NICEIC AT 60 // CONTRACTOR PROFILES
Sharing in our success NICEIC has stood the test of time over the past six decades, and many of our earliest contractors have also thrived. Here, Nick Martindale meets some of the early registrants to see how their businesses have fared over the past 60 years Steve Burley Director of Derry Building Services, Newark NICEIC turns 60 this year. When was your business set up, and when did it register with NICEIC? It was originally set up as R G McConnell Electrical and registered with NICEIC on 1 January 1957, with enrolment number 288. It was bought by Derry Mechanical in 1989. Who was involved with the business back then? How has that changed over time? The original focus was local work around Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire, with the exception of a national Currys retail outlet contract. We undertook domestic and retail work, as well as working in local authority housing and schools. Back then we turned over around £200,000 and had around 15 staff. Today we offer a national coverage in all sectors, including education, leisure and the commercial sector, as well domestic, retail and local authority work. We turn over around £50 million and have in the region of 220 staff.
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What are some of the biggest changes you have seen within the industry over the past 60 years? Plenty! Computerisation both in the office and on site, accurate drawings, the change from imperial to metric, the rise of health and safety, and electronic payments, as well as shorter working hours and improved working conditions. What was better back then, if anything? Beer was two shillings a pint, but even with the application of rose-tinted spectacles I can’t think of anything that was better. How has the role of an apprentice changed in that time? The theory is much more detailed now. Apprentices study how things work and integrate with other services rather than just the practical side of installing things. Apprentices used to be seen as the site dogsbody, but now they are a respected member of the team. What tools have made a big difference in that time? Access equipment, power tools, PPE, accurate drawings.
Is there anyone around today who would have memories of those early days? Our longest-serving member of staff is Paul Nicholson, who started as an apprentice in 1971 at 15 years old and is now contracts manager and part of the senior management team.
How has NICEIC accreditation helped the business? It provides credibility for our company, and helps us get onto government and local authority tender lists. It also provides support through auditing sites and assessing the competency of work standards and personnel.
What kind of work did the business undertake back then, and how has that changed? In the beginning it was solely electrical work, but now it includes both mechanical and electrical.
What are your plans for the future of the business? We opened another office in Birmingham in 2014, which registered with NICEIC last year. We plan to continue our expansion, increasing our capacity to cope with more projects.
Summer 2016 Connections
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