Newcastle-based, OPUS Major Projects (MP), has safeguarded 50 jobs and completed its first significant project.
OPUS MP was formed in 2023 by Gavin Richardson, managing director of OPUS Building Services, a Boldon-based mechanical and electrical contracting specialist, after he spotted the opportunity to strengthen OPUS Building Services with local resources, when Integral UK announced it was to cease tendering for main contractors within the North East and nationally.
OPUS Building Services approached those facing redundancy, to join OPUS MP. This has resulted in a significant increase in capacity and has secured 50 jobs, including six apprentices. The business has already completed projects for key clients and is expecting a turnover in excess of £10m in its first year, with a strong order book and healthy pipeline of opportunities.
The 50-strong team is led by directors Daniel Lowes, John Christie and Phil Thompson along with the company’s founder and fellow director, Gavin Richardson.
Within weeks of its formation, OPUS MP was awarded a £1.7 million contract to complete works on EQ5, a former Barclays wealth management building, which is situated on Newcastle Quays and boasts 35,000 sq ft of office space and related facilities, laid out over a total of five floors.
OPUS MP was brought in to design and deliver the mechanical and electrical services, from RIBA stage 0, to a full refurbishment of the building, with a client aspiration of EPC A & BREEAM excellent. The concept was to decarbonise and fully redesign the building to the highest quality, placing an emphasis on environmental, social and governance targets. The installation comprised of the full mechanical and electrical services CAT A fit out, including IPS systems delivered and installed by its sister company, Hebburn-based, Laminform, due to the quick turnaround of the project.
Several projects are now in progress, including the refurbishment of Ward 18 at North Tyneside General Hospital on behalf of IHP (Integrated Health Partnership). This project showcases the increased capacity of the Group drawing on the healthcare expertise of Opus Building Services and Opus MP team tier 1 main contractor experience to support the project and the client’s wider strategy.
Gavin Richardson, said: “OPUS MP has hit the ground running and we are proud to have safeguarded the jobs of 50 highly skilled people working within the region. This not only secures the future for these employees and their families, it also means that, from day one, OPUS MP has had a fully cohesive team with a professional and strong work culture.”
Director, Daniel Lowes, said: “We are a team of directors, each offering specific industry insight and knowledge of major projects. We possess the excitement and drive of a new business, whilst bringing with us the experience, maturity and capacity of one that has been around for many years.
“The faith shown from our loyal client base has enabled us to quickly develop the business and showcase our technical capability and craftsmanship. The progress to date is just the start of what is set to be a very successful future for OPUS MP.”