14/07/2025
A word from Dave:
This week marks three years since I founded ARD Consulting Engineers with the ambition to bring meaningful change to construction—pushing steelwork design to be more efficient, robust, and fit for the needs of today while always managing risk.
Over these three years, we’ve:
Welcomed Ellie and Bradley to the team, starting our journey of growth and investing in apprenticeships and training.
Delivered over 300 projects, from small connection design packages to major refurbishments—including a standout brewery modernisation and several NHS projects.
Built strong partnerships with clients such as Olympic Welding, J Knight Design, Roy Allen Engineering, Advanced Structural Detailing, Newform Construction, PFG Fabrication, and Docherty Roofing. Thank you for your trust and collaboration!
Being an employer has been one of the biggest challenges.
Business owners rarely get training in HR or culture-building, and balancing staff, turnover, and profit is a steep learning curve. I’m proud of how Ellie and Bradley have embraced the ARD ethos and helped shape our culture.
Construction never stands still—new legislation, building relationships, and brand-building are daily challenges I’m learning to embrace.
Looking ahead:
I’m excited to continue growing the team, bringing in another engineer to strengthen our structures department and support Bradley’s training. The dream? Our own office space in Attleborough, ideally shared with other small businesses—something the town needs for long-term success.
Traditions matter too!
From our first road trip to Harry Potter World, we’ve learned that shared experiences outside the office help build a stronger team.
My advice for others:
Start as you mean to go on. Set up good habits, templates, and systems early—your future self will thank you. Don’t be afraid to adapt and revisit your foundations as you grow. Mistakes are inevitable; it’s how you handle and resolve them that people remember.
And most importantly, remember why you do what you do. Make time away from the business to enjoy life with your family and do the things that make you happy. Those moments—whether it’s celebrating achievements, spending time with loved ones, or just having a bit of fun—are just as important as the wins at work.
Thank you to everyone who’s been part of our journey so far. Here’s to the next chapter! 🎉
