“I wanted to work somewhere where I could progress.”
Meet: Ryan Simpson – Contracts Manager, Soft Landscaping & Fencing
Affectionately called ‘Mr M Squared’ by colleagues, Ryan’s worked “almost every role” on-site and is as passionate about the business’s growth as his own. He says he’s been able to learn and progress with M Squared and start to reshape views of the sector: “We’re known for our professionalism at M Squared, and our investment in kit and use of technology. Where, typically, landscaping isn’t seen as skilled as other trades, we’re not what’s often expected. That’s what’s got the business to where it is. I’ve got to contribute to all that.”
Ryan has steadily risen through the ranks at M Squared: “I’ve worked almost every role there is,” he says.
After joining in 2017, he worked as a labourer in each of the teams for fencing, soft landscaping, and maintenance. In 2019 he was promoted to foreman for the maintenance team, before moving to be foreman for his current team in 2020. He was promoted to contracts manager in April 2021.
“I’ve always had support and mentoring in my roles, so I was able to learn and progress.” he reflects. “It’s a really good place to work, there’s a very positive culture where everyone will help each other, and there’s opportunities for growth.”
For Ryan, that growth has included qualifying as a Site Supervisor (SSSTS) and Site Manager (SMSTS) and achieving an SCQF Level 10 in Construction Site Management: “M Squared put me through all of those. I wanted to work somewhere where I could have that progression.”
This career trajectory has matched M Squared’s: “The business’s growth has been incredible, we’ve gone from a small yard which we quickly outgrew, to investing in machinery, vans, yard space and offices.”
“There’s flexibility – I’m not doing the same things all the time.”
“I always wanted to work outdoors; a 9-5 in an office was never going to suit me. Although I’ve ended up in the office now, for me I’ve got the right balance. There’s flexibility to be on site with the guys, as well as to deal with the clients I’ve built relationships with. I like that I’m not doing the same things all the time.”
Though Ryan remains ambitious about his continued career progression, his focus now is on his team: “My challenge now is recognising what the next move is for my guys. We don’t want to just keep them at the same level. Like my fencing foreman, he’s gone from second man to lead man to foreman.”
He leads 16 small teams of between 25-30 operatives at a time – eight for fencing, headed up by foreman, Dawid, and eight for soft landscaping, led by foreman, Douglas.
Ryan knows he can still learn just as much from them, as they can from him: “I think it’s important to be surrounded by people who can do better on site than I can – they’re the ones doing the work, day-in day-out, so I trust them. Like Douglas, he’s very experienced. There’s no value in me sitting behind a laptop telling them how to do things.”
“My management style is probably more carrot than stick. I’ve found that if you have flexibility one way, you get it back. I recognise people have things going on outside of work, so if someone needs to finish early one day, I know I’ll get that back if we need to work extra to get a job over the line.”
“Our clients see that flexibility, too – they recognise that we’ll go over and above to ensure projects are completed on time and in budget.”
That flexibility, coupled with trust, is key to all that Ryan does: “Trust is massive here. I’ve got trust in my guys, that with their experience and qualities, they’ll deliver. Then I’ve got trust from the clients, from us being up front with people, and always trying to find solutions.”