AMID strong investment in infrastructure in Scotland, we hear from a consultant who has developed a fast-growing business which helps firms monitor the associated impact on the environment.

Name:

Simon Knott.

Age:

33.

What is your business called?

Naturally Compliant Ltd.

Where is it based?

Glasgow.

What services does it offer?

Naturally Compliant was established to provide environmental consultancy resource to the construction sector. We focus on achieving compliance with current legislation and advising on possible enhancements. We provide a range of roles, including acting as an Environmental Manager or Environmental Clerk of Works.

The company works on large, multi-million-pound infrastructure projects such as windfarms, roads and major utility upgrades.

To whom does it sell?

We have a diverse range of clients: ranging from planning authorities and developers through to principle contractors and heavy civil engineering companies. We work throughout the UK and look to sell to big utility companies such as SSE, United Utilities and Scottish Water, as well as construction firms such as Balfour Beatty and Farrans.

What is its turnover?

£390,000 in the year to last month - a seven-fold increase on the previous year. We are predicting £500,000 for this year.

How many employees?

Five full-time, though the firm uses the services of several specialists, such as ecologists, archaeologists and contaminated land consultants.

When was it formed?

I set up the company in 2016 as SRK Enviro – my initials – but I discovered that there is a multinational mining company with a very similar name, which also deals in environmental matters. The company was rebranded as Naturally Compliant last month.

What were you doing before you took the plunge?

Working for one of the multi-national multi-disciplinary consulting firms as an Environmental Clerk of Works in the far north of Scotland.

Why did you take the plunge?

It was a happy accident – it wasn’t a conscious decision. I was due to start as a contracting environmental consultant on a large nuclear facility, but during the long process of security clearance I was asked to provide resource on the largest onshore wind farm under construction in Europe at the time. Due to my knowledge and approach on the wind farm things began to develop and a business was formed.

How did you raise the start-up funding?

As a consultancy you have minimal startup costs, essentially it can be you and a computer. As such, there didn’t seem to be many funding options available and because of this, everything the company has achieved so far has been through utilising its own resources.

What was your biggest break?

When the Principle Contractor project manager of the wind farm recommended my services to colleagues working on a 12 kilometre pipeline project in Cumbria. This then expanded to include an additional 80km of pipeline. The environmental management/reporting parameters on these projects are the most robust I have worked with.

What was your worst moment?

Transitioning from colleague to MD. That’s been the hardest thing. I had no previous experience as a manager and learning how to be the boss is still an ongoing process. I’ve had to learn to look at the bigger picture, especially when there are big decisions to be made. It has caused me to doubt if I was doing the right thing, but I know it needs to happen.

What do you most enjoy about running the business?

The freedom it gives me. As a small company, Naturally Compliant can explore new ways of operating, how to make things more efficient, what new strategies to employ and how to get the best out of emerging technologies.

What are your ambitions for the business?

The company is focused on infrastructure projects at the moment, but there are massive opportunities in residential housing.

Part of the rebranding was to reflect our ambitions to move into business environmental compliance and permitting. I want to help companies comply with their permits and improve their ratings with the statutory authorities. Companies in sectors such as waste, distilling and the storing or moving of hazardous substances have environmental risk associated with their business. We are also looking to offer environmental auditing services to ISO 14001.

What are your top priorities?

I have no business development experience so I’m looking at systems and structures and, potentially, people to come in and help develop relationships with clients. I want to improve our recognition with an aim of attracting the best people.

What could the Westminster and/or Scottish governments do that would help?

Enforcement of existing environmental regulations could be a lot better. Currently, the penalties for non-compliance are minimal in real terms and enforcement is inconsistent. So, there appears to be little incentive for companies to take the legislation seriously.

What was the most valuable lesson that you learned?

Not to take things personally. I have to keep in mind that it’s a business and I’m selling to other businesses. Not everyone wants to speak to you or reply to your mails, and contractual disputes can arise.

How do you relax?

I like getting out into the country, playing rugby and keeping fit. I also really enjoy diving.