Kirtanlal Scaffolding & Formwork has announced an exclusive partnership with leading UK-based safety supplier Leach’s, marking a major move to enhance scaffolding safety standards across the Middle East and India.
The agreement will see Kirtanlal become the exclusive regional distributor of Leach’s full product portfolio, including its flagship BIGBEN® range and globally recognised brands such as 3M and Stabila.
The partnership is set to deliver a new level of access to premium scaffolding PPE, height safety systems, and specialist tools across the GCC and Indian construction sectors.
Bringing together two respected names in global construction supply, the collaboration aims to meet growing demand for trusted, certified safety gear amid rapid infrastructure development and challenging site conditions across the region.
Together for a Safer Tomorrow
The partnership between Kirtanlal and Leach’s brings together two companies driven by a shared commitment to improving safety across the built environment.
In just three years, Kirtanlal has expanded from a single base in Dubai to 15 locations across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, and India. The family-run business has quickly established itself as a trusted name in the region, renowned for its uncompromising commitment to safety, quality, and service.
Its supply of Grade 50c galvanised KT-Lok Cup Systems and high-grade aluminium formwork supports some of the Middle East’s most ambitious construction projects.
Leach’s, meanwhile, brings over 100 years of industry expertise. What began as a small store in London has grown into a globally recognised brand, supplying safety equipment, tools, and accessories to more than 80 countries.
With a strong presence in scaffolding, construction, oil and gas, and industrial sectors, Leach’s is widely respected for its reliability, innovation, and deep understanding of site safety.
Now united, both companies are working together to deliver proven safety solutions to the region’s rapidly evolving construction landscape.
Growing Demand for Durable PPE
With the Middle East and India experiencing a major construction boom, the need for robust, high-performance safety gear continues to rise. Challenging conditions and ambitious architectural developments have made durable, reliable PPE more essential than ever.
“This partnership will allow customers to enjoy the benefits of Leach’s exceptional and globally recognised products at market competitive prices with quick delivery times,” said Charles Edwards, CEO of Kirtanlal Scaffolding & Formwork.
Kirtanlal will supply a wide range of Leach’s safety solutions, including:
Lightweight safety helmets and harnesses
Fall arrest and height safety systems
Tool tethering and lifting kits
Rescue and recovery equipment
Full PPE solutions for scaffolding professionals
A Shared Mission: Safer Together
Branded under the joint message ‘Safer Together’, the partnership reflects a mutual commitment to improving safety outcomes for scaffolding and construction workers across the region.
“Kirtanlal shares the core values at the heart of Leach’s – to improve the safety and efficiency of the scaffolding industry,” said Grant Harris, Sales Director at Leach’s.
“This partnership highlights our joint dedication to ensuring scaffolders across India and the GCC have access to safe, certified, and industry-leading equipment with fast, reliable delivery.”
With Kirtanlal’s strong regional network and Leach’s product leadership, the partnership is expected to have an immediate impact on site safety standards and product availability across the Middle East and Indian construction sectors.
For product enquiries or to request a copy of the Leach’s safety catalogue, please contact: [email protected]
Scaffolding and formwork expert PERI has showcased its latest stair access solutions at Rail Live UK, featuring a hands-on demonstration of the PERI UP system designed to enhance safety and speed on rail infrastructure projects.Held in Stratford-upon-Avon, the two-day event attracted rail professionals from across the country. PERI, invited by engineering services provider Mabey Hire, joined the firm on its stand to exhibit how its modular scaffolding system integrates with temporary bridge structures used during rail works.The PERI UP system is commonly deployed to provide safe pedestrian access when permanent routes are closed for maintenance or upgrades. Designed for quick assembly and maximum safety, the stair access solution is particularly well suited to the constrained and high-risk environments typical of railway sites.“It was a well-attended event that clearly highlighted the value of access systems like PERI UP,” said Stephen Parker, Senior Sales Engineer at PERI. “The system provides safe, unobstructed access, which is crucial for infrastructure projects, especially on live rail sites.”The demonstration also featured the integration of PERI UP with Mabey Hire’s Pedestrian BeamBridge, demonstrating how the two systems can be combined to create safe and efficient footbridges in challenging environments.In addition to product demonstrations, PERI took the opportunity to engage visitors on the importance of certified scaffolding training, particularly in rail, where safety compliance is vital. The company is continuing to roll out its specialist Public Access System, first launched earlier this year at the bauma trade fair, offering scalable solutions for higher footfall areas.The Rail Live UK event is a key fixture in the transport infrastructure calendar, providing suppliers and contractors with a platform to showcase innovations that support the safe delivery of major rail projects.
