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In response to new Government legislation introduced after the Grenfell disaster, all properties in Scotland must meet higher standards in regards to smoke, fire and CO alarms. All local authorities and registered social landlords across Scotland have programmed works to complete upgrades in time for the March 2021 deadline. McGill’s specialist fire and security team has grown significantly over the past 12 months as the company has won several contracts to ensure compliance for its customers.

The £3.6million framework agreement with Falkirk Council and the £400,000 contract with Loreburn Housing Association were awarded to McGill after a competitive tender process whilst work remains suspended on all but essential Scottish sites.

McGill Managing Director, Douglas Thomson commented; “Whilst the past couple of months have been very difficult for our business and, of course, the entire industry, it is fantastic to have been awarded these contracts and continue the growth of McGill. Our estimating and BID teams have continued to work remotely during the COVID-19 situation and their efforts in securing this work have been great.

McGill’s fire and security team are currently delivering similar contracts across Scotland for several different clients including Fife Council, Langstane and Castlehill Housing Associations, both in and around Aberdeen.

Operations Director at McGill, Chris Ferriday added; “Our fire and security team are all exceptionally experienced and qualified people who continue to win more work and received glowing reviews from our clients. The team work hard and I am pleased that their efforts have been recognised by winning these contracts. We will be looking to employ a number of individuals as a result of these contract appointments and also offer more apprenticeships, which is fantastic.”

At this point the majority of building work has been put on hold in response to the Coronavirus pandemic. Scottish sites, in contrast to those south of the border remain closed and only essential work is permitted under Scottish Government guidance. Despite a scheduled announcement from First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon due later this week, advanced communications suggest that lock-down measures will not be relaxed over the coming weeks.

Further information is available at www.mcgill.co.uk. Follow McGill on LinkedIn or Facebook

About McGill

McGill are a Scottish building services contractor serving clients in the residential, commercial and industrial sectors across the country. McGill specialise in delivering large-scale public sector contracts for local authorities and housing associations. They have significant experience and expertise in all types of planned and reactive maintenance contracts, void properties, facilities management for commercial and public buildings and also new-build and refurbishment projects on both a large and smaller scale.

Despite entering administration in February 2019, the company has re-established itself and is growing quickly since being acquired by UK building sector investment group, United Capital.

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The framework, which will see McGill extend its long-established relationship with the Association for at least the next four years, includes internal refurbishment of flats, replacement of windows, kitchens and bathrooms plus common repairs to external walls and roofs.

McGill, having delivered a number of successful contracts with Govanhill Housing Association over the past few years, will continue to manage the contract from their local Govanhill depot.

McGill Managing Director, Douglas Thomson commented; “We are delighted to have been appointed to this new framework. Govanhill Housing Association is an important client for McGill and we are excited to be extending our working relationship for at least another four years. What the Association has achieved in the Govanhill area is exceptional, and we are proud to play our part.

Govanhill Housing Association and McGill have a long-standing relationship having completed a number of multi-million-pound contracts, similar to this new one. In August 2019 McGill re-opened its Govanhill depot after being awarded a £2.6million contract with the housing association.

Chris Ferriday, Operations Director at McGill added; “We have a great relationship with the team at Govanhill Housing Association and have delivered important work together. As part of these contracts we have not only been able to recruit locally and provide much needed jobs within the Govanhill area, but we have also been able to support a number of the association’s community projects. Our team and I are looking forward to continuing our relationship.”

Further information is available at www.mcgill.co.uk. Follow McGill on LinkedIn or Facebook

About McGill

McGill are a Scottish building services contractor serving clients in the residential, commercial and industrial sectors across the country. McGill specialise in delivering large-scale public sector contracts for local authorities and housing associations. They have significant experience and expertise in all types of planned and reactive maintenance contracts, void properties, facilities management for commercial and public buildings and also new-build and refurbishment projects on both a large and smaller scale.

Despite entering administration in February 2019, the company has re-established itself and is growing quickly since being acquired by UK building sector investment group, United Capital.

The post McGill appointed to Govanhill Housing Association’s £20million framework appeared first on United Capital.

McGill, which was rescued from administration by entrepreneur Graeme Carling in March 2019, continues to grow and re-establish itself as one of the top building services businesses in Scotland, having recently won several multi-million-pound contracts. Owner and current CEO, Graeme Carling commented:

“I am delighted to have Douglas join us at this important and exciting time. When I bought McGill I always said my position as CEO was temporary but that I would remain at the helm until we found the ideal candidate, this business needs a strong and capable leader. We went through a lengthy and rigorous selection process and I am confident that we have found the right person.

“Douglas is an exceptionally qualified and experienced Managing Director who will utilise his vast knowledge to ensure the further development of McGill through the next phase of growth, he will have my full support and that of our board. I am excited for what we will achieve in 2020 and beyond.”

