Ultimate Access Scaffolding: access to success

For this edition of our Families in Scaffolding feature we are shining the spotlight on Assessed Members of the Scaffolding Association, Ultimate Access Solutions Limited (UAS), whose rags to riches story has resulted in them becoming the go-to specialist scaffolding company to the TV and film industry, amongst many other things!

L ee Graham, founder of UAS, left the army in his late teens which is when his younger brother, Micky, introduced him to scaffolding as a career choice.

With the goal of becoming a business owner early on, Lee embraced the opportunity of working for a supportive boss of a ‘one lorry’ company to quickly become a competent scaffolder, whilst also taking on additional responsibilities to develop his business skills.

Lee has gone from taking the risk of investing his last savings on a truck he couldn’t drive, to running a thriving business with a turnover in excess of 3 million pounds, over 30 workers and a fleet of 10 lorries.

It began in 2013 when a 24-year-old Lee, with the support of his then future wife, Lauren, took the leap and bought a truck with the money they had been saving to buy a home together.

Determined not to let the small problem of not holding a driving licence prevent him from chasing his dreams. Lee initially enlisted the help of his father-in-law to be to collect the truck from Manchester and bring it back to London then paid people to drive the truck to jobs for him until he passed his diving test.

Despite this not very cost-effective start, Lee soon showed a flair for the scaffolding business, and it was not long before his growing reputation meant there was a need for more space and support, which is when his family stepped up.

Lee explains:

“My mum Debbie, my stepfather Brian and brother Micky all came on board. They all gave up their jobs to join me and I am eternally grateful that they all took such a huge leap of faith in me. My dad, a HGV driver, also stepped in from time to time to drive the lorries.”

Stepfather Brian commented on the early times: “I did question my sanity on many occasions when getting up at 4.30 in the morning to go to a cold yard with only a container for company!” This early faith of his family has certainly paid off, since its humble beginnings, UAS has grown exponentially.

Over the years many other family members have joined team UAS, including Great Uncle Jeff becoming a valued member of the Yard team, and a number of cousins undertaking various roles. Though family means more than just blood relatives at UAS, as the ‘Best Man’ to one another at their respective wedding’s, Danny Comerford (UAS Supervisor) is very much a part of the family too.

However, it is the expertise of the latest family recruit has helped UAS expand into new sectors of the industry, as Lee explained:

Lee Graham, founder of UAS

IMAGE LINE UP IN FRONT OF THE LORRIES FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: LEE (UNCLE), MICKY (BROTHER), BRIAN (STEPFATHER), BAILY (NEPHEW), DEBBIE (MUM), LEE (OWNER), JEFF (GREAT UNCLE)

“In 2020, a chance remark to my Uncle, who is also called Lee, about how UAS needed some commercial support as it took on larger contracts was a ‘sliding doors’ moment. He was preparing to take a career break so the timing was ideal, he is now our Commercial Consultant, and provides the corporate guidance to the business.”

Since inception, it has always been Lee’s strategy to continually reinvest into the business and overtime, UAS have secured new clients, serviced new sectors, gained a very loyal client base and have earned themselves a positive reputation for service delivery and their professional approach.

With its London presence, UAS is well located for the opportunities that the capital and South East provides and when asked where he sees UAS going, Lee stated:

“The strategy of UAS remains scaffolding at its core, and Health and Safety as its primary focus, but it is not setting itself any limitations as to where the business could develop next.”

UAS’s focus on Health and Safety is clearly demonstrated with the list of accreditations they hold, which include, but is not limited to; being Assessed Members of the Scaffolding Association, ConstructionLine Gold, CHAS Advanced, RISQS (Railway Industry Supplier Qualification Scheme) and FORS silver accreditation.

When asked about working with family members Lee commented:

“Everyone agrees that whilst it was excellent to have that bond and trust in place, there was definitely a period where everyone was learning their roles and responsibilities. Running a business is a daily cycle of obstacles to overcome and key decisions to be made, but ensuring that when the workday ends family time kicks in has always been a consistent theme.”

Lee’s mum, Debbie, added:

“Our patience and tolerance of one another was challenged in the beginning.”

The only non-family member in the management team, Operations Manager, Gary Christie, who joined in 2019, could see the benefits of working within a family business:

“It’s great knowing that everyone is pulling in the same direction and has a common goal. Having the trust to make decisions autonomously and know that they are supported makes my role enjoyable.”

Lee concluded:

“I am the first to admit that the journey has been a been a steep learning curve, but it would not have been possible with the unyielding support of family who today form the backbone of the business, both from an operations and office perspective.

