Шотландская строительная компания VQ Contracts планирует удвоить выручку до 10 млн фунтов

A Scottish building company operating across the UK is on track to double its turnover. The Glasgow construction firm is targeting £10 million turnover in the next two years as it prepares to grow its workforce and scale its operations across Scotland and the North of England. VQ Contracts, based in Hillington, expects turnover to reach a record £8.5m this year, up from £5m in 2024, and is recruiting for roles across project management, joiners, plasterers, roofers, ground workers and general labourers. The expansion follows a move into larger commercial and critical infrastructure contracts, including work at Viking Wind Farm in Shetland, as well as interior works on commercial spaces for Scottish Gas Networks and hospital projects in Glasgow. Founded by Tommy Easton in 2018, VQ Contracts has grown from a local contractor into a business with a growing footprint across Scotland and the North of England, with teams regularly delivering projects in Liverpool, Leeds and Shetland. Read More: - 330 new homes approved for Keepmoat’s NorthBridge Glasgow scheme - Scottish builder reaches 'milestone' in £50m Mactaggart & Mickel deal A spokesperson said: "As the business continues to grow, it is investing in its future. Alongside introducing new estimating and live reporting systems to improve project delivery, VQ Contracts is rolling out a new fleet of vans and working towards reducing its carbon footprint. "The company has also invested more than £100,000 in training and certification to launch a specialist fire safety division." Mr Easton said: "We’ve grown by continually pushing ourselves to take on bigger and more complex projects, while making sure we continue to deliver for our customers and invest in our people. “What’s particularly exciting now is the scale of the opportunities in front of us. We’re growing the team across project management and the trades, expanding our capabilities and taking on larger contracts across Scotland and the wider UK. "I’m especially proud that this growth is creating opportunities for people to build long-term careers with us. As we scale, we want to make sure we’re building a team that can grow with us. “Having someone like Derek who understands how construction businesses operate has been really valuable. His insight has helped us think through our plans and make informed decisions about the next stage of growth.” VQ Contracts, which now employs 51 people and delivers up to 400 projects each year, has switched its banking to Bank of Scotland and secured a £750,000 Invoice Finance facility to support its expansion and provide greater flexibility to manage the upfront costs associated with larger contracts. Derek Weir, relationship director at Bank of Scotland, said: "Construction businesses often face significant working capital challenges as projects become larger and more complex. “Tommy and the wider team are a fantastic Glasgow success story, and it’s been brilliant to be part of this chapter of their growth.” Small firms face 'death by a thousand cuts' in Scotland Given that the last theatre performance I attended featured a fairy godmother, a choc-ice at half time and community singing at the end, I hesitate to offer any comment on the cultural pinnacle that is Edinburgh’s Festival season. As very much the outsider looking in, though, what I can say is that it seems there’s also drama off-stage, with the “Glasgow versus Edinburgh” row blowing up over the comparative responses to the major fires on Union and Princes Streets. There have been claims of favouritism for Glasgow (with a £10m fire recovery fund) over Edinburgh (with a £5m fund). Equally, there have been counter-claims defending the Scottish Government response. Read more: Of course, major incidents like these – and others such as the Glasgow School of Art fires and the extent to which the building can be restored – cause tremors throughout their communities. The disruption can be significant, and for a small business it can mean tens of thousands of pounds wiped from their takings overnight, through no fault of their own. MONEY HQ 💷 What Japan’s falling currency could mean for borrowing costs This article appears as part of the Money HQ with Ben Stark newsletter. Japan, one of the world's largest economies, is struggling with a falling currency. The yen has been weakening against the US dollar, reaching its lowest level in almost 40 years. It’s also fallen against other currencies, including the pound. While that may sound like a problem confined to the other side of the world, it has become significant enough for both Japan and the US to step in and try to stabilise the situation. Global investors as well as central banks are paying attention. It is a case of “what happens in Japan may not stay in Japan...” A prolonged decline in the yen has the potential to affect global bond markets, as well as borrowing costs for mortgage rates in the UK.