Blog:
A Day in the Life: Tina Cooper

Tina joined Glider six and a half years ago, when the company was still small – in fact she was employee number 10! In that time, she’s worked on some fascinating projects and seen the team grow. Before joining Glider, she worked as a Project Support Manager leading a team of document controllers and also spent time at the Olympic Stadium in facilities management. That’s where her passion for information began. We sat down with Tina to discover why she loves handover information so much.

What is your role at Glider?

I’m a Senior Handover Documentation Manager, which means I’m responsible for managing handover projects from start to finish. I work closely with client teams and contractors to make sure everything is delivered to the highest standard.

My day consists of anything from chasing documentation and managing outstanding reviews, to advising clients on the best way to structure information. It’s all about figuring out the best way to deliver a project successfully.

Walk us through a typical day…

Every day is different. Some days are full of client and subcontractor engagement, building the picture of O&M manuals for handover. Other days, I’m chasing missing documentation, checking reviews or problem-solving to keep projects on track.

The delivery part of my role is the best part. I love seeing everything come together.

What’s the most challenging part?

Definitely the juggling act. I might plan my day one way, but I’m constantly reacting to new queries and issues that come in. Balancing multiple projects while supporting both clients and the Glider team can be a challenge. But it keeps things interesting!

How does your role contribute to successful handover and long-term asset management?

At Glider, we pride ourselves on delivering a premium service. It’s what I like to call the Rolls Royce of handover. Our passion shows in the detail.

For me, it’s about making sure the documentation reflects the same quality and effort that’s gone into building the project itself. A building might cost millions to deliver, but if the information handed over doesn’t meet the same standard, it’s a disservice to the work that’s been done.

That’s why I check, double check and make sure every document matches the schedule. It’s that attention to detail and drive for excellence that gets us repeat business and great feedback from clients.

What do you enjoy most about your job?

I love what I do. Starting with a blank canvas and building up the handover documentation into something structured, smart and ready for the client is so rewarding.

Our projects are complex so the sheer volume of information can be overwhelming at times but seeing it all come together to our high standard is worth it.

What’s something people might be surprised to learn about you?

I’m a bit of a Lego nerd – especially when it comes to Harry Potter! I only got into it a couple of years ago, but I’ve built Dobby, Hogwarts, the Great Hall, Gringotts Bank (my favourite) and most recently, Diagon Alley.

Here’s a picture of some of Tina’s Lego collection:

How do you see your role changing in the future?

I don’t think the core of delivery will change. There will always be people involved in gathering information from various sources.

What’s evolving is the move towards digital. There’s more focus on 3D models and clients defining their own information requirements. That means part of my role is advising clients on what information is actually useful and valuable for them to run their buildings effectively.

If you could change one thing about how the industry handles building information today, what would it be?

I’d like to see more value placed on handover information. Too often, O&Ms are an afterthought and rushed at the end of a project.

They should be considered right from the construction stage. O&M manuals and handover documents aren’t just admin as they’re fundamental to a building’s long-term success. If the information isn’t managed and structured properly, it can lead to significant issues later on.

What we do is very niche and many of us fall into it. I’d like to see it as a career in itself and for the industry to recognise its importance.

Tina’s story shows why our people make the difference at Glider. Her passion for detail, commitment to excellence and belief in the value of information reflect everything we stand for as a company.

If you’re interested in joining Tina and the team at Glider, check out our Careers page.