From his first YTS scheme at just 17 years old to operating some of the most advanced mobile tower cranes in the country, Tommy Lismore has seen it all.
Now 57, he’s been at the controls for more than 40 years - with the last 22 spent at John Sutch Cranes.
“I first joined John in 2003. Before that I was working out of town, scaffolding and other construction jobs. But once I got into the cab, I stuck with it. And I’ve been on the Spierings tower cranes ever since.”
Starting on smaller 30T cranes, he quickly moved onto the tower range, which has kept him busy for more than two decades. In that time, he’s worked on everything from giant warehouse roofs to intricate city centre jobs - including the recent Manchester Town Hall project involving delicate lifts in a tight urban space.
“With these cranes, it’s usually non-stop all day. You can be doing 100+ lifts in a shift — fast, efficient, and reliable. They’re perfect for sites that need constant movement.”
Life in the cab has its challenges, from early starts to city embargoes, but for Tommy the job is about more than steel and concrete:
“It’s been a living for me and my family. My kids have grown up while I’ve been here. I cycle to work most days from Waterloo. It’s 15, 20 minutes on the bike and then I crack on. It’s local, it’s family, it’s home.”
And in a sector where operators often move between companies, his loyalty stands out.
“Some lads come and go, some don’t take to these cranes. I just switched off to the noise and stuck with it. John was one of the first companies to take on Spierings, and I’ve been on them ever since," he said.
After 22 years, he’s still motivated by the same simple things: family, pride in his work, and the unique variety each day brings.
John Sutch Cranes: Built on people, powered by experience.