Thomson, a Civil Engineer professional is tasked with building on the successful turnaround of McGill which saw over 70 employees recruited into the business and the opening of Glasgow and Aberdeen depots in 2019. Speaking of his appointment Thomson commented:

“McGill is a well-known and well-respected name in the industry, and I am looking forward to the challenge. The company achieved a lot in the 9 months since Graeme Carling saved it and I will look to build on this immediately. The team at McGill are some of the best in the sector and I am certain we will continue to grow the business.”

The post MCGILL NEWS: McGill starts 2020 with announcement of new Managing Director appeared first on United Capital.

Dundee-based building services company McGill has started the new year by announcing the appointment of a new Managing Director, Douglas Thomson, a vastly experienced industry expert who joins McGill having spent 19 years as Managing Director of one of Scotland’s leading construction companies, Aberdeenshire-based CHAP Group.

McGill, which was rescued from administration by entrepreneur Graeme Carling in March 2019, continues to grow and re-establish itself as one of the top building services businesses in Scotland, having recently won several multi-million-pound contracts. Owner and current Chief Executive Officer, Graeme Carling commented:

“I am delighted to have Douglas join us at this important and exciting time. When I bought McGill I always said my position as CEO was temporary but that I would remain at the helm until we found the ideal candidate, this business needs a strong and capable leader. We went through a lengthy and rigorous selection process and I am confident that we have found the right person.

“Douglas is an exceptionally qualified and experienced Managing Director who will utilise his vast knowledge to ensure the further development of McGill through the next phase of growth, he will have my full support and that of our board. I am excited for what we will achieve in 2020 and beyond.”

Thomson, a Civil Engineer professional is tasked with building on the successful turnaround of McGill which saw over 70 employees recruited into the business and the opening of Glasgow and Aberdeen depots in 2019. Speaking of his appointment Thomson commented:

“McGill is a well-known and well-respected name in the industry, and I am looking forward to the challenge. The company achieved a lot in the 9 months since Graeme Carling saved it and I will look to build on this immediately. The team at McGill are some of the best in the sector and I am certain we will continue to grow the business.”

In December, McGill owner, Graeme Carling announced that he had completed his second company purchase of 2019 by acquiring Forfar-based Alliance Electrical. The acquisition signals the intent of Graeme Carling’s investment company, United Capital which is the parent company of both businesses.

United Capital has been re-launched with a clear goal and strategy, to acquire UK based building services and facilities management companies with a collective turnover of £300million in the next 3 years.

Graeme Carling, in his capacity as United Capital CEO added:

“The opportunities to consolidate the fragmented UK building services sector are plentiful and United Capital will identify and acquire well-performing companies in this sector. The appointment of a new MD at McGill allows me to focus on driving activity at our group level and focus on getting the deals done. We are actively engaged and at advanced legal stages with companies with a collective turnover of over £50million and these are all expected to complete in the first half of 2020.”

About United Capital

United Capital is an investment group which is consolidating the fragmented UK building services and facilities management sector by acquiring well-performing, profitable companies, operating in the sector, who have a strong management team and clear growth strategies.

United Capital, through an established network of agents, brokers and solid marketing, identify and target companies operating in our target sector. Our strict criteria targets companies which are consistently delivering annual turnover of between £10- £30million, achieve strong profit levels and are currently delivering large-scale public-sector contracts for Government, NHS, MoD, Local Council Authorities and Housing Associations.

Further information is available at www.united-capital.co.uk. Follow United Capital on LinkedIn or YouTube

Media Contact

Fraser Kirk: Communications & Marketing Director – fraser.kirk@united-capital.co.uk | 07531 090912

The post Scottish Entrepreneur Graeme Carling announces re-launch of parent company to manage business interests and appointment of new McGill Managing Director appeared first on United Capital.

The firm has now won deals for smoke detector contracts with Aberdeen-based Langstane and Castlehill housing associations worth £1.6m.

McGill also has a contract to refurbish 100 bathroom and kitchens for Langstane worth around £100,000.

Chief executive Graeme Carling said: “Recruitment has started already in there for at least six staff and our more senior team will spend time to establish Aberdeen.

“We are looking to set up our base as soon as possible, before the end of the year. We don’t need a big site but we need a presence.”

Mr Carling said major contract wins across Scotland means he thinks the resurrected company, which has just over 50 staff, will have sales in excess of £10m next year.

He said: “We’ve been hiring as we’ve won work. A lot of people who used to work for the old McGill have been hired but we’ve been careful in our recruitment.”

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McGill, a former Scotland Top 500 company operating in the construction sector across Scotland entered administration in February with the loss of 440 jobs. Graeme Carling and his company Catalus Energy Investments stepped in to rescue the company and work has continued to re-build the organisation since.

Earlier this month Govanhill Housing Association appointed McGill to deliver a multi-million-pound housing redevelopment contract as part of the South West Govanhill Acquisition & Repair programme, funded by the Scottish Government and Glasgow City Council. The overall programme will invest £33m into the purchasing and refurbishment of hundreds of properties in the South West Govanhill area over a four-year period.

