Tucked beside Old Paradise Gardens and just moments from the busyness of Albert Embankment, Paradise11 transforms a challenging urban site into one of London’s most forward-thinking workplaces. 

Developed by Bywater, the six-storey mass-timber building brings together wellbeing, sustainability and contemporary design to create a warm, healthy and highly efficient office environment, which in turn is setting a new standard for how we design in dense city locations. 

Positioned on a tightly constrained site between railway arches and residential buildings, Paradise11 transforms a challenging urban plot into a modern & sustainable workplace.

Working on Paradise as the MEP & Sustainability Consultants has been incredibly rewarding for our teams involved, and seeing the building come to life to such a high standard is fantastic. With exposed ceilings and visible services, the design embraces a modern aesthetic that celebrates the character of the CLT and glulam frame.  

Driving Sustainability Beyond Industry Targets 

Our team helped to shape a building that performs far beyond current benchmarks. Early-stage modelling, energy strategy development and extensive coordination with the design team helped to achieve: 

• BREEAM: Excellent 

• WELL: Gold 

• EPC: A 

• Around 20% improvement beyond UKGBC operational energy targets 

• MEP is embodied carbon 8.9% better performance than the GLA benchmark 

• 272m² of rooftop PV for onsite energy generation 

These achievements indicate that Paradise is well-positioned for emerging regulation and performs efficiently compared with many UK office buildings. 

Paradise is one of the first large-scale commercial projects in the UK to use Daikin’s VRV-5 R32 refrigerant system, chosen for its low global warming potential. From the start, our team focused on creating a building that wasn’t just energy-efficient but was also a great place to work for its future occupants, with natural ventilation to improve comfort, low-carbon materials to reduce environmental impact, and carefully considered thermal design. 

The building is also WELL accredited, reflecting the focus on occupant health, comfort, and overall quality. 

The building has achieved WELL accreditation, a recognised standard that places human health and wellbeing at the centre of design and operation. This certification highlights the project’s commitment to creating an environment where occupants feel healthier, more comfortable, and more productive every day. From enhanced air and water quality to thoughtful lighting, acoustic comfort, and wellness-driven amenities, the spaces within Old Paradise are crafted to support both physical and mental wellbeing. The result is a workplace that not only performs at a high level but also helps people thrive. 

Technical Coordination with Mass Timber 

Working with mass-timber structures, such as Paradise11, requires exceptional coordination. Our team worked closely with Webb Yates, B&K, and OFR Consultants to integrate services within CLT slabs and glulam beams while meeting stringent fire and structural requirements. 

This allowed the design team to develop one of the first certified solutions for fire dampers suitable for timber floors and ensure all services could be routed through the structure without compromising fire safety or visual aesthetics.  

Awards and Recognition

Paradise11 brings together low-carbon materials, smart engineering and elegant design to create a workplace that is both inspiring and exceptionally efficient. As mass timber gains momentum across the industry, this project shows just how far the approach can go. It also reflects what we do best at Wallace Whittle: working closely with clients and design teams to solve technical challenges, protect design intent and push environmental performance far beyond expectations. Paradise 11 is a blueprint for the commercial buildings of the future, and we’re proud to have helped make it possible.

If you’re looking to reduce operational carbon, push technical boundaries, or deliver next-generation buildings, contact us at [email protected] 

As winter approaches, we’re excited to highlight the newest internal promotions across Wallace Whittle. November is traditionally a busy and energising period for our industry, and it offers the ideal opportunity to celebrate the people whose talent and dedication power our success.

Our continued growth wouldn’t be possible without our team, and it’s inspiring to see so many individuals taking on new challenges, stepping into leadership positions, and progressing within the business.

Swipe through the team’s photos to hear directly from them about their promotion and new role.

Glasgow

The recent promotions within our Glasgow office reflect both individual achievement and the wider ambitions of the business. As the team continues to grow, we must empower those who embody our core values of leadership, quality, and teamwork. These promotions support our strategic priorities and ensure that Glasgow remains a strong driving force within Wallace Whittle.

