A national player, keeping it local - directors Neil Orrock and Neil Robson speak to Business Scotland
Article posted on: 10 January 2021
At the helm of Clancy Consulting’s Scottish offices, directors Neil Orrock and Neil Robson reflect upon the fine balance of ‘keeping it local’ whilst operating within a nationwide multi-disciplinary engineering practice leading some of the UK’s most specialist projects.
Who could have predicted the year to date? With phenomenal change taking place the team at Clancy has been riding the wave on the back of a rather circumspect construction industry, whilst also future-proofing business strategy in anticipation of market uncertainly during the coming months ahead. But at a time when others in the built environment sector are consolidating, what has been the secret to maintaining a strong pipeline of projects, a growing workforce and preserving morale over the last nine months?
In the last 12 months Clancy’s Glasgow and Prestwick offices have been bolstered by strong local leadership whilst maintaining a keen focus on its core services; this, sat within the context of a wider support network of eight additional offices throughout England. Across the business a full spectrum of professional services are offered at Clancy, including Civil & Structural Engineering, Mechanical & Electrical Building Services, Geo-Environmental Appraisals, Highways and many associated disciplines, with approaching 200 skilled providers.
Although Clancy is nearing its 50-year celebrations, the Scottish offices were acquired from Hodgins Smith Partnership back in 2010; a strategic decision based on the complement of dedicated personnel and key client relationships, which are still maintained to this very day.
Neil Orrock, Director based in Prestwick commented, “We’ve a great number of clients who we’ve known for years; relationships which have been built upon a culture of integrity, respect and trust. We pride ourselves on being engineers without egos! You could say that this is very much reflected in the way we work and showcased in our long-term framework appointments. Bringing technical engineering solutions to the table, but in a way that sits collaboratively and aligned with the wider project team for the most successful project outcome.”
The business certainly isn’t one for standing still. Relocation to a new Glasgow office in February this year now offers larger premises on St Vincent Street for an expanding team. Notwithstanding home-working due to Covid-safe protocols, the new office space in the city centre has already provided a real statement of commitment which continues the success story of sustainable growth.
Strengthening the team has also resulted in strategic appointments with Neil Robson’s promotion to Director of MEP in April 2019 and Bobby Bisset taking the role of Divisional Director for the Civil & Structural team in Glasgow. More recently Gary Stephen has been welcomed onboard as Civil & Structural Associate, after spending a good number of years at Arup.
With flagship schemes such as 6 Atlantic Quay, Helensburgh Waterfront leisure complex, KPMG’s Edinburgh HQ and Wyndford Energy Centre in the portfolio, plus much in-demand housing developments from many sources, including South Ayrshire Council, North Ayrshire Council and Cunninghame Housing Association, the Scottish offices work on a mix of private and public sector schemes which, in the current climate, has assisted with workload remaining constant.
Neil Robson, Director based in Glasgow stated, “The fantastic response to the current crisis from the whole of Team Clancy across the UK has been astounding. We very much recognise that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. In fact, the only consistent thing in the business is our ethos and cultural DNA, of which we are incredibly proud. Our clients know we’ll collectively work together to develop design solutions; for us it’s all about teamworking and servicing our local networks.”
Neil continues, “With one eye on current projects, we also keep the other eye firmly fixed on the future in terms of latest industry thinking. Trialing ground-breaking mixed reality holographic technology in the construction process, embodied carbon analysis on large regeneration developments, and supporting the Government’s Clean Growth Strategy with the UK’s largest carbon capture and utilisation plant – these are all ground-breaking elements within our existing schemes across the business. We’re fortunate to be able to draw on collective skill-sets across all offices which enables real specialist knowledge and bespoke technical solutions being brought to our clients.”
So, what’s next for Clancy?
What lies ahead, particularly given widespread changes over the last nine months (and the coming months), will inevitably be accelerated change. Neil Orrock concludes: “Our commitment to continued growth, providing the platform for individuals to flourish and maintaining a local approach within the backdrop of the national presence remains our objective. Armed with the total commitment of our brilliant team and support of our longstanding industry colleagues and supportive client base, we are perfectly poised to continue the journey. We will however pause briefly to raise a glass or two to celebrate our 50th anniversary in 2022. Hopefully, you can join us with that.”
We value our working relationships more than anything so please get in touch for further information about the services offered by Clancy.
To read the full article in Business Scotland Magazine on page 13 click here.
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