From Channel 4 to championing talent – Leeds firm sets out a blueprint for growth

Here, we speak to the man at the helm of the business to find out more about its journey to success.

“As soon as you enter the heart of Leeds, it’s the first thing you see. An incredible achievement for our business that tells a story I’ll be sharing for the rest of my days,” says Andrew Hudson, managing director of Leeds-based building services company, Ivegate.

Andrew is talking about the new regional headquarters of Channel 4 at the Majestic in Leeds city centre. Ivegate was chosen to design, supply, install and commission all mechanical and electrical (M&E) services for the building. High-profile clients aren’t new to Ivegate. The firm works with household names in the renewable energy sector and retail too. For example, recent projects include a nationwide IT infrastructure upgrade for a well-known retailer undergoing works at over 550 of their stores across the UK and a current contract with Durham County Council on a landmark project supported by the European Development Fund. This involves a major refit of its Morrison Busty Depot with the design and installation of a solar farm and battery storage system, electric vehicle charging points, thermal upgrade of buildings and a smart grid to support its transition to zero carbon.

So, what drives such strong demand for Ivegate’s services? Quality, innovation or perhaps delivery? Andrew explains: “The marketplace is packed full of quality, first-class delivery and new technologies. It’s none of these that makes you different to your competitors, it’s about value. Value for money and value in relationships. Few of the organisations that we’re working with now are new clients, we’ve worked with them before, and they want to work with us again because of the strong working partnership that we develop with them from the outset.

“90 percent of our workforce is homegrown, from Yorkshire, and every employee shares the same values and is committed to developing a well-respected, hardworking business. One of the greatest challenges we face is the skills shortage across the industry. That’s why we’ve wholeheartedly committed to developing our workforce and equipping them with the knowledge and skills they need to do their job. We champion talent across Ivegate, whether that’s bringing on five apprentices a year across several roles from business support to on-the-tool jobs or continued investment in existing employees. Employees who genuinely live and breathe Ivegate because of the fast-tracked career progression, experience and opportunities we provide.”

With over 80 employees, Ivegate is a business that’s been built upon integrity, transparency and accountability. Andrew explains: “Our growth has been organic because the business has a flat structure, and every employee is invested in the success of Ivegate. We’re not perfect and, like everyone, we do make mistakes. The difference is how we deal with mistakes and fix problems – that’s when people’s true colours are shown. Our approach to putting things right, overcoming challenges regardless of fault and getting the job done is what sets us apart.”

And that philosophy is certainly reaping rewards for the fastest growing business in Yorkshire. Ivegate has more than doubled its turnover since its last financial year and based on current projections and a strong order book, will exceed expected growth for the firm’s next financial year.

Stephen Radcliffe, a partner in our construction and engineering team, said: “Ivegate has done exceptionally well to secure delivery of all M&E services for such a flagship project, Channel 4’s new home in Leeds. Its achievements are fantastic and demonstrate the calibre of quality, skills and experience we have right here in the region. Yorkshire is home to world-class construction businesses and they bring a lot of investment and economic prosperity to the region. Ivegate thoroughly deserves its ranking as this year’s fastest-growing, privately owned business.”

Despite being a relatively young business, Ivegate continues to go from strength to strength. The company has recently purchased and moved into 20,000 sqft premises in Morley to support expanding operations with an onsite prefabrication shop, materials handling, storage and distribution facilities to improve efficiency of operations and provide further value to clients.

Andrew adds: “Yorkshire businesses aren’t given the credit they deserve sometimes. Looking at this year’s Fastest 50 growing businesses, the combined total turnover is £1.75billion – that’s absolutely phenomenal and should be rightly recognised. Yorkshire people, and our businesses, have got an infinite passion for graft. We’re not afraid of hard work – and it shows. As someone once told me, there’s no shortcut to success – you’ll get out of it what you put in. And that’s truly synonymous with businesses born and bred in Yorkshire.”