Over the course of the last couple of months, I’ve had the privilege of participating in the Build East Renfrewshire programme, hosted by Business Gateway East Renfrewshire. Designed to strengthen business capabilities, expand industry knowledge, and foster collaboration, the programme has been an eye-opening journey into the construction sector in East Renfrewshire, Scotland and beyond.
Here are some key takeaways from the first half of the programme:
Week 1: Laying the Foundation
The programme kicked off with an engaging session featuring speakers from Tilbury Douglas, Supplier Development Programme Scotland, hub West Scotland, and Business Gateway East Renfrewshire.
I left feeling grateful for the opportunity to connect with knowledgeable professionals and could see the value in listening to businesses of all shapes and sizes. It was exciting to learn more about the supply chain, procurement, and how small businesses like mine can position themselves for success.
Week 2: Exploring Retrofit and Net Zero Goals
Our visit to A.C. Whyte & Co. Ltd was packed with insights. Jennifer Phin’s deep dive into the retrofit market was particularly inspiring, as was her advice to focus on small, consistent improvements, a message reinforced by me buying the book Atomic Habits, which I’ve since started reading.
Sandy Rose continued the conversation on public sector procurement, highlighting the intricacies of tendering in the UK, while Fionnghal Caldwell from Morrison Construction offered a compelling look at carbon reduction and efficiency.
This session challenged my initial cynicism about the industry’s commitment to Net Zero. With significant investments being made and meaningful action taking place, it’s clear the industry is moving in this direction.
Week 3: Insights from Mackenzie Construction
At Mackenzie Construction, we explored the challenges and opportunities facing the construction industry today.
Andy Dalrymple and Mark Brown shared insights into their work, highlighting the growing need to address the ageing workforce and attract fresh talent to sustain the industry.
Meanwhile, Donna Hepburn’s talk resonated deeply with me, especially her advice to “Start with the end in mind.” Her understanding of the challenges small businesses face led me to arrange a follow-up meeting with her in January.
Finally, Debbie Hill from East Renfrewshire Council provided a clear and professional overview of procurement processes. Her explanation demystified tendering, making it feel far more accessible than I’d previously thought.
Week 4: Industry Heavyweights and Big Lessons
The final session of the year, held at Barrhead Housing Association, featured some of the biggest names in Scottish construction.
Kier Construction gave a fantastic presentation, with Laura Brown and Paul McAdam shedding light on the complexities of managing long-term projects in remote locations. Learning that Kier secured £1.4 billion in government contracts last year was new to me and highlighted their scale and influence.
CCG (Scotland) Ltd, represented by Chris Murray, Fraser Hatton, and Scott McLachlan, showcased their inspiring work in retrofit projects and renewable energy. I’m eager to visit their prefab kit manufacturing site in the future!
Stewart Macgregor introduced the idea of cooperative partnerships for securing larger projects, something I hadn’t considered before.
Sandy Rose rounded out the session with advice on tendering, emphasising the importance of laying a strong groundwork for smoother future processes.
Looking Ahead
As we take a break before the programme resumes in January, I’m thrilled with what I’ve learned so far. Not only have I gained a deeper understanding of the construction sector, but I’ve also expanded my network and perspective on business development.
A massive thank you to Scott Arnot, Colin McNally, Angeline Robertson, and all the speakers and participants who’ve made this experience so far. I’m excited to see what the next phase of the programme will bring!