With the scaffolding industry at a pivotal point of change, ScaffMag sat down with Mark Parkin — newly appointed Strategic Director of the Scaffolding Association — to explore his remarkable journey, his vision for the future, and why now is the time for the industry to think bigger, act smarter, and work closer together. From humble beginnings to global influence, Mark’s story is a powerful testament to the values that continue to shape scaffolding today.
Growing up in Whitby, North Yorkshire, Mark Parkin never planned to spend his life in scaffolding. His dream was to become a cabinet maker, crafting timber into something lasting and beautiful. Working with wood, creating objects with meaning—that was the life he envisioned.
Fate, however, and a hard conversation with his scaffolder father, set him on a very different path.
Mark vividly remembers the day that changed everything. After mentioning he’d be applying for a woodworking job “next week,” his father asked a simple but profound question: “Where will you live until then?”
What followed was a conversation that would stick with Mark for the rest of his life—a sharp reminder of responsibility, gratitude, and growing up. His father spoke about the years spent supporting Mark through thick and thin, about the 12 days he spent by his son’s bedside after a near-fatal hit-and-run accident at the age of five.
“There was an easy way to learn things, and a hard way,” his father said. “Sometimes you have to learn the hard way to find the easy way.”
The next morning, Mark walked for over an hour through the rain to meet John Crosby, a family friend, at Whitby Golf Club. A tap on the shoulder, a short conversation, and a job offer. Soaked to the bone but filled with a new sense of purpose, Mark returned home—and into the world of scaffolding.
That long, wet walk marked the beginning of a journey that would shape the rest of his life.
A Brotherhood Forged in Steel
From his first lift to executive leadership roles, Mark’s career has been built on three core values: respect, pride, and purpose.
“This industry teaches you to stand tall, literally and metaphorically,” he says. “Every gang is a brotherhood. Every scaffold, every job, you earn your stripes.”
The early days were tough, but they were formative. Mark learned the trade the traditional way—boots on the ground, shoulder to shoulder with the old-school grafters who didn’t just build scaffolds, they built standards.
It wasn’t just a job. It was a culture. A code.
Respect was earned, not given, and every mistake was a lesson you carried with you. It’s a foundation that’s never left him, no matter how high he’s climbed.
Mark worked his way up through the ranks: advanced scaffolder, supervisor, operations manager, managing director, CEO. But it wasn’t just titles he collected—it was a deep, nuanced understanding of the industry and its people.
“You can’t truly lead an industry like this unless you’ve lived and breathed it,” he reflects. “When you’ve hauled tubes in freezing rain, when you’ve built structures in impossible conditions—that’s where real leadership is forged.”
Along the way, he developed a leadership philosophy he now calls the LUST Mindset: Listen, Understand, Structure, Teach.
It’s a simple yet profound approach that starts on-site, not in the boardroom.
“You start by truly listening,” he explains. “Then you work to understand, not assume. Only then can you build real structures—whether that’s scaffolds, systems, or teams. And finally, you pass it on. You teach. That’s how the industry grows.”
Lessons from the Hard Way
Mark’s story isn’t a glossy highlight reel. He openly discusses the mistakes, setbacks, and lonely moments that have shaped him.
When he launched his first business, he admits, he did it without a mentor, without a strong support system, and without fully understanding what was ahead.
“I was full of energy and ambition,” he says. “But passion alone isn’t enough. You need structure, strategy, and people you can trust.”
He describes those years as the toughest and most educational of his life. It’s why, today, he champions the importance of mentorship, and why he sees experience, not perfection, as the real marker of wisdom.