Next year will see our 10-year anniversary, and whilst it will be a time of celebration, we have no intention of resting on our laurels. We have continuing work in other sectors opening up, a whole new set of contacts and the addition of complementary services adding to our portfolio.

I would love to welcome further family involvement and create an organisation that keeps challenging itself to maintain the high standards that we have already set. UAS has benefitted hugely from the loyalty and commitment of my family so far but I also acknowledge the role played by those non-family members who have joined with their expertise.”

UAS’s journey highlights that with a strong family support network, anything is possible, from the courage of one young couple risking their savings to the thriving and dynamic business it is today, the outlook looks encouraging for UAS as it embarks on the next leg of its impressive journey.

FIND OUT MORE: www.uas.ltd

READ ABOUT ONE OF UAS’S RECENT MEDIA INDUSTRY PROJECTS: www.accesspoint.org.uk/uas-progressing-in-the-spotlight

National Scaffolding Week

It brings us great pleasure to announce that the first National Scaffolding Week (NSW) will take place between the 26th and the 30th of September 2022. NSW is a one of its kind event – bringing a much-needed platform to the scaffolding and access industry for the first time to help raise the profile of careers and achievements within the sector.

NSW provides the opportunity to shine a light on the diverse and wide range of career options and skills training available within the sector and inspire a new generation, or those looking for a new challenge, to take up a role within the scaffolding industry.

Not only will NSW promote scaffolding as a viable and rewarding career option for those from all walks of life, but it will also provide a platform on which to highlight some of the great achievements of the organisations and individuals already operating within the sector and showcase best practice, innovation and determination.

Get involved

There are plenty of ways you can get involved with NSW whether you’re currently working within the sector, are looking to change careers or are just about to embark on your first role after leaving school – there’s something for everyone.

During the course of the week, NSW will be bringing you awards, competitions, access to a wide range of educational resources and a first-hand look at what it’s like to work within the industry.

To keep updated with everything that’s happening during NSW, sign up to the newsletter: www.nationalscaffoldingweek.com

Nominate your Scaffolding Star

There are some incredibly inspiring, resilient and dedicated people in the scaffolding and access industry, if you know of someone who deserves to be recognised for their efforts, show them your appreciation with a nomination in our Scaffolding Star awards.

We’re looking for the absolute stars of the scaffolding industry, those that have gone over and above in their roles to exceed expectations, break down barriers and help raise the profile of the industry while still continuing to carry out their day to day job.

Join the conversation

NSW wouldn’t be possible without you. We’ love to see everything you get up to during NSW on social media, by using the hashtag #ScaffWeek, you can join in the conversation and we’ll be able to engage and share directly with your content.

26th-30th September

We have created a handy social media toolkit for you to download which includes images, logos and some ideas to get you started on social media as well as details of our social handles and some other handy social media tips!

By tagging us on the relevant social channel we can share your posts and engage directly with you.

Don’t forget!

One last thing – don’t forget to sign up for the newsletter! We’ll send regular updates up until NSW to keep you updated with all the latest news and events planned for the week.

By signing up to the newsletter you’ll also be amongst the first to hear about the competition criteria as well as details and deadlines for nominating your Scaffolding Star.

To sign up for the newsletter visit: www.nationalscaffoldingweek.com

Two members of the Scaffolding Association, Creator Scaffold Design and Temporary Works Consultants Limited (Associate Members) and Rowland Scaffold Co Limited (Assessed Members) have been working together on a complicated and impressive project in Sheffield City Centre.

S heffield City Council are currently undertaking a huge redevelopment project called the Heart of the City, a part of which includes the construction of a new 156-bed Radisson Blu Hotel on Pinestone Street.

Construction experts McLaughlin & Harvey have been tasked with the demolition of the existing Victorian-era building and constructing the new steel-frame structured hotel in its’ place. With one major stipulation, the building façade must be preserved.

Creator and Rowland, both of whom are highly respected experts in the scaffolding industry, worked together to create an impressive retention system that supported the full masonry façade along Pinstone Street as well as partially along the access lane to the rear courtyard.

The façade was retained horizontally at 1st, 2nd and 3rd floor levels and the mansard roof was to be demolished. In addition, part of the façade had a recess from the 1st floor upwards, with the ground floor remaining constant with the rest of the building.

Tube and fitting scaffold was used for the retention, and over 300 tonnes of kentledge in the form of IBCs were required to support the façade, while the rest of the building was demolished and a new steel-frame structure was constructed.