“We believe in investing in our people and supporting them as they develop their careers. The progress we’re seeing in our Glasgow office goes to show the drive and commitment of our team, and it’s this effort that fuels the wider growth of the business. With the company moving into an exciting phase, recognising and rewarding that hard work through promotions remains a key part of our approach.”

Barry McKeane, Location Director for Glasgow shared.

Warrington

As Wallace Whittle continues to expand its presence in England, we are proud to recognise the contributions of our talented team members in Warrington, who have played a pivotal role in driving this progress. Paul Dean, Director of our Warrington and Manchester offices, shared his thoughts on the recent promotions within his area.

“Alisdair & Colin’s promotions from Associate to Associate Director are true recognition of their technical performance across multiple sectors, their longevity and commitment to Wallace Whittle and their relationships and trust gained with repeat clients. Matthew has also been promoted to Intermediate Mechanical Engineer, recognising the outstanding performance he has shown since joining us as a Graduate Engineer.” Paul shared.

This kind of leadership has been instrumental in building a strong foundation for our growth in the English market. The Warrington team’s achievements reflect our wider strategy to strengthen our leadership capability as we continue expanding across the UK.

Belfast

The latest promotions in Belfast create space for greater leadership, new responsibilities, and fresh opportunities for growth. Those stepping up will be instrumental in developing their teams, enhancing quality, and helping to bring consistency across the business. Their ability to support, motivate, and work collaboratively with others will be central to our success moving forward.

“It’s been a fantastic year for our Belfast office. We’ve moved into our new office space, grown our team, and built real momentum. Aidan has been instrumental in driving this forward, and Nick’s arrival has added even more strength and depth to the team. Their promotions to Associate reflect their dedication and the positive impact they’ve made. Huge congratulations to both, I couldn’t be happier for them“

Gavin McCausland shared, Location Director for Belfast.

Birmingham

Since launching last year, our Birmingham office has gone from strength to strength under the leadership of Darren Wright, alongside Carl Saxon, Regional Director for the South of England. The team continues to demonstrate exceptional dedication, quality, and hard work, driving the growth of the office and delivering excellent outcomes for our clients. It is this commitment and “graft” that we are proud to recognise through promotions within the team.

“I’m proud of the progress our Birmingham team has made since opening last year. Seeing the dedication, talent, and teamwork every day is inspiring, and Lewis’s promotion is a great reflection of the hard work and commitment he has shown. It’s a pleasure to see our people grow and succeed.” Darren shared.

Aberdeen

Our Aberdeen office, Wallace Whittle’s most northern location, continues to go from strength to strength, serving projects across the Highlands of Scotland. The team’s dedication to high-quality delivery and client service are central to this success, and we are pleased to recognise this through a well-deserved promotion within the office.

“Douglas is a technically strong and competent engineer and his work is always carried out to a very high standard.  His promotion to Senior Electrical Engineer is very well deserved.”

Director of Aberdeen, Andy Forbes, shared.

BIM

Our BIM team is fundamental to the success of Wallace Whittle, providing expertise and guidance across projects nationwide. They ensure the consistent application of standards, facilitate seamless collaboration, and help mitigate risks, supporting both our teams and our clients. This year, several members of the BIM team have received well-deserved promotions, a testament to the department’s ongoing success and the high-quality contributions they make to the business.

“BIM is at the heart of how we deliver projects efficiently and consistently across the country. Seeing so many team members promoted this year is fantastic recognition of their dedication, skill, and commitment to supporting both our teams and our clients.”

Associate Director, Martin Lorimer shared

This year’s promotions across our offices reflect the talent, dedication, and hard work of our people. Each promotion is not just a recognition of individual achievement, but also a reflection of the collaborative spirit, expertise, and commitment that drives Wallace Whittle forward.

As we continue to grow and take on exciting projects, we remain proud to invest in our people, nurturing their careers and celebrating the successes that make our business stronger.