“If I ever write a book, it’ll be called For All the Wrong Reasons,” he laughs. “Because I learned all the right lessons the hard way.”
These hard-won lessons have become the bedrock of his leadership style: open, honest, and relentlessly focused on lifting others up.
A New Chapter: Strategic Director
When the opportunity arose to become Strategic Director of the Scaffolding Association, Mark didn’t hesitate.
It was more than a new role; it was a natural extension of the work he was already doing through the Global Scaffolding Alliance—an international movement bringing together industry leaders from the UK, Europe, Australia, North America, the Middle East, and beyond.
“What started as conversations has become a true global network,” Mark says. “No matter where you go, the challenges are the same: training gaps, safety standards, respect for the trade. But the solutions come faster when we work together.”
Now, at the Scaffolding Association, Mark is determined to bring those global insights home. His goal? To future-proof the industry by making it more connected, more innovative, and more respected.
“This isn’t about lifting structures. It’s about lifting people, standards, and opportunities.”
His passion is palpable. Whether he’s talking about smarter training, streamlined systems, or building a new generation of leaders, Mark’s vision is bold and clear.
Reforming Training, Reshaping the Future
One of Mark’s first priorities is reforming the training system.
While the UK’s commitment to safety and structure is strong, he argues that scaffolding training needs to be faster, sharper, and more aligned with the realities of today’s sites.
“We’re still teaching techniques that scaffolders will never use again, like putlog scaffolds and raking shores,” he says. “We need to focus on practical, site-ready skills. Every hour in a training centre should bring a scaffolder closer to being promotion-ready, not just site-ready.”
It’s a call for action, not criticism. Mark sees this as one of the greatest opportunities to attract and retain new talent—and to ensure scaffolders feel confident, respected, and future-proofed from the start.
“If we modernise training and build clear career paths, we’ll not just fill the skills gap. We’ll create a new generation of leaders.”
Innovation as the Lifeblood of Progress
Mark is a strong advocate for embracing innovation, and not just for innovation’s sake.
He points to game-changing technologies like ScaffPlan (for digital scaffold design) and Rise VR (for immersive training) as examples of tools already reshaping the industry.
But he’s quick to add: Innovation isn’t just about tech.
“It’s about mindset,” he says. “It’s about asking: is there a smarter, safer, better way to do this?”
He sees the Scaffolding Association playing a crucial role in helping companies, big and small, access the tools, training, and support they need to innovate confidently, not fearfully.
“Technology should feel like an upgrade, not an obstacle,” Mark says. “And if we get it right, it’ll lift everything—safety, profits, morale, and respect for the trade.”
Building a Stronger, More Connected Industry
Looking ahead, Mark’s vision is rooted in collaboration.
Over the next 12 months, he hopes to help break down barriers between organisations, unify scaffolding professionals under a shared mission, and create new pathways for small and independent firms to thrive.
“I want scaffolders to feel seen, supported, and proud,” he says. “Because when you lift people, you lift the whole industry.”
And when asked what he hopes his impact will be?
Mark doesn’t talk about awards or legacy projects.
He talks about opening doors.
“I’m not here to carve my name into the side of a building. I’m here to create momentum—to open the door wider for the next generation.”
Advice for the Next Generation
If he could give one piece of advice to someone starting out in scaffolding today, it would be simple:
“Find a mentor. Surround yourself with people who will challenge you, guide you, and believe in you.”
And never stop learning.
“In scaffolding, you never stop learning. Stay curious. Stay humble. And always ask questions. That’s how you build a career—not just with tools and tubes, but with trust, teamwork, and time.”
It’s a philosophy born from the rain-soaked streets of Whitby, tempered on windswept sites across the UK, and now set to shape the future of scaffolding for years to come
This year marks a major milestone for Scaftec Ltd, the Glasgow-based scaffold design consultancy that has quietly grown into one of the UK’s most respected engineering firms in its field.
With three decades under its belt and a footprint stretching from Scotland to Saudi Arabia and as far as New Zealand, Scaftec is celebrating more than just longevity—it’s celebrating leadership, resilience, and world-class engineering.
