Six Months On: Progress and Partnership
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