If you’re interested in joining Wallace Whittle or learning more about our ethos, please reach out to us at [email protected] or visit WW:Careers

Our target is to double our England turnover within the next three years. This bold ambition is underpinned by our unwavering commitment to quality and a client-focused approach, delivered through consistent standards across all Wallace Whittle locations.

With six decades of expertise rooted in Scotland, and well-established offices in London and Warrington, our recent launches in Birmingham and Manchester further demonstrate our drive for progress and sustained growth, and we’re not stopping there.

Most recently, Carl Saxon has joined Wallace Whittle as Regional Director, with responsibilities for growth across the South of England, supported by our Birmingham and London offices. With 27 years of industry experience, Carl brings a wealth of knowledge in developing teams and delivering large-scale projects across the UK. He will work closely with our Directors in Birmingham and London to propel further growth and development.

Carl shared with us,

“Wallace Whittle is first and foremost a business centered around people – colleagues, clients and communities. That’s what delivers real success and will be central to moving forward and increasing the brilliance the business already enjoys.

The standard of quality and technical expertise is unmatched so it’s now about solidifying our presence across England and becoming the defining characteristic of building services engineering. This quality and personal touch is why the team is tackling some of the sector’s biggest challenges like regulation compliance – for example securing Gateway 2 approvals – with success and a smile.

We are also keenly aware of the skills gap within our field and are proud to be supporting accessible training pathways for the next generation, as well as encouraging career progression. We are inspired by the opportunities that lie ahead and want to promote that throughout the business, the region and the industry.”

With a strategic focus on growth across the Midlands, Carl will work closely with Birmingham Location Director Darren Wright, who has played a key role in establishing our presence in the region over the past 18 months, including a recent office move to the prestigious Colmore Business District to support team growth. Darren shared:

“While we have built a strong residential portfolio in Birmingham, this continued growth is what will enable us to branch out into new territory; life sciences, healthcare, and the soaring demand for data centres. Working seamlessly and collaboratively with Warrington, Manchester and London gives us unrivalled, collective experience. We are a safe pair of hands, offering consistency regardless of where the resource comes from.”

We’ve also strengthened our London office, welcoming 14 new team members in the past two months, and relocating to a larger space. London Location Director Peter Kirk, who has been leading operations since his appointment in August, shared:

“Our team in London benefits from deep, and longstanding client relationships that Wallace Whittle has supported through extremely complex and unusual schemes. However, we are not just relying on our past success; it is important to be focused on the future. This means continuing to deliver the quality that we are known for, being that reliable partner for new and existing clients, and making room for fresh talent.

That’s how we make sure our great reputation is only going to grow further. We have the people, the expertise, the resources, and the forward plan – and it’s by bringing that all together with our personal touch to relationships that delivers true success for clients and their projects.”

Carl added, saying:

“Wallace Whittle measures success not just by commercial growth, but by the continuous stream of repeat business, which is seen as the ultimate barometer of client satisfaction and technical delivery excellence. Our England teams are dedicated to ensuring every project serves as a vehicle for the next one, fostering engaged, long-standing relationships across the industry.”

The capability and credibility of our team is reflected in major projects such as the recommenced Smithfield regeneration in Birmingham, one of the largest schemes in the Midlands outside of HS2, and the redevelopment of the Bush House South West Wing at King’s College London, led by Kier.”

The Wallace Whittle team had a fantastic two days in Manchester, connecting with industry peers, clients, and collaborators across the healthcare engineering and estates sector. 

As always, the event was a brilliant opportunity to discuss the future of healthcare design, sustainability, and innovation and to share how we’re helping shape that future through our ongoing work across the UK. 

With insightful keynote sessions focused on net zero delivery, digital innovation, and patient-centered design, IHEEM 2025 once again proved why it’s a must-attend event for healthcare professionals.  

Our stand at H16 was a hub of conversation, with our team discussing everything from MEP coordination and ESG strategy to net zero healthcare design, and of course, handing out plenty of our iconic orange socks.  

This year’s Healthcare Estates conference theme, “Prevention Is Better Than Cure” resonates with our approach to design. When it comes to building services and sustainable design for healthcare facilities, we aim to deliver end-to-end solutions, acting as both technical advisors and full-service design providers.  