Founded in 1995 by Bill Ferguson, Scaftec emerged just as the UK construction industry was preparing for the introduction of CDM regulations. “I’d started with SGB in 1984 and realised the incoming CDM regulations would mean that anything outside of a standard scaffold would now require strength and stability calculations,” Bill recalls. “Most large contractors had in-house engineering, but the smaller independents didn’t. I believed there was an opportunity to provide that service.”
What began as a niche offering quickly gained traction. “I had no clue it would grow to the extent it has,” says Bill. “Most of our early clients came through referrals or people who knew me. If you provide a good service, the word soon gets out. A large percentage of those original clients are still with us today.”
From Tracing Paper to Finite Element Analysis
Scaftec’s journey has mirrored the evolution of the industry itself. “We’ve gone from T-squares and razor blades to CAD and finite element analysis software,” says Bill. “Back in 1995, scaffold design wasn’t even really considered a proper branch of engineering, now, it’s essential!”
The introduction of the Work at Height Regulations in 2005 was a watershed moment. “That really elevated the demand for design,” he says. “We went from 5 to 13 staff in four years” and operated from 3 offices in Glasgow, Aberdeen and Perth, Australia. Today, the firm employs 10 engineers from the Glasgow-based office and supports clients as far west as Trinidad, as far East as New Zealand and South to Bird Island Antarctica; we are pretty much worldwide.
Among Scaftec’s proudest achievements are the people it has developed. “We’ve helped eight engineers earn their first and upper class degrees while working here. That feels like a real legacy,” We continue to bring in young engineers who work and gain their degree part-time, with two new staff starting in the summer of 25.
Services That Set the Standard
Scaftec specialises in end-to-end scaffold design and temporary works engineering, producing detailed drawings, structural calculations, inspections, and on-site consultancy. From offshore oil platforms to historic castles, their portfolio covers:
Industrial & Energy: Formwork and falsework design, access scaffolds for refineries, nuclear facilities, and energy-from-waste plants.
Building & Infrastructure: Façade retention, temporary roofs, bridge scaffolds, and shoring systems.
Events & Media: Custom structures for concerts, sports events, TV and film—including a notable project for Mission Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One.
Bill recalls the unique challenge that a movie blockbuster presented: “We did the initial design for a motorcycle ramp in North Scotland where Tom Cruise rides off a cliff. Then they changed the location to Norway. We had to re-check everything for environmental loads. Only after the film was released did we find out which movie it was!”
Not Just Complicated—Complex
Some of Scaftec’s most challenging work happens on the world stage. A standout example? “In 2020, we designed a scaffold for a 52m cooling tower in Saudi Arabia. The client initially wanted a freestanding scaffold, but it wasn’t feasible. We explored multiple options with all end users, before ultimately tying in at every node.”
Scaftec used finite element analysis to model the structure, presented solutions to a visiting delegation of PhD client engineers, and oversaw the build across four site visits. “In the end, both the client and end user were delighted,” says Bill. “That’s the kind of result we aim for.”
Leadership With Legacy
Behind the technical precision is a close-knit leadership team with over 170 years of combined scaffolding design experience. Bill, still actively involved, is supported by Technical Directors Grant Keys and Gary Ferguson—Bill’s son, who joined the company in 2007 and earned his MEng in Civil Engineering while working at Scaftec.
“Grant a Chartered Civil Engineer, C Eng MICE, joined us from Jacobs in 2008, and both him and Gary are well placed to take the business on when I decide to retire fully,” Bill adds with a grin. “They think I’m retired now!”
The team fosters a hands-on, collaborative culture, regularly working alongside contractors and site teams to integrate scaffold designs into wider project workflows. This practical approach, backed by technical authority, has earned Scaftec an excellent reputation and fostered long-term relationships across industries and continents.
Building the Future on Experience
Scaftec’s story is one of early insight, adaptive growth, and an unwavering commitment to quality. From the days of ink pens and tracing paper to 3D modelling and global projects, the company has helped scaffold design gain the professional recognition it deserves.
“Our mission remains simple,” Bill says. “To provide technically compliant, easily understood, and cost-effective design solutions for all temporary works and access needs.”
