You might think that there is not much to celebrate with the effects of Covid restrictions, alarming climate change predictions and now supply chain issues with fuel across the country. Well at Focus we are in high spirits as our business continues to grow from strength to strength and our team continue their work on community, heritage and energy-related projects that really give them a sense of achievement and well-being knowing that they are making a difference.

This past year has felt like a blur for many of us, but imagine how we feel realising that it has been 10 years since partner Ellie Clarke set up her team in London.  Beginning with a few key clients such as Imperial War Museum – HMS Belfast, House Mill Trust, and the National Army Museum, the London Focus team set about their goal of becoming market leaders in Project Management and Quantity Surveying, within the London and South East area. It did not take them long to grow and consolidate their client base, securing places on the V&A framework, the Natural History Museum framework, and the British Museum framework, as well as building on Focus’ excellent reputation in developing and delivering cultural and heritage projects from churches and cathedrals, to museums and theatres.  In the second half of our decade, we have seen diversification into schools and colleges, healthcare and housing.

From 2011 our turnover has multiplied seven-fold and added a new team member for every year.  Now in 2021 we have 11 staff members including Senior QS, Admin Support and 2 brand new apprentices that joined in September.

Ellie reminisces about some of the highs and lows of the past 10 years “Setting up above Holborn station, the dream had become a reality.  We were extremely fortunate to have a network of contacts from my days working in London out of the Nottingham office, that supported us from day one.  Over the years I am incredibly grateful for all of the wonderful staff that have joined us on the journey, the energy and camaraderie is one of the things I’m most proud of.  Yes, there are days when we want to throw our laptop out of the window, but we’re always there to pick one another up.  And then of course there are our clients.  To be trusted to develop and deliver some of the most prestigious projects in the country, and have clients regularly come back to work with us again and again, is an honour.  Thanks have to go out to all our teams, colleagues and collaborators over the years, we couldn’t have done it without them.”

When asked what she thought the next 10 years would bring Ellie said “What more could we wish for?  To continue doing just what we’ve been doing and go from strength to strength.  Having an industrial placement student last year and two apprentices this year, it’s fantastic to be in a position to support the next generation. I look forward to more of the same and seeing how the construction industry develops and responds to the challenges of the last couple of years – this is our reset moment, to be at the forefront of that – what a privilege.”

To mark the occasion, Focus will be hosting celebrations in early 2022 with all of our colleagues, collaborators, clients, contractors, friends!  Watch this space!