We spoke to Paul Cooper, the healthcare lead for Scotland and Northern Ireland, about what’s been the most exciting innovation or trend he’s seen at IHEEM this year. 

“One of the most exciting innovations we’ve seen today is the integration of public services with the NHS. Dr. Patel’s session on the Integrated Mortuary Project really highlighted how this approach can be rolled out more widely across the country. We’ve been involved in that project from the very beginning, so it’s been fantastic to see the concept gaining traction, and we’re looking forward to seeing how it develops in future.” 

IHEEM also shed light on some of the issues we see within healthcare estates, from a lack of communication across disciplines to a lack of funding. Healthcare Lead for England, Jon Blackhurst, shared the following on the biggest challenge facing healthcare projects right now: 

“From an MEP perspective, there’s often a fine balance between funding models and energy efficiency. While there’s a strong drive towards achieving net zero, the available funding structures don’t always align with those ambitions, and that’s where careful design and strategic thinking become essential.” 

Sustainability continues to be a central theme in conversations around healthcare estates and design. With the growing drive toward Net Zero Carbon (NZC) and an increased focus on social value, healthcare facilities occupy a unique position, where patient and community experience sit at the heart of every decision.  Now more than ever, there’s a need for spaces that are both environmentally responsible and socially meaningful, offering lasting value to the people they serve. 

We spoke to Sarah Chipchase, Director of Sustainability, to explore how healthcare facilities can lead the way in demonstrating social value alongside environmental performance. 

“Healthcare facilities have a unique opportunity to combine environmental design with community benefits. 

By creating spaces that act as genuine community hubs, we can encourage people to come together, access vital services, and connect with their environment. It’s also about embracing opportunities, from renewable energy integration to green spaces that support wellbeing. What’s exciting is that users themselves are driving this change, and that momentum allows us to take the lessons learned in healthcare and apply them across other sectors too.” 

We also spoke to ESG Associate, Monika Munzinger about how the NHS can meet the ambitious target of being Net Zero by 2045.

“To meet these goals, it is essential to adopt a holistic approach that integrates ESG into every aspect of its operations, from estates and infrastructure to procurement and clinical services. 

Beyond carbon reductions, this transformation involves delivering resilient estates that support improved health outcomes. Introducing efficiencies around maintenance and upgrades now, will ensure that facilities are future-proofed and adaptable to evolving energy systems. Providing green and accessible outdoor spaces, for staff, patients and visitors, will greatly enhance wellbeing. These have the potential to provide additional benefits by prevent other health conditions in future, as well as save the NHS associated costs treating these. Embedding ESG into its core strategy, will enable the NHS to build a healthcare system that is environmentally responsible, socially inclusive, and governed with integrity.”

Throughout the event, our team shared insights from projects such as The New Monklands Replacement Project, Victoria Infirmary, and Peterborough City Hospital, all of which showcase our commitment to delivering low-carbon, patient-focused healthcare environments. You can learn more about our current healthcare projects here.

Thank you to everyone who stopped by our stand and joined us for a chat. It was fantastic to reconnect with familiar faces, meet new peers across the sector, and exchange ideas on how engineering, sustainability, and design continue to evolve within healthcare estates. 

As our Director for Manchester & Warrington, Paul Dean, summed up perfectly: 

“We had a really enjoyable two days at IHEEM, a combination of inspiring seminars and thought-provoking conversations. Many thanks to industry colleagues and friends who visited our stand and reached out to engage in further discussion and future debate. It’s an exciting time for the healthcare sector, and we look forward to playing an integral part in it.” 

The event once again highlighted how collaboration and innovation across disciplines are shaping the future of healthcare delivery, from MEP and sustainability to digital design and patient-centred environments. 

WWith IHEEM 2025 fast approaching, we’re taking the opportunity to shine a spotlight on some of the standout healthcare projects in our portfolio.

Across the UK, we work with a wide range of prestigious clients and collaborators on construction and infrastructure projects that help shape the future of healthcare. 

