which was severely impacted by Storm Ciaran. The facility is essential for the RNLI who guard St Ouen’s Bay throughout the eight-month season, making it crucial to provide them with a safe, secure, and fully functional space to ensure beach users are safe.
Ben explained: “As an interim solution, I arranged for power and water supplies to facilitate the temporary units for the RNLI. There were several challenges in ensuring the services were connected effectively to the welfare facility.
“The redevelopment project has all been agreed by Planning Services, and we have gone through the four-week tender process which has been awarded to Peter Green Builders, who have now started the work.”
Another highlight of Ben’s role is becoming one of two certified drone pilots in JPH.
“The drone has quickly proven its worth,” he said. “By saving us time and money so we can assess building conditions with high quality images and precision. We can use the drone to survey a roof so I can identify defects and see exactly where scaffolding is needed, for example.
“It’s great to see technology like this being embraced, simplifying our challenging day to day tasks and improving our approach to building maintenance.”
Ben’s passion for collaboration extends beyond his core responsibilities. His project earlier this year at Corbiere Toilets, working with Grainville School art students and local artist Ben Robertson, transformed a vandalism hotspot into a vibrant mural celebrating Corbiere’s heritage.
“I feel very passionate about it. This was a bold, creative risk that paid off by bringing the community together, working with Grainville School’s art students and talented artist, Ben Robertson, made the project truly inspiring.”
Reflecting on the challenges of his role, Ben admitted that managing expectations is tough. “Stakeholders often want everything done yesterday,” he noted. “But our team is dedicated to finding temporary solutions and adapting to meet demands. Storm Ciaran last November, for instance, tested us to the limit, but it also showcased the strength and resilience of our team.”
“This job keeps you on your toes, but that’s what l love about it. It’s all about keeping the Island running, one challenge at a time.”
When he’s not tackling the Island’s maintenance challenges, Ben enjoys DIY projects, motorbike rides, and helping friends. His work and hobbies reflects his commitment to problem solving, making him a key player in the team that ensures the Government’s vast property portfolio across the Island is kept running.
