Director, Dougall Baillie Associates, East Kilbride
What does the company do?
Independent engineering consultancy
www.dougallbaillie.com
Company history
After 40 years the company was subject to a management buyout and is embarking on its 5th generation of ownership
Turnover
£3.9 million
Briefly outline your working day
I am lucky enough to live only 15 minutes’ drive from the office. Not much thinking time. I work from around 9am to 6pm. I review emails over breakfast, so I know if there are any urgent matters to address before I get into the office. We have the flexibility to work from home, but I find the office to be a far more collaborative environment. We are social animals after all.
What are the biggest challenges facing your business right now?
We have a great portfolio of loyal clients and a high calibre workforce of experienced engineers. I feel that we could be more aggressive in terms of winning more work and diversifying into other sectors, but our growth is being stifled by an industry skills shortage. Recruitment consultants simply don’t have experienced staff in our sector.
What should be done to overcome these challenges?
We have made a conscious effort to focus our recruitment on apprentices. Both technical and graduate apprenticeships. We take on school leavers and enable them to pursue a career while earning a salary. It really is a win-win.
Has the Scottish Government called it right on taxes?
Growth is stagnant and public services are clearly struggling. Taxes are a necessary evil.
Is the Labour government helping or hindering your business? Does it need to change course?
For us, the impact of Labour government policy is relatively indirect. Infrastructure and housing policy in Scotland are devolved matters, meaning we are more directly influenced by decisions taken by the Scottish Government and local authorities, albeit within funding envelopes set by Westminster.
That said, UK-wide tax and labour policies have a tangible and immediate effect on our business. Rising staff costs are being driven by increases to the minimum and living wages, alongside higher employer National Insurance contributions. These measures directly influence employment decisions at a time when operating costs continue to rise but procurement opportunities and fee levels do not.
My concern is less about the need to raise revenue and more about how it has been done. Labour would have been better served by being transparent and upfront with the public. Rather than introducing a series of smaller, incremental “stealth” tax increases, a clear 0.5p–1p rise in income tax would have spread the burden more fairly across society, without undermining business efficiency, constraining growth, or discouraging employment.
Do you think this is the right time to call an independence referendum?
No. We need a period of political stability. There has been too much turmoil over the past two decades.
Has Brexit impacted on your business?
At the time, yes. Our clients were nervous about change. We don’t really work in the international market so the largest impact on our industry is in the increased costs for construction materials from overseas.
Would you support plans for a workplace parking levy?
Absolutely not. We need to encourage employment and office attendance / collaboration. Anything that might reduce productivity in a country where growth is stagnating should be avoided.
Do you use public transport?
Whenever I can, but it’s not practical for my commute.
What do you drive? Is it petrol or electric? What would make you switch to electric?
100% electric. All the directors of DBA are 100% and over 20% of the staff have taken advantage of an incentive scheme to move to 100% electric.
What are your short- and long-term goals?
Short term: support the new DBA management team to grow and develop the business.
Long Term: Retire in a few years’ time and spend more time in the countryside and travelling. Also, working on my golf handicap.
Do you favour a four-day working week?
Not really. I do support our flexible working policy with a nine-day fortnight. DBA has also introduced an early finish on Friday.
What is your company doing to support the green agenda? Have you increased or decreased your commitment?
We are implementing ISO14001; we also commissioned an Energy Efficiency Assessment and Carbon Baseline Assessment to target the improvements that would provide the most effective carbon reductions. We are seeking quotations for photo-voltaic panels on the roof and replacing our fossil fuelled heating system with an electric equivalent.
We incentivise staff to move to electric vehicles and operate a Cycle to Work scheme.
Are you a purpose-led company? If so, how?
Yes, we are a purpose-led company. Our purpose is simple: to deliver outstanding results for our clients while fostering a supportive, collaborative environment for our staff. We succeed by working together, staying true to our values, and ensuring both clients and staff feel valued.
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