Firm switches between historic buildings but with an eye on the future as it grows

EXPANDING engineering consultancy Rodgers Leask has moved into new premises in Derby to deal with an increased workload.

The company has taken over the whole of the ground floor of St James House on Mansfield Road, with an eye looking firmly to the future.

A section of the new Rodgers Leask premises.

The company originally started in Orchard Street, off St Helen’s Street, which has since disappeared under re-developments.

Then, with the help of a developer, it moved into Role Mill, a four-storey former silk mill in Canal Street, dating back to the early 19^th century. 

“We had outgrown the Canal Street building after 26 years”, said managing director Andy Leask, who started looking for new premises about 18 months ago. The company found the former VAT offices in St James House about a year ago.

The rented offices have been extensively refurbished to an open plan design with new ceiling, new carpeting, and efficient, environmentally-friendly lighting, heating, and cooling.

Bosses have desks among the staff, though there is a directors’ boardroom, meeting rooms which have technology for conferences with clients, and ‘quiet’ working areas away from the main area. There is also a ‘break-out’ area where staff can relax.

There is even a special room for Rodgers Leask Environmental staff to process soil samples.

Andy puts the smooth transition down to two people –  landlord Don Prime, who he says has been very pro-active in helping the company move and settle in, and Jo Tabberer, the consultancy’s business manager who, Andy says, did all the hard work after he came up with the concept.

“I and my fellow directors are delighted with the new premises and the feedback from our staff and clients has been very positive and heartening,” he said.

Directors: (left to right) Paul Spencer, Lawrence Pacey, Stewart Friel and Andy Leask in the boardroom of their new Derby premises.

At present there are 46 staff on site, but the new premises can comfortably accommodate 70. The plan is to recruit eight staff a year over each of the next three years under the company’s vision for future growth and development.

The move has been aided by Derby Enterprise Growth Fund which awarded a  £56,000 grant to help create jobs.

The £20 million Derby Enterprise Growth Fund helps businesses expand and create jobs through grants and loans. It is run by Derby City Council and supported by the Regional Growth Fund.

Ironically, for Andy the move has meant that in site terms he has moved full circle. When he graduated in 1976 his first job was with FC Construction on City Road opposite the current premises, which then formed part of St Mary’s goods depot. “It’s quite surreal to be back here,” he said.

Rodgers Leask can trace its history back 30 years. The company  delivers major civil engineering and building projects across the country from its headquarters in Derby and offices in Birmingham and London.

The company held an evening wine reception to showcase the new premises to customers and business contacts representatives from various firms in the construction and allied industries.