This year’s Healthcare Estates conference theme, “Prevention Is Better Than Cure”, resonates strongly with our approach. When it comes to building services and sustainable design for healthcare facilities, Wallace Whittle delivers comprehensive, end-to-end solutions, acting as both technical advisors and full-service design providers. 

Our expertise spans the full spectrum of healthcare environments, from primary, secondary, and tertiary care developments to community health initiatives and care centres, including, but not limited to, the following projects: 

New University Hospital Monklands 

We are proud to be part of the transformative New University Hospital Project, a landmark development redefining what a ‘next generation’ hospital can be. This project takes a holistic, innovative approach to deliver a highly sustainable, low-carbon facility with a human-centered focus on health, wellbeing, and amenity. 

In line with Monklands’ commitment to achieving zero direct greenhouse gas emissions from heating, the design eliminates reliance on fossil fuels. Through detailed feasibility studies, client engagement, and advanced energy modelling, we’ve developed a viable route to meet Net Zero aspirations and comply with the Net Zero Carbon Public Sector Buildings (NZCPSB) guidance. 

This state-of-the-art facility will provide an exceptional level of care to the community, with extensive services including a new Emergency Department, Radiology, Radiotherapy, Cancer Care, Pharmacy, Clinical Research facilities, and modern ward blocks, all delivered with sustainability at their core. 

Victoria Infirmary 

Earlier this year saw the successful completion of our work at Victoria Infirmary, a project our teams have been engaged with since 2023. We provided full MEP design, Energy, BREEAM, and Net Zero Carbon services, along with construction-phase support through to completion, and we’re now continuing to deliver post-occupancy support to ensure long-term performance. 

This project was particularly rewarding as the development sits adjacent to the Grade II listed Verdin House, requiring sensitive integration of modern healthcare facilities within a historic context. The new extension now houses an entirely new department, featuring two state-of-the-art operating theatres and associated support accommodation, expanding vital services to the community in Northwich and the wider region. 

Balfour Hospital

This project marked a transformative development for the island of Orkney, with the modern Balfour Hospital delivering a comprehensive range of healthcare services not only for the town of Kirkwall but for the entire island population. Designed as a true ‘one-stop shop’ for care, the hospital integrates primary care, emergency and elective diagnostics, operating theatres, outpatient, daycare, and inpatient services, alongside GP and dental care, all under one roof. 

Beyond its clinical facilities, the hospital also offers a host of community-focused spaces, including multifunctional conference rooms, a restaurant, seating areas, a shop, a therapy garden, a children’s play area, and extensive outdoor spaces to support wellbeing and connection. 

A major part of the project was creating a future-proof, sustainable strategy tailored to Orkney’s unique renewable energy capacity. By harnessing local resources, we developed a hybrid heat pump solution that balances legislative requirements with practical considerations, ensuring a resilient and low-carbon energy system for years to come. 

New Gorbals Health & Care Centre 

The Gorbals Health & Care Centre brings together an extensive range of primary care, clinical, social care and voluntary support services under one roof, creating a truly integrated facility for the local community. Services span from GP practices and outreach clinics to physiotherapy and podiatry, alongside mental health, children and family services, rehabilitation and enablement support, community and private dental care, voluntary organisations and CHCP staff and management teams. This makes the centre a genuine one-stop hub for health and wellbeing in the Gorbals area of Glasgow. 

A key driver of the project was alignment with the Scottish Futures Trust Reference Community Healthcare Programme, ensuring cost and programme targets were fully achieved. Wallace Whittle was involved from the early stages, advising on building orientation, façade materials and window design, decisions that enabled us to optimise building services solutions and deliver a high-performing, energy-efficient facility. 

Since opening, the Gorbals Health & Care Centre has been widely recognised for its design and delivery, including Winner of the Health Facilities Scotland Award for Design Excellence (2019) and Finalist at the Scottish Property Awards for Healthcare Development (2020). 

Golden Jubilee National Hospital 

The expansion of the Golden Jubilee National Hospital in Dalmuir has been a landmark project for our team, delivered in multiple phases over several years to meet Scotland’s growing demand for elective care. 