Dundee based McGill, who have announced the opening of a Glasgow depot, were previously appointed by Govanhill Housing Association in 2017 to complete phase one of the programme, and again in 2018.

Govanhill Housing Association, a community owned and managed organisation, aims to deliver significant improvements to property and living conditions by managing and maintaining the refurbished housing stock.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon commented; “It was great to see the work McGill are doing for Govanhill Housing Association. I was delighted to meet some of the workers who have been re-employed by McGill following the rescue of the company and to speak to them about the plans for bringing neglected property back up to the high standard required for social rent.

Sturgeon added: “I welcome McGill’s plans for a Glasgow depot and look forward to seeing the positive impact their work has on my constituency and on Scotland as a whole, both in terms of the jobs created and the impact of the important work which they carry out.”

McGill CEO Graeme Carling commented: “We are very excited to have been awarded this contract and to welcome the First Minister to one of our sites. We are proud of every job that we create and it is great to have been able to re-employ some of those who lost their jobs when the company entered administration. We opened our Glasgow depot earlier this month and are currently looking to recruit for a number of positions locally.”

Carling added: “McGill understand the value of community and admire the work being done by Govanhill Housing Association. We are looking forward to engaging with the South West Govanhill community and the work of the Association.”

Govanhill Housing Association Chairperson, Annie Macfarlane, added: “We are happy to announce our decision to award this contract to McGill, a capable and quality contractor who have delivered work for the Association in the past. The team at McGill bring with them expert knowledge and experience to deliver this contract successfully.”

“We are particularly pleased to welcome the First Minister to the South West Govanhill project area in the week the Association has purchased its 300th property, a significant milestone in our efforts to bring some of the poorest quality housing in the area back for social rent. We look forward to working with McGill to create much needed, quality homes for the community.”

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Dundee based McGill, who earlier this month announced the opening of a Glasgow depot, were previously appointed by Govanhill Housing Association in 2017 to complete phase one of the programme, and again in 2018.

Govanhill Housing Association, a community owned and managed organisation, aims to deliver significant improvements to property and living conditions by managing and maintaining the refurbished housing stock.

McGill CEO Graeme Carling commented: “We are very excited to have been awarded this contract and are looking forward to working with the fantastic team at Govanhill Housing Association again. We opened our Glasgow depot earlier this month and are currently looking to recruit for a number of positions locally.”

Carling added: “McGill understand the value of community and admire the work being done by Govanhill Housing Association. We are looking forward to engaging with the South West Govanhill community and the work of the Association.”

Govanhill Housing Association Chairperson, Annie Macfarlane, added: “We are happy to announce our decision to award this contract to McGill, a capable and quality contractor who have delivered work for the Association in the past. The team at McGill bring with them expert knowledge and experience to deliver this contract successfully. We look forward working with them again and creating more quality housing for the community.”

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The purchase, which is the first major acquisition since the company announced plans to revive McGill Homes earlier in the week and confirms the refocus of the Homes business on commercial to residential conversion projects.

McGill owner and CEO, Graeme Carling reports;

“We are excited to make this acquisition and announcement, which will confirm our intent to refocus McGill Homes on conversions rather than new builds. We looked at the site a number of months ago, and it is the perfect project for our business. Although McGill works across the country, it is great to announce our first major development in Dundee, and be part of the continued re-development of our waterfront”

The purchase of the building by McGill Homes, part of the newly formed McGill group of companies, with plans set to be submitted to Dundee City Council over the coming weeks.

McGill Chairman, Syd Fudge OBE commented:

“The project will convert the existing commercial property into residential units and work has already started to set out our plans for the development. It is a fantastic site in a prominent waterfront location and our development will maintain the stunning features of the building.

“These types of conversions are a typical development for McGill Homes and we are already in discussion to acquire similar development sites both in the city and around the country.”

The £515,000 site purchase confirms the commitment by the new owners to move the Homes business in a different direction and highlights their vision of growing McGill into one of the leading construction companies in the UK.

The 17,000 sq. ft. site sits on the corner of Gellatly Street and Dock Street in Dundee’s waterfront campus which is currently going through a £1billion redevelopment and includes the new V&A Dundee Museum.

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After being announced by KPMG as the preferred bidder for McGill & Co, today, United Capital has announced their acquisition of the assets, business and goodwill of McGill & Co.

On 26th February, KPMG announced United Capital, owned by Dundee based businessman Graeme Carling, as the preferred bidder and granted them a short period of exclusivity to acquire the business and certain assets of McGill & Co Limited, which entered administration on 1st February.

United Capital CEO, Graeme Carling announced: “We are delighted to confirm our purchase of the assets, business and goodwill of McGill & Co. Over the past month we have worked tirelessly to reach an agreement which allows us to move forward with our plans to re-establish McGill & Co.”

He added: “Our team have examined all information available to us and we now enter a period of engagement with previous customers and contracts. Moving forward, financial prudence will be the top priority while we outline the direction for the company and we plan to build a quality and skilled workforce to deliver on profitable contracts.”

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