NEWS
Consultants set sights on Teesside
WORDS : DAVE ROBSON PICTURE : TOM BANKS
Mercury rising
A
thriving project management firm believes Teesside is on track for a bright future .
And to show its faith in our area , West Yorkshire-based Mercury 3 Consult – set up in 2017 by consultants with longstanding careers in project management and the rail industry – has expanded its business into Middlesbrough .
Frustrated by firms content to offer a “ one size fits all ” approach , Mercury 3 was created by friends Trevor Marshall , Alan Beattie and Ian Watson .
Believing every project is unique , they set about offering bespoke , tailor-made solutions for each client .
Specialising in project , programme and engineering management , they work alongside some big names , including Murphy , Amey and Network Rail .
For example , Mercury 3 is currently working on major infrastructure projects across the UK including the Transpennine Route Upgrade and Northern Powerhouse Rail .
With the likes of Teesworks promising huge opportunities for investment and growth , Mercury 3 felt the time was right to expand into Teesside .
And the man at the Teesside helm is passionate about making it a success – because he ’ s one of our own .
North-East regional director Paul Jeffers is a “ sparky ” by trade but has spent 30 years working for the likes of British Steel , ICI , in the Tyne shipyards , in schools and colleges and for multinationals , so his knowledge of industry is extensive – as is his contacts book .
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Latterly , he ’ s worked for several multinational organisations in senior management positions abroad and in the UK , accumulating a wealth of engineering , management and leadership experience .
But there ’ s no place like home , and he ’ s excited at the prospect of helping firms deliver their projects from Mercury 3 ’ s smart new office in Commerce House , Middlesbrough .
Paul told Tees Business : “ I think our tag line , ‘ People-driven project solutions ’, is fantastic – it sums up what we do .
“ We help clients deliver projects by adding value , experience and providing expert analysis , but always in a very tailored way . Basically , we will help them deliver their vision .
“ We work with each client , we manage their contracts , we help with their pricing , we do risk analysis , we do all sorts . I liken it to someone wanting to double the size of their house , but they don ’ t want all the hassle of finding an electrician , a plumber , a builder – we are all about solving clients ’ problems .
“ If someone says ‘ We ’ ll do the donkey work for you ’, a client is very likely to say ‘ Yes , please !’
“ We ’ ve never had an office on Teesside so for me , as a Teessider , to be back here at such an exciting time for our area is fantastic .
“ To go at this full steam ahead is a great opportunity .”
Brought up in Normanby , Paul , 45 , is married to Jill , and they have two children – Jack , 16 , and Lucy , 18 , with Lucy due to start a Teesside University course as
Mercury 3 Consult ’ s first apprentice . Bringing an infrastructure and transport specialism , the firm ’ s North- East team offers a variety of services to various industries , specialising in project integration , change management and programme and engineering management services .
But Mercury 3 also aims to support local charities and social enterprises , starting with a cause close to many Teessiders ’ hearts – the Zoe ’ s Place Baby Hospice in Normanby .
The firm has already backed Paul ’ s delayed Boxing Day Dip fundraiser , with more than £ 2,100 raised , and wants to do more in the future , including directors Ian Watson and Alan Beattie tackling the Great North Run on the hospice ’ s behalf .
Ian said : “ Mercury 3 Consult is passionate about developing a presence in the Tees Valley area .
“ We pride ourselves on supplying ‘ people-driven project solutions ’ to our clients . With this focus , we aim to bring employment and development opportunities into the local community .”
Paul added : “ We have an opportunity to build something special here – it ’ s an exciting time for Teesside .
“ Everyone has an opportunity to be part of making a fantastic legacy , I truly believe that , and we want to play our part .”
Visit www . m3consult . co . uk