Despite the trials and tribulations of the past year, Focus are proud to announce unprecedented growth across all sectors within the company.

In the Spring of 2020 when lockdown rules were put in place, Focus were quick to take decisive action enabling us to arrive at the financial year-end in a strong position. We took the difficult decision to furlough part of our team and reduce salaries for a limited amount of time. We know that it has been a difficult year for our staff coping with these financial changes along with home-schooling, adapting to virtual client meetings and following new on-site protocols but we are so proud of them pulling through and for remaining loyal and committed to Focus and all that we strive for. This loyalty, along with low staff turnover has been fostered through regular CPD and training opportunities, autonomy, and varied, exciting projects – making our team leaders in their field. As a result of this supportive and exciting working environment, we are in the enviable position to announce 4 promotions:

Nathan Adams has been promoted from Consultant to Senior Sustainability Consultant. Nathan has been working within the Assess division since 2014 and Focus have supported him in recently completing a MSc in Forestry, addressing the application of forestry in the UK to assist the housing sector in achieving net-zero carbon status by 2050 which has further improved his carbon footprint skills and NZC strategies.

Brad Hart has been promoted to Consultant – starting as a trainee QS in 2015 and progressing to Assistant QS in 2018, Brad provides a varied support role within the Quantity Surveying Team. As well as spending time with his young family or enjoying country walks with his dog, Brad also enjoys playing football and supporting his local team Derby County. Brad was delighted with the promotion saying “I’m really pleased to have been promoted to a Consultant and feel proud that the hard work put into my studies and professional development has been recognised and rewarded”.

Florence Andrews has been promoted from Senior to Associate level. Florence has been a Senior Project Manager within the London team since June 2016. With a background in design and then working in the cultural, heritage and regeneration sectors, Florence has a proven track record of delivering capital projects on time and to budget. Florence loves getting to explore the streets of an ever-changing London by cycling to her meetings and site visits when she can.

Partner, Ellie Clarke was delighted at the news replying that “Since Florence joined us five years ago, she has really gone from strength to strength and I’m incredibly proud to see this recognised in her promotion to Associate.  This is due recognition of the fantastic care and attention she gives not only her projects and clients, but also her colleagues.  She is always one to step up and keen in offering help and support whenever asked for, and is an excellent mentor to our junior staff.  I’m looking forward to seeing her grow the project management team within the London office and continue the great success she’s had to date”.

Rebecca Price has been promoted from Graduate Project Manager to Consultant – a graduate of the University of Cambridge and the University of Leicester, Rebecca started at Focus in 2018 and has been involved in a range of projects at both a strategic and technical level. Rebecca loves to travel, having already visited six continents by the age of 18.

In addition to these promotions, we’ve also seen fantastic growth across a number of our teams, welcoming 8 new staff members over the past 6 months with more to follow in 2022.

With Net Zero 2050 targets and energy efficiency continuously making news headlines, demand for our services is on a rapid increase. Our Assess division welcomed three new sustainability graduates thus expanding our knowledge and capabilities within energy efficiency and net zero carbon strategies.

As well as two new apprentices, the London team have added a senior QS and a senior PM/QS to strengthen the team.  This is in addition to two graduate PM/QS’s in the Nottingham office.

Over in the Create division of the company, we have a new Economic Development Consultant and Senior Cultural Services Consultant swelling the ranks.  Their work includes options appraisals, feasibility studies, funding strategies, funding bids, needs analysis, research projects, audience development, consultation, business plans and project evaluation.

New Roles Announced

The beginning of 2021 saw Focus actively recruiting for many roles across the company and we always welcome interest from experienced professionals and graduates. Some of the current roles we are looking to fill include:

Building Surveyor

Based at our Nottingham Office to assist in the development and delivery of capital projects, the ideal candidate will have 1-3 years’ experience or more and either newly chartered or at APC level, with proven hands-on skills seeing projects through from inception to completion.  The ideal candidate will have the ambition to be part of a growing team and the ability to work on their own with some supervision.

Economic Development Consultant

We have recently embarked on a new chapter for the company, with a new brand and website for 2021. Due to growth in our economic development services, we are looking to recruit an Economic Development Consultant to join our busy CREATE team. Applications from established economic development professionals with the right experience will be considered. The role should help develop the skills of the successful candidate, broadening their understanding of economic development.