The secret of a successful partnership

Article posted on: 13 March 2023

Clancy Consulting and Ashleigh (Scotland) enjoy a collaborative working relationship that stems back over 20 years. Delivering a wide range of successful and award-winning residential schemes, from large affordable housing, sheltered accommodation and private flatted developments, to schools and sports facilities, both businesses share a similar culture, and operate an open and honest approach that is clearly paying dividends.

Speaking with Neil Orrock, Director at Clancy, and Commercial Director at Ashleigh, Euan Clark, we delve a little deeper to find out what makes this such a successful partnership and how it has evolved over the years.

About the partnership

Ashleigh is one of the leading contractors delivering projects in Scotland, generally working across South West and Central Scotland. As a main contractor, recent workload has primarily comprised affordable housing developments and construction. The business is on a number of the construction frameworks in the west of Scotland such as HUB South West, used by many of the local authorities and public bodies in the region. 

Clancy is a UK-wide engineering consultancy business, with two Scottish offices skilled in unlocking the most effective engineering solutions.

The close relationship began back with Hodgins Smith Partnership, the practice subsequently being acquired by Clancy Consulting in 2010.  Euan comments “And we have never looked back!”

Neil explains, “There’s certainly a mutual trust between both parties that has evolved over the years and the continuity and expertise of staff at both organisations is valued.” 

Bringing much-needed housing to the communities of Scotland, delivered in a sustainable manner, has been a key driver for a large amount of Clancy and Ashleigh’s work together. There continues to be a steady stream of work from the Scottish Government, plus a commitment to deliver this.

Unlocking development potential

Flatt Road in Largs is certainly a flagship scheme for both Clancy and Ashleigh. The scheme, for North Ayrshire Council, was a £20 million development consisting of 122 new energy efficient homes including affordable housing, sheltered accommodation and a community hub, located on a huge site previously occupied by a school. 

Reflecting back on the scheme Neil recalls, “From a civil engineering perspective this was a particularly difficult site, with a slope down towards the coast with a difference of some 20 metres. There was a significant amount of engineering involved and lots of civil engineering advice on, what turned out to be, a heavily contaminated site.” 

Euan adds, “The Clancy guys were able to find an efficient engineering solution that was viable and affordable and unlocked the site. It was incredibly challenging from an engineering perspective.”

North Ayrshire Council even noted it as one of its “most ambitious and exciting” developments to date.

Another major scheme for both parties was Ashleigh’s own development, Waggon Road in Ayr. This £10 million project involved the delivery of 77 flats, again on a challenging site.

Euan comments, “Finding an agreeable drainage strategy is what was required to enable us to develop this site. Other parties had looked at it and were unable to deliver. Again, the Clancy team provided an achievable solution that helped to unlock the site.”

A project for the partnership that’s a little different from the norm is the new North Stand at Somerset Park Stadium for Ayr United. Ashleigh’s Managing Director, David Smith, is chairman of the football club. Clancy being chosen as the structural engineer is a testament to the successful relationship between the two companies.

Featuring a 748-seater stand with a cantilevered steel roof and a hospitality suite integrated within the structure, this exciting and ambitious project is currently at the detailed design stage. Neil comments, “This is a fantastic scheme for Clancy to be involved, benefitting the local community. And it helps that our team are all Ayr United supporters!”

What makes the partnership work?

Both parties pride themselves in providing a quality service and have an open ‘what you see is what you get’ approach. 

The knowledge, expertise, professionalism and commitment from both teams is what makes it a success. Ultimately, we all have the same goal and same ethos which is why we work so well.
— Euan Clark, Commercial Director, Ashleigh (Scotland)

Euan comments, “Working with Clancy, we can do what other developers are perhaps unable to do. We’re often struggling to get a site moving due to costs or challenges with a site, such as its ground conditions. We find Clancy can unlock solutions where others can’t. The service from Clancy helps to drive projects forward with innovation and thinking outside the box.”

It’s clear as well that ambitions for both practices lie at improving local communities and making a real difference. Ashleigh boasts an enviable track record with community and social commitment. They are engaged in a wide variety of school projects, enjoy partnerships and initiatives with local colleges and sports associations, and work with the communities that surround the projects being delivered. 

Euan is clearly proud of Ashleigh’s social value initiatives. Of particular note is the Belmont Academy Construction Programme. Euan explains, “We get 16 kids involved in a scheme, from start to end.  The students get to experience all aspects of hands-on trades and professional roles, including architecture, engineering, planning, estimating and quantity surveying. We often find at the end of the experience that students apply to join us as apprentices. It’s very rewarding for all parties involved.”

So, what’s next for the partnership? 

Providing an overview of how he sees the successful collaboration continue to develop, Neil comments, “We intend to continue doing what we are doing, assisting and supporting Ashleigh wherever we can. As we look ahead at succession planning, we’ll be introducing wider team members as I firmly believe that maintaining the cultural synergy is a must.”

As for growing sectors that may develop over the next three years, both Neil and Euan agree that given the current uncertain economic climate, it’s difficult to predict at the moment. Looking ahead, Euan says, “The business has a significant pipeline of work and much of this remains to be affordable housing, particularly in the public sector.”

“Overall, we plan to maintain the fair and open and honest approach that we pride ourselves on, and this will hopefully continue to make us the preferred choice of contractor for our existing and new client base.”

Euan adds, “Clancy is our ‘go-to’ design consultant. We recognise their expertise and their attention to detail is second to none. There is plenty more work to come and more of the same, so watch this space.”

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