Now in its 30th year, Scaftec continues to shape the future of scaffold engineering—proving that smart design, delivered by skilled people, will always stand the test of time.
One of the UK’s major oil refineries has gone into liquidation, putting more than 400 jobs directly at risk and sparking concerns over fuel security.
Lindsey Oil Refinery in Killingholme, Lincolnshire, which employs around 440 workers, has been forced to shut down after its parent company entered liquidation following mounting financial losses.
The move also threatens the future of hundreds more employees across 200 sites operated by the refinery’s owner, the Prax Group.
The company had recently appointed administrators in an effort to stabilise operations, but escalating losses at the refinery proved insurmountable.
Trade unions have reacted with alarm and are now calling on the government to take urgent action.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham described the refinery as “strategically important” and warned that inaction would be a grave mistake.
“The government must intervene immediately to protect workers and fuel supplies,” she said.
“Unite has constantly warned that current policies have left the oil and gas industry teetering on a cliff edge. Instead of listening, ministers have put their fingers in their ears. We need a short-term strategy to keep Lindsey operating and a long-term plan to protect all oil and gas workers.”
Lindsey Oil Refinery, which began operations in 1968, has long played a critical role in the UK’s fuel supply chain. Over the decades, it has also been a major employer of skilled scaffolders, supporting thousands of jobs in construction and maintenance through long-term contracts and shutdown periods.
Its closure could have wider implications for domestic energy resilience, as well as for the wider industrial workforce.
Local leaders have expressed concern about the economic impact on communities in North Lincolnshire, where the refinery has been a cornerstone of employment for generations.
More updates are expected as efforts continue to secure jobs and assess the future of the site.
South Molton Scaffolding Ltd has successfully completed a technically challenging temporary roof and access project at Petroc College in North Devon, overcoming significant logistical and structural hurdles to deliver the scheme ahead of schedule and on budget.
The project involved the design and installation of a fully encapsulated Haki roof system over Block A of the live college site. The work was essential to allow for the safe removal and replacement of defective Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) within the roof structure.
Operating within a live educational environment brought unique challenges from the outset. The site was small and congested, with tight delivery windows and the requirement to maintain access to surrounding buildings, footpaths, disabled ramps, and occupied ground-floor offices.
South Molton worked closely with the project’s structural engineers and Raptor Scaffold Design & Consultancy to overcome site limitations. Key measures included:
Ground investigations to assess load-bearing capacity
Installation of compacted hardcore for kentledge
Redesign of beam supports due to hollow roof parapets
Steel RSJ installation to take the lateral load and tie back to the internal structure
Due to the client’s request to avoid disturbing the metal cladding, traditional drill-in ties were ruled out. Instead, the team adopted a combination of increased kentledge, buttresses, and band-and-plate ties at low level to the surrounding brick walls. This was further reinforced by an internal birdcage scaffold tied back to the external scaffold via opened windows, enhancing overall stability.
Safety, Speed and Sensitivity
A key driver in the project’s success was the use of the Haki system roof, which allowed 80% of the structure to be pre-built at ground level and craned into place. This greatly reduced work-at-height exposure for operatives. UK System Scaffold Hire provided materials and support for the roof system.
The team also installed a Haki staircase to reroute pedestrian traffic, and an integrated drop chute scaffold extension was constructed to accommodate 26-yard skips for demolition debris. All lifting operations were carefully scheduled at weekends to avoid public disruption.
Despite an initial two-week delay caused by design changes, South Molton’s team accelerated works on-site, ultimately completing the job four days ahead of the original 12-week programme.
Recognition for Excellence
The contract was delivered on time, within budget, and even included a number of free-of-charge client extras. Feedback from Pearce Construction and Petroc College’s head of maintenance praised the team’s professionalism, planning, and consideration throughout.
Raptor Scaffold Design, responsible for final sign-off, commented: “Overall, the scaffold has been built to a very high quality and the scaffolders should be commended for the work they have put in.” The site received 100% marks on health and safety inspections, including those conducted by the principal contractor and South Molton’s own external advisors.
