Stockton-based Steel River Consultants in ambitious expansion plans

Surging confidence in the strength of the UK’s economic recovery has led to the firm's ambitious expansion plans

Surging confidence in the strength of the UK’s economic recovery has led to a Teesside consultancy’s ambitious expansion plans.

Stockton-based Steel River Consultants (SRC) is opening a satellite office in the Midlands to help manage a growing list of blue chip clients.

It’s the first of a series of expansions at “strategic locations within the UK” over the next three years, bosses say.

The consultancy, based at Preston Farm Industrial Estate, already provides health and safety management services and construction and design management (CDM) co-ordination to some of the biggest companies in the world.

Managing director Graham Tyerman said: “The country is out of recession and the economy is growing strongly.

“Confidence is returning and we need to be ready to meet future growth opportunities. To do that, we need to grow our expertise.”

The new office in Shardlow will be run by Chris Lawson, who has more than three decades of experience in the design management and construction industry.

Chris, 54, started his career as an engineer working in Middlesbrough, not far from SRC’s Teesside headquarters, before moving into architecture.

Among other roles, he has worked as an associate director working in a variety of sectors including the automotive, commercial and renewable industries.

Chris has also published a number of papers on health and safety culture in the offshore industry.

He said: “I couldn’t be joining SRC at a better time. It’s great to be part of such a talented and ambitious team.”

Among the projects he will be working on for SRC are a new quayside development near Aberdeen and a UK based offshore wind farm. He will also be assisting with SRC’s renewables portfolio.

The new satellite operation will service clients in the Midlands and the South.

In the past three years, the company has grown from one to a team of ten and, despite the challenges posed by the recession, it has built an international reputation for excellence within the renewables sector.

Graham added: “Further expansion on Teesside was limited by resources and the need to attract people with specialist skills. Opening a second office in a different part of the country gives us added flexibility to deliver for clients beyond Teesside. We will be looking for further expansion opportunities at strategic locations within the UK.”

The expansion will also enable SRC to extend its service portfolio beyond renewables to include other sectors including the automotive industry, commercial property, ports and harbours and housing.

Chris’ expertise will also enhance SRC’s training and hazard analysis programmes and could be used to help shape new Health and Safety Executive frameworks.