DANIEL BROWN RYAN GOURLAY

Daniel Brown is celebrating 10 years at Mackenzie Construction. He first started at the business in April 2013 as an apprentice/ trainee. Daniel progressed into his current role as a site agent through development working on multiple clients and projects. As he undertook these different projects and worked alongside new clients, his skills continued to grow to allow him to progress in his career.

When asked about his career highlight so far at Mackenzie Construction Daniel could pick just one. His first highlight was being part of the team delivering the Kirkcudbright AJAX project ahead of programme completion to a high standard highly regarded by the client. Daniel’s second highlight was being part of the Crinan Canal Project. His team installed three sets of lock gates to a high standard, amongst additional works being carried out to this same high standard, allowing the canal to reopen on time and as planned.

Daniel describes himself as being lucky in his career as he had several mentors during his time at Mackenzie Construction. When he first started back in 2013, he worked under Robbie Maclean who showed him how the business worked as well as key pieces of information when managing sites such as quality and HSE. He also tells of working alongside some of the best foremen over the years at Mackenzie Construction who helped his development from a construction and site perspective. Daniel currently works under Gavin Chesney and has been for the last five to six years, and believes his mentoring has been crucial in his career development.

Daniel’s fond mentoring experience at Mackenzie Construction, made him want to be a mentor also. He currently mentors various engineers from trainee level to senior contract engineers, with the aim to assist them and develop their careers and overall skillsets.

The overall family feel Mackenzie Construction has given Daniel over the last 10 years has been the reason for his contentment in his career. He has really enjoyed the people he has worked alongside over the years and is truly grateful for the vast opportunities to work on interesting projects and clients, as well as developing great relationships within the business and with clients.

Ryan Gourlay has been with Mackenzie Construction for 10 years. He began his journey with us as a general operative and progressed to ganger before finishing up in his current role as foreman.

During Ryan’s first few years at Mackenzie Construction he spent his time completing jobs in the civil engineering realm and in more recent years he has completed jobs in waterproofing. Ryan has picked up many other jobs wherever he was required over his 10 years with us, including machine and operator tickets.

We asked Ryan if he could talk to us about his career highlight with Mackenzie Construction and he couldn’t pick just one. He talks of having taken part in and completed many successful jobs with Mackenzie Construction. Ryan spoke of Mackenzie Construction as a company being his career highlight due to the support and kindness they have given him throughout a period of illness and coming back to work. He is grateful for the help and generosity provided by MCL and how his colleagues were so inclusive and welcoming upon his return.

Ryan tells of how Mark Wilson has shaped where he is in his career. Mark was there to help Ryan in his career progression and allowed him to advance into his current role as foreman. Mark’s mentoring to Ryan was crucial in both his professional and personal development. Ryan is keen to follow in Mark’s footsteps and aims to provide that same level of mentorship onto the 7 men who are in his team. He wants to offer his personal and professional experiences to help shape their careers.

Ryan’s favourite thing about working for Mackenzie Construction is the whole structure of the company. He loves how at every stage of your career journey there are quality training opportunities provided. Ryan fondly talks of how helpful Mackenzie Construction and his colleagues are and gives thanks for their support through the challenges and triumphs over the last 10 years.