Phase 1 saw the creation of a purpose-built Eye Centre, featuring six state-of-the-art theatres with integrated outpatient and diagnostic facilities. This phase has already set a new standard of care, particularly for patients undergoing cataract surgery, and laid a strong foundation for the hospital’s future development. 

Phase 2 further elevated the hospital’s capabilities, introducing a new Surgical Centre with expanded facilities for general surgery, orthopaedics, endoscopy, and a dedicated Day Case/Day Surgery Admission Unit. These upgrades have significantly increased capacity and streamlined patient care. We delivered MEP and sustainability consultancy to ensure the hospital not only meets current clinical needs but does so with energy efficiency and long-term resilience in mind. 

Peterborough City Hospital

The £347 million Peterborough City Hospital project encompasses a major Acute Hospital, Mental Health Unit and Integrated Care Centre, delivering a comprehensive range of healthcare services under one unified development. Our role was key in meeting the diverse requirements of multiple stakeholders, helping to design high-performance, low-carbon facilities that support both clinical excellence and environmental sustainability. 

Since the completion of the main development, our involvement has continued through a series of remodelling works and additional building projects designed to adapt the facility to changing needs. Initially, we provided MEP Design and feasibility to Stage 4 and now act as the client’s MEP Technical Advisors, overseeing a variety of ongoing works, including the recent 4th-floor ward conversion, ensuring that the hospital continues to evolve with resilience and efficiency at its core. 

Greenock Health & Care Centre 

Delivered in partnership with Hub West Scotland on behalf of NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde, the Greenock Health Centre stands proudly on the former Wellington Academy site in the heart of Greenock. Handed over in March 2021, the new facility has replaced the existing health centre with modern, purpose-built health and social care premises, significantly expanding the range of services available to the community. 

The centre offers a comprehensive range of services under one roof; from four GP practices to community dental facilities, podiatry, physiotherapy, sexual health clinics, child and adolescent mental health services, district nursing, and a host of other treatment spaces and dedicated community outreach clinics. 

Since opening, the Greenock Health & Care Centre has become a vital asset to the local community and surrounding areas. Its impact has been recognised with multiple accolades, including Highly Commended for Design Excellence by NHS Assure, Finalist for Health Care Development of the Year at the Scottish Property Awards (2022), Finalist for the Public Sector Projects Award at the 2022 RICS Awards, and Highly Commended for Best Healthcare Development at the Building Better Healthcare Awards (2022). 

Warwick Hospital

The proposed Phase 2 development at Warwick Hospital will deliver a diagnostic and day surgery hub designed to serve the local community and enhance patient care. Spanning 7,000m², the new building will complement the hospital’s upcoming main entrance and feature five state-of-the-art operating theatres, X-ray, MRI, and CT clusters, Urology and Women’s Health departments, as well as staff accommodation and administrative spaces.

Meeting HTM compliance and ambitious Net Zero energy targets is central to the client’s brief, with the design incorporating low- to zero-carbon building services solutions and a fabric-first approach to energy efficiency to ensure a sustainable, resilient, and future-proof facility. Wallace Whittle is providing MEP design and sustainability consultancy services, supporting the delivery of a modern, efficient, and patient-focused healthcare environment.

At Wallace Whittle, we’re proud to play a key role in delivering healthcare environments that prioritise patient care, staff wellbeing, energy efficiency, and long-term sustainability. Our involvement in these projects reflects our commitment to innovation, collaboration, and technical excellence across the healthcare sector. 

As we prepare for Healthcare Estates 2025, we’re looking forward to sharing our insights, connecting with industry peers, and exploring how together we can continue to shape the future of healthcare. To learn more about our attendees, read our latest article. 

For more on our Healthcare Expertise, you can visit our dedicated page here.

We’re looking forward to participating in the Institute of Healthcare Engineering & Estate Management (IHEEM) 2025 Healthcare Estates Conference, Exhibition, and Awards. This year’s event will take place on 21 – 22 October at Manchester Central, bringing together the leading minds in healthcare engineering, estate management, and innovation.

