Gareth Holgate attended Rydal Penrhos College in North Wales before graduating from the University of Cardiff with a Bachelor of Architecture. He used to play for the Philippine Volcanoes, the country’s rugby team. His outstanding performance in the Asian 5 Nations rugby tournament qualified him for the World Cup in Moscow. He returned to the Philippines and began working for SDW Construction, a start-up construction company eventually becoming its project manager.
Initially, Gareth tried to balance his work and athletic life. But as the firm grew, he devoted more time to expanding this newly founded company. Gareth, who has a background in architecture, shifted the company’s core business as a General Contractor and introduced additional design services to its capabilities.
Gareth’s five guiding principles are our team, environment, planning, partners, and communication. He says, “The culture within that team is the environment, and the team is the glue that holds the business together. Any successful project requires timely planning, and partners make this feasible. Effective communication is essential at all levels and with all partners, delivering positive or negative news. As the project progresses, this fundamental aspect of the business is overlooked or neglected.”
As CEO of SDW Realty & Development, Inc., Gareth Holgate aspires to make his organization the partner of choice for fit-out construction projects in the Philippines. He continues to work on developing solutions, whether through implementing new automated systems to modernize and streamline internal procedures and operations or through the practical application of cutting-edge construction technology.