Reflecting on the achievement, South Molton Scaffolding’s Director said: “My job is to understand the brief, win the work, and plan it – but it’s the guys on the ground who brought this complex project to life. Their professionalism and determination were key to its success.”
The project marks a standout achievement for the Devon-based contractor, showcasing both technical capability and an unwavering commitment to quality.
One of the largest private sports memorabilia collections in Scotland is set to go under the hammer in a major charity auction launching this week.John Horne, Managing Director of JR Scaffold – part of the JR Group – is parting with more than 130 prized items from his personal collection to raise funds for two causes close to his heart.The move marks the 30th anniversary of his business, which he started in 1995 – the same year he began collecting memorabilia. What began with a few signed football shirts from charity events has since grown into a remarkable collection featuring some of the biggest names in global sport.The collection is now being auctioned in aid of the Emmie Smillie Foundation and MND Scotland.Among the standout lots are signed shirts from Graeme Souness, Ronaldo, Brian Laudrup and Lionel Messi, as well as autographed photos of Diego Maradona, Peter Shilton and George Best. Items signed by Muhammad Ali, Tiger Woods and Masters champions also feature in the auction.Horne said: “This journey started with Old Firm memorabilia and a desire to support good causes. Over the years, I’ve been lucky to acquire pieces from some of the biggest names in sport. Every item holds a story, a moment, a memory, and while it’s emotional to part with them, this feels like the right time.”He added that the auction is not just about raising money, but about honouring the people who helped him and his business over the years.“The auction will raise funds for the Emmie Smillie Foundation, in memory of a wonderful young girl whose father, Andy, helped us start our company. We’re also supporting MND Scotland in tribute to Aaron Souttar. His parents, Jack and Heather, are dear friends.”The auction, run by Blue Parrot Events Group via their Event PAL platform, will take place online for two weeks from Monday, 30 June.To view the items and place a bid, visit:weareeventpal.com/jrgroup– donations to the charities can also be made directly via the site.
Altrad, one of the world’s leading industrial services providers, has collaborated with specialist supplier Leach’s to upgrade helmet safety for its scaffolding workforce.
The partnership has led to the development of a new high-specification helmet, designed to offer better protection, comfort and visibility on site.
The rollout follows months of design improvements, testing, and collaboration between Altrad’s Technical Authorities and Leach’s, the well-known UK-based firm with over 100 years of expertise in height safety.
Altrad, which employs more than 65,000 people globally and operates across 59 countries, first approached Leach’s in September 2023 seeking a better-styled helmet tailored to the needs of its scaffolding teams.
By May 2025, Leach’s had finalised a revamped design incorporating an upgraded chin strap, improved performance features, and a more modern look aligned with Altrad’s branding. The company worked directly with the helmet manufacturer to ensure the final product met strict safety standards.
Adrian Tennent, Global Sales Manager at Leach’s, said: “This is what it’s all about – identifying a problem and then finding a solution.
Leach’s was born with the ethos of making scaffolding safer, so this is where our passion lies. We feel very privileged to be part of such a rewarding and exciting project and thank Altrad for approaching and trusting us.”
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The newly developed helmets have now been distributed to Altrad’s UK scaffolding workforce, with initial feedback reported to be extremely positive.
The move is part of Altrad’s broader commitment to safety and innovation across its global operations, and further cements Leach’s position as a trusted partner for height safety solutions worldwide.
A new Construction Skills Mission Board meets for the first time today with an ambitious aim of attracting 100,000 new workers into the industry.
Co-chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner and Mark Reynolds, Co-Chair of the Construction Leadership Council, the board will spearhead efforts to tackle labour shortages and future-proof the workforce.
The board will work closely with industry leaders and government departments to develop initiatives that encourage recruitment, training, and long-term careers in construction. It will focus on five key areas:
Boosting confidence to employ and invest
Creating clear pathways for new entrants
Improving access to training and support
Developing more effective funding mechanisms
Promoting construction as a reliable and rewarding career
The Department for Work and Pensions has also announced that Jobcentres will strengthen their links with construction employers, helping jobseekers access work experience and tailored placements.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said: “The construction sector is on the frontline in our mission to grow the economy, giving more people skilled jobs building the homes and infrastructure we need.