With an even bigger stand and more of our team attending than ever before, Wallace Whittle is set to make an even greater impact at Healthcare Estates 2025. We’re looking forward to connecting with a wider network of industry professionals, collaborating with partners old and new, and showcasing the breadth of our latest healthcare projects and initiatives, from innovative design solutions to sustainable, patient-focused environments shaping the future of healthcare.

Healthcare Estates is the UK’s largest event for healthcare estates and engineering professionals, with over 250 exhibitors, over 100 speakers and thousands of attendees expected again in 2025. It’s a highlight of the industry calendar.

We’re proud to work with prestigious clients and collaborators across the UK on a diverse range of healthcare projects. From primary and acute care facilities to large-scale developments like replacement hospitals, our team delivers full building services, sustainability design, ESG, and technical advisory roles, ensuring modern, efficient, and patient-focused healthcare environments.  To learn more, please visit our dedicated Healthcare hub, Healthcare Expertise.

Visit us at our new and expanded Stand H16, where you can meet our team, learn about our projects, and discuss how we’re helping to shape the future of healthcare.

Whether you’re interested in discussing upcoming projects, exploring our services, or simply catching up, we’d love to see you at Healthcare Estates 2025. If you’d like to arrange a meeting in advance, please reach out to one of our attendees below:

Following the acquisition of Davie + McCulloch six months ago, Wallace Whittle has blended skills and capabilities to deliver even more for our clients. 

Six months ago, we took an important step in our journey of continued growth, the acquisition of Glasgow-based M&E consultancy, Davie + McCulloch. Since then, our teams have been busy integrating, collaborating, and working on some great projects together. 

Six Months of Collaboration & Progress 

From day one, the integration of Davie + McCulloch into Wallace Whittle has been driven by collaboration, mutual respect, and a shared commitment to delivering outstanding results for our clients. 

In these first six months, the combined team has:

• Strengthened sector expertise, bringing specialist knowledge in higher education, secure care and industrial services into our service offerings. 

• We’ve also seen the benefits extend beyond technical skills. The integration has encouraged fresh perspectives, new approaches to problem-solving, and greater agility in delivering complex projects. 

• Enhanced collaboration and knowledge-sharing across teams, helping to embed best practices and drive consistent quality across all projects. 

Reflections on Integration 

Supporting the smooth integration of Davie + McCulloch into Wallace Whittle has been a true team effort. In the early phase, particular focus was given to ensuring continuity of projects and building strong client relationships. The previous owners, Ian Oxburgh and Keith MacDougall, both of whom are now enjoying retirement, played a key role in the handover of ongoing and upcoming projects, helping to make the transition seamless for both clients and our new colleagues. 

Supporting the smooth integration of Davie + McCulloch into Wallace Whittle has been a true team effort. We spoke to Associate Director Martin Lorimer, who was closely involved in the integration. He explained that his main priority was simply to “be available” to answer queries, support project delivery, and provide guidance on Wallace Whittle’s processes. He emphasised that the learning went both ways, with the D+M team bringing valuable perspectives and approaches that enriched the collaborative effort. 

The results of this approach have been clear, with client teams embracing the change and projects continuing without disruption. Beyond project delivery, the personal connections have also been important, with the D+M team quickly becoming a valued part of the Glasgow office. 

The acquisition has also broadened Wallace Whittle’s portfolio, with expanded involvement in areas such as Secure Care projects for local authorities. As Martin noted, this has allowed the business to strengthen relationships with both new and existing clients, demonstrating the scale and expertise Wallace Whittle can offer. 

“The biggest success is in how well it has gone. We have some great projects underway, and the team continues to be busy. The various client teams also continue to embrace the change. It’s been very much a ‘business as usual’ approach, which is a testament to how well the team have adapted and embraced the change. It’s also been great getting to know the D&M team much better, not only a great bunch of people, but also great engineers, technicians and financial support providers, all of whom are further strengthening the Glasgow office.” 

