Driver Group

Driver Group plc (the Group) is the holding company incorporated in the UK (company no: 3475146) of a trading group comprising Driver Consult, Driver Consult nv, Driver Consult Oman LLC, Driver Consult (UAE) LLC, Commercial Management Consultants and North Gate Executive Search. Driver Consult is the principal trading subsidiary in the Group and provides the construction industry with a commercial and dispute resolution service. Driver Consult nv is a Belgian registered company used to engage staff who are based in Europe.  North Gate is an executive search and selection practice which combