Member Article

Consultancy firm hires experienced MD to help it grow into a ‘Northern Powerhouse’

THE NEW Managing Director of a leading construction consultancy has vowed to help keep the firm “punching above its weight”.

With decades of industry experience, James Redmayne has joined Zinc Consult after being won over by the firm’s ambition and workplace culture.

Launched almost a decade ago by former Network Rail colleagues Michael Phillips and Jonathan Blenkey, Zinc Consult provides an extensive range of consultancy services with a specialist focus on the rail sector.

During the past ten years, the Leeds-based firm has expanded its footprint by establishing itself as a northern powerhouse in the industry – with bases in Glasgow, Birmingham and Teesside.

Having joined following an 11 year stint leading the regional rail team for the global consultancy Arcadis, James is confident he can tap into his vast experience to continue Zinc Consult’s rapid growth.

“I’ve known and worked with Zinc Consult for over five years, and over that time I’ve developed a deep trust and respect for the owners and management team, which made joining an easy decision,” said James, who has previously worked in major projects for the likes of Network Rail, London Underground and the National Grid.

“I know the firm’s strengths and I’ve been incredibly impressed with the refreshing workplace culture - everyone within the business has a voice and is listened to.

“This business wants to succeed, and it wants the staff to succeed. My aim is to strengthen the foundations so we can explore new areas and opportunities to do just that.

“One of our biggest strengths is that our size enables the business means we can be more agile and flexible towards our customers needs, which some of the bigger firms can’t match. But at the same time, Zinc Consult keeps punching above its weight, and I’m thrilled to be in a role that will help the company continue to do so.”

Having spent 28 years as a quantity surveyor, James' worked his way into senior management positions from the bottom-up, having started as a junior. By the age of 35 he was an associate director and sought out the MD role in order to help “grow himself” as a leader.

His arrival further bolsters Zinc Consult’s workforce, which helps to deliver the firm’s range of pre and post-contract commercial services by utilising its in-depth knowledge of the rail industry.

Besides rail, it also offers consultancy services for sectors like energy, infrastructure and highways.

The company is constantly exploring new opportunities, recent exciting developments include an expansion into the renewables sector and the successful creation of an Estimating and Cost Planning Division.

According to Zinc Consult’s co-founder Jonathan Blenkey, the addition of James to the leadership team is “a real coup”.

“James has brought with him decades of invaluable experience and he’s already made some incredibly positive improvements to the business,” he said.

And co-founder Michael Philips added: “We are all delighted that James has joined Zinc Consult, and we expect him to play a vital role in our continued growth.

“Our business is built around delivering a quality service on time and to budget, and we know James will help to maintain those core values.”

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