Project Highlights 

From legacy Davie + McCulloch schemes to new Wallace Whittle opportunities, the past six months have been busy and rewarding for the team. 

For Matt McStay, Mechanical Engineer, stepping into a lead role has been a major milestone: 

“I’ve been leading the mechanical design for the West Midlands Secure Centre project, which has been a really interesting challenge. It’s given me an insight into the specific requirements and nature of this type of facility, which has different needs to typical projects and has helped broaden my experience.” 

Mark Stevenson, MEP Engineer, also pointed to progress on the WMSC as a personal highlight, particularly the opportunity to refine and improve on the original Davie + McCulloch design: 

“Improving our original West Midlands Safe Centre design and getting that out was pleasing. It would be good to get deeper involvement in one of WW’s bigger projects.” 

Meanwhile, Calum McVay, Senior Electrical Engineer, highlighted the ANZIC project for the University of Strathclyde as a particularly rewarding moment. 

“One of the projects we brought across was the ANZIC project for the University of Strathclyde, which had its formal opening ceremony a couple of weeks ago. That was a challenging project, and it was deeply satisfying to see it over the line.” 

Together, these experiences highlight how the integration has allowed the team to both continue delivering on established projects and expand into new areas, with opportunities to lead, learn, and contribute to projects of greater scale and complexity. 

The Wallace Whittle Way 

One of the clearest themes to emerge from the past six months has been the impact of Wallace Whittle’s standards, processes, and resources. For many of the former Davie + McCulloch team, the transition has provided both a challenge and a real opportunity to raise the bar in their own work. 

Kenny Alexander, Electrical Associate, described it as “something of a sea change,” particularly in terms our rigorous QA processes: 

“The very high standards expected and demanded from the smallest to the largest of projects… while demanding, ensures that anything leaving the building is of the highest standard and quality.” 

Calum echoed this sentiment, pointing out how the QA framework drives consistency: 

“The QA side of things is tough at times, but you can see why it’s in place, it makes sure everything that goes out is top quality.” 

For Peter O’Gormley, BIM Technician, the resources available have been the biggest surprise: 

“The QA processes has surprised me the most, but this has helped me get used to WWallace Whittle Standard and what’s expected. Also being part of a larger BIM team has been great for development already” 

Taken together, these reflections highlight how the “Wallace Whittle way” isn’t just about robust processes and systems, but also about creating an environment where people feel supported and connected, both professionally and socially. The combination of high expectations, strong resources, and a collaborative culture has set the tone for how the integrated team is now working together. We put quality at the heart of everything we do. Our rigorous QA processes don’t just maintain standards; they raise them, helping us deliver consistently excellent outcomes for clients and exceed industry expectations. We spoke to Raymond Kelly, Associate Director/Quality & Standardisation Manager, to hear his thoughts.  

“When the team joined us, we conducted an induction session focused on Wallace Whittle Company Standards and Operational Processes. This ensured that, from the outset, the team understood the mandatory checking procedures embedded across the business. Central to this approach is the principle of individual accountability, beginning with self-checking, followed by review from senior staff, and culminating in the formal issue of final information.”

Moving Forward 

When asked what excites them about the year ahead, the team consistently spoke about growth, learning and the chance to take on new challenges. Many highlighted opportunities to deepen their expertise, get involved in larger and more complex projects, and build new working relationships across the wider Wallace Whittle network. 

This enthusiasm mirrors Wallace Whittle’s own plans for the future. Beyond our Glasgow office, we’re continuing to strengthen our presence across the UK with carefully managed growth in our England offices, including London, Leeds, Birmingham, Warrington and Manchester. This expansion is designed not only to bring us closer to our clients but also to create new pathways for collaboration and career development for our people. 

With a stronger team, expanded sector expertise, and new perspectives already shaping the way we work, the next year promises to be one of continued progress and opportunity for both our people and our clients. 

We’re always on the lookout for talented individuals. If you’re interested in pursuing a career with Wallace Whittle, visit our career page – Careers at Wallace Whittle

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