Meet Barry Fabian: 72-year-old crane lift supervisor helping to build the new Velindre Cancer Centre

One of the crane lift supervisors working on the new Velindre Cancer Centre project is 72-year-old Barry Fabian. 
Barry works for sub-contractor MPS Crane Operators and reaches the ripe old age of 73 in January, but still loves coming to work each day on site and helping to build this state of the art health facility. 

We caught up with Barry and asked him what keeps him working in all weathers on a building site, when most people his age are long retired. 
“I just enjoy working. Of course, the money comes in handy too and one of my daughters is heading to Melbourne to live next year and so I’m saving up to give her a good start over there, but also, I enjoy it. 

“I’m not much of a drinker, but I do go out for the company here and there, but not in pubs as such, so it’s great to come to work and get to spend the days with and chat with a good bunch of people.”

Barry has been working on building sites up and down the country for around 55 years and says he loves the job: “It keeps me fit and healthy, but obviously sometimes it’s not as good when you have to get up in the morning in the really cold weather or pouring rain, but all in all I enjoy it.”
Most of MPS’s team on site here at the new Velindre Cancer Centre are in their 20s to 50s, but Barry says that adds to the attraction of staying in work in his mid-seventies.

“They are a good bunch and we have a wide spectrum of experience here and so some do look up to me I suppose and ask about my experience and knowledge in the industry. “It’s nice to see them listening, learning and progressing and I enjoy helping them with that.”

Barry and MPS will be on site for the duration of the project while the crane works are finished and we at Sacyr UK wish him, and the MPS team, all the best on their next project and hope to see Barry continuing to work and sharing his expertise for many years to come.