Andrew Dawson - Managing Director, Castle Building Services
Tell us about Castle Building Services and the areas you operate in.
Castle Building Services is one of the UK’s leading providers of building services. We employ in excess of over 130 staff and operatives from our headquarters in Tyne & Wear and regional offices in Teesside, Glasgow and Edinburgh.
We provide design, supply, installation, commissioning, construction services and building works including specialist fit out, mechanical, electrical, public health and renewable technology services.
In a strategic move, we have diversified into the role of principal and specialist fit out contractor, working directly for private and public sector organisations. An example being our appointment as principal contractor for the state-of-the-art Pragmatic Park electronics facility in Durham, which is expected to create 500 skilled jobs and produce a product that is unique across the complex world of semi-conductor technologies.
Can you tell us about your role?
I am managing director with overall responsibility for overseeing all operational, health and safety, commercial and financial aspects of the business, as well as, managing clients and stakeholder relationships.
How has your career progressed at the company?
I joined Castle Building Services 13 years ago as a mechanical estimator and the senior team at the time identified a strong career progression route for me within the company. By building on my knowledge and skills, I had the drive to move through the ranks to senior estimator, commercial director and to my current position as managing director.
At Castle Building Services, we offer strong career routes and also encourage employees to pursue individual pursuits and champion industry causes. An example being our support for the North East construction sector’s OneVoice strategy. It aims to build a successful, sustainable and inclusive construction industry, equipped with the people and technology to deliver a carbon neutral-built environment by 2050.
What is your proudest business achievement?
Steering the business through difficult periods such as Covid and Brexit. This was a challenging time.
I am also very proud of the team that we have at Castle. We have developed a strong senior management team and mentoring system which will help to future proof the business.
Another proud moment was helping to establish Castle Green Services, an innovative subsidiary and natural extension of Castle Building Services. Together it forms one of the UK’s leading, privately owned, specialist providers of integrated Green Building solutions.
How has the industry changed since you began your career?
In many ways. There is a better working environment which is more diverse and also inclusive. Health and safety and the wellbeing of employees is also at the forefront of activity. It also goes without saying that digital technologies have vastly improved as has the industry’s commitment to the environment.
What do you think are the opportunities going forward?
At Castle Building Services, we are excited about the opportunities presenting themselves in principal contractor roles and have invested in the appropriate staff, training and software, to enable us to operate across multi discipline projects. We have the expertise to take on the role of principal contractor on wider carbon reduction schemes.
