New era dawns at McAdam following management buyout

Belfast-based multi-disciplinary consultancy McAdam Design is celebrating the start of a new era with new owners at the helm.
McAdam Design directors Fergus Kerr, John Findlay, Neal Kerr and Stephen Harding join existing managing director, Martin Hare as co-owners of this long-running businessMcAdam Design directors Fergus Kerr, John Findlay, Neal Kerr and Stephen Harding join existing managing director, Martin Hare as co-owners of this long-running business
McAdam Design directors Fergus Kerr, John Findlay, Neal Kerr and Stephen Harding join existing managing director, Martin Hare as co-owners of this long-running business

Belfast-based multi-disciplinary consultancy McAdam Design is celebrating the start of a new era with new owners at the helm.

Despite the recent challenges experienced within the construction industry, the company has created 15 new jobs, secured new contracts and with a fresh new brand they are looking forward to a bright future for this long-running independent firm.

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A management buyout of the business – which has been in operation for almost six decades – has seen directors – Fergus Kerr, John Findlay, Neal Kerr and Stephen Harding – become full equity partners, joining existing managing director, Martin Hare as co-owners of this successful award-winning business.

Congratulating the new owners and welcoming the beginning of the company’s next business chapter, Martin Hare, McAdam’s Managing Director, said: “The management buyout is a natural evolution of the business to ensure our continued growth and development. The new owners have great enthusiasm and energy for driving the future success of the business and their long-term involvement will provide continuity for our growing staff and clients whilst delivering a myriad of exciting projects.”

Speaking about his personal involvement with the company, Martin continued: “Having been with McAdam for over 30 years, I feel very proud to have witnessed first-hand - and played a part in - the company’s successes to date and look forward to having the opportunity to continue to shape the direction of the practice and build on its client-centred approach and values.”

Over the last year, McAdam has been successful in growing its client base with recent project wins and appointments to some key public sector frameworks in the Republic of Ireland. These wins have been possible due to the history of success and sound foundations generated by the previous ownership groups, which the new partners recognise and are building on.

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Fergus Kerr, who has been with the practice since graduating in 1994, said: “This is an exciting time for all of us in McAdam. Although the past year has had its challenges, thanks to the dedication of our staff, we have continued to enhance our local communities through delivering high quality engineering, architectural and project management services. We acknowledge the ongoing support of our existing clients and are delighted to have secured new clients in new sectors and in new regions, allowing us to grow our business and increase staff numbers.”

Director of Engineering at McAdam since 2012, Fergus has been instrumental in delivering and growing this key element of the business. The new company structure now places him as Head of Engineering which is both challenging and exciting in equal measure. He said: “Having worked closely with our previous Engineering Directors, Reynold Anthony and Mark Oliver for almost 30 years, I have a deep appreciation of the core values of McAdam and I am committed to ensuring these are maintained and enhanced as we move forward. Our clients and the communities we serve will always remain our main priority and focus.”

Established in 1963 - initially as an engineering practice - McAdam has grown to become one of Northern Ireland’s leading independent consultancies, offering civil and structural engineering, project management and architectural services, as well as extensive health & safety and environmental expertise to public and private sector clients across the UK and Ireland.

The practice, which boasts a staff complement of over 100, has been involved in delivering projects for a wide range of private and public sector clients including Northern Ireland Water, Department of Education, Department for Communities and many local housing associations and councils.

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Over the last decade McAdam has been involved in some of Northern Ireland’s biggest and most well-known community-enhancing schemes, including the iconic Peace Bridge and Ebrington Barracks in Londonderry; Custom House Square and Connswater Community Greenway in Belfast; Aurora Leisure Complex in Bangor; Belfast Leisure Transformation Programme and the Belfast Schools’ Partnership which delivered the Boys’ and Girls’ Model Schools.

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