Firms like Will Rudd Davidson need market certainty from government - MJ O’Shaughnessy

Last Christmas, when we went into the final pandemic lockdown, feels like a very distant memory. As we wondered then what the new year might bring, many conversations in the engineering sector were around what the so-called ‘new norm’ would look like.

Although large parts of the pandemic have now passed us by, it still feels like the world, and especially the economy, are still in flux.

There have undoubtedly been economic challenges this year, with predictions that the worst is still to come. Thankfully, the diversity of our operations has provided us with opportunities to find a variety of new projects. The energy, conservation and heritage sectors along with healthcare, purpose-built student accommodation and build-to-rent have proved to be rich seams for us. This accompanies our ability to provide added value by utilising our façade engineering and contractor design specialisms (Light steel frame, Cross-laminated timber, Precast frames to name a few) in all our projects which provides huge benefits in terms of value engineering and early cost certainty on projects.

At Will Rudd Davidson, we have a well-established tradition of championing Scotland’s built heritage with vast experience across our team of delivering engineering solutions to problems associated with old buildings - ensuring they can, once again, be used for common purpose.

MJ O’Shaughnessy is Managing Director for Glasgow and Ireland at engineering consultancy Will Rudd Davidson.

I was incredibly proud of our team who completed core civil and structural services to deliver Virgin Hotel’s flagship luxury hotel in Scotland’s capital, the company’s first venture outside of the United States. It is situated in the now transformed 19th-century India Building on Victoria Street in Edinburgh's Old Town, an area granted UNESCO World Heritage status. The new-build elements consist of the nine-storey hotel, a four-storey pavilion and a two-storey basement within close proximity to several existing buildings.

Of course, we are equally proud of our new projects. Topgolf, a high-tech golfing experience, opens its first Scottish complex in Glasgow this month after we completed core civil and structural services along with façade engineering specialisms. Given the site’s complexities, it was important we worked closely with the design team and contractors to deliver what was required, especially in relation to the complex drainage network. For us, it was another opportunity to showcase the broad range of skills we offer.

A key component of our diversification has been our expansion into Ireland. In addition to the many landmark projects we will be announcing next year, there has been a plethora of affordable housing there because of the need and desire for public sector accommodation. Government expenditure in this area remains strong and we now have numerous affordable housing scheme projects in Ireland, amongst others.

Similarly, we refuse to restrict ourselves to the west of Scotland. Indeed, we have 10 major mixed use projects in London, all served from our Glasgow office. We have a project in most of the UK’s main cities and we are determined to maintain this flexibility into the new year. I have no doubt that if it had not been for the diversity of our projects in terms of specialisms and geographical spread, our business would not be heading into 2023 with as much confidence.

The Commons Club at the Virgin Hotel

Something has to change next year in terms of government certainty. Decisions from Westminster this year have resulted in growing inflation and prolonged economic uncertainty. For the sake of everyone working in our industry, that cannot continue.

I have no doubt that engineering firms such as Will Rudd and others working in the built environment will continue to meet economic challenges head on, but we need government to provide market certainty and give our industries a much needed boost.

MJ O’Shaughnessy is Managing Director for Glasgow and Ireland at engineering consultancy Will Rudd Davidson.