The Construction Skills Mission Board will make sure we hear directly from employers about what their skills needs are, driving our reforms and helping more young people achieve and thrive.”
From August, a new wave of construction foundation apprenticeships will launch as part of the government’s Youth Guarantee initiative. Backed by an additional £40 million in funding, the programme will offer practical, early-career training in trades such as bricklaying and carpentry.
Mark Reynolds said: “The Construction Skills Mission Board represents a new partnership between industry and government, working together to find industry-led, collaborative solutions to delivering the workforce of the future.
I am delighted that we have seen such strong support from Ministers and some of the most important leaders in our sector – and I hope everyone will play their part in the delivery of this essential mission.”
The board’s launch follows growing concerns across the construction sector about an ageing workforce and increasing demand for skilled labour.
The new initiatives are designed to bridge the skills gap and build a pipeline of talent equipped to support the UK’s long-term housing and infrastructure goals.
A team from Scottish scaffolding business JR Scaffold has raised more than £36,000 for a cancer charity after completing the West Highland Way.
Led by managing director John Horne, five team members walked the full 96-mile route from Milngavie to Fort William in aid of the Emmie Smillie Foundation. The six-day trek raised £36,850 for the charity, which supports cancer patients and care facilities across Glasgow and the Central Belt.
The group included father and son James Martin Sr and Jr, Gordon Davidson, and Andrew Simpson. They took on the challenge to mark JR Scaffold’s 30th anniversary and to honour a long-standing connection with the Smillie family.
“This was about much more than just completing a walking challenge,” said Mr Horne. “It was about honouring a remarkable young woman, supporting families facing cancer, and giving something meaningful back in our anniversary year.”
The Emmie Smillie Foundation was set up in 2016 in memory of Emmie Smillie. Her father, Andy Smillie, who founded the charity, praised the team’s efforts.
“Their drive, their heart, and their endurance have helped raise vital funds and awareness for the work we do in Emmie’s memory,” he said. “Every pound raised will go directly to supporting cancer patients and families when they need it most.”
Mr Horne said the trek was challenging but the group was kept going by “camaraderie and a sense of purpose”.
Founded in Govan in 1995, JR Scaffold is part of The JR Group and now employs around 200 staff. The business has grown to become one of Scotland’s largest construction firms, working across the country and in northern England.
Mr Horne added: “Community support and giving back have always been part of our DNA. I couldn’t be prouder of what we’ve done together – and we’re just getting started.”
“It was a well-attended event that 
When the opportunity arose to become Strategic Director of the Scaffolding Association, Mark didn’t hesitate.
It was more than a new role; it was a natural extension of the work he was already doing through the Global Scaffolding Alliance—an international movement bringing together industry leaders from the UK, Europe, Australia, North America, the Middle East, and beyond.
“What started as conversations has become a true global network,” Mark says. “No matter where you go, the challenges are the same: training gaps, safety standards, respect for the trade. But the solutions come faster when we work together.”
Now, at the Scaffolding Association, Mark is determined to bring those global insights home. His goal? To future-proof the industry by making it more connected, more innovative, and more respected.
“This isn’t about lifting structures. It’s about lifting people, standards, and opportunities.”
His passion is palpable. Whether he’s talking about smarter training, streamlined systems, or building a new generation of leaders, Mark’s vision is bold and clear.
“We’re still teaching techniques that scaffolders will never use again, like putlog scaffolds and raking shores,” he says. “We need to focus on practical, site-ready skills. Every hour in a training centre should bring a scaffolder closer to being promotion-ready, not just site-ready.”
It’s a call for action, not criticism. Mark sees this as one of the greatest opportunities to attract and retain new talent—and to ensure scaffolders feel confident, respected, and future-proofed from the start.
“If we modernise training and build clear career paths, we’ll not just fill the skills gap. We’ll create a new generation of leaders.”
Scaftec used finite element analysis to model the structure, presented solutions to a visiting delegation of PhD client engineers, and oversaw the build across four site visits. “In the end, both the client and end user were delighted,” says Bill. “That’s the kind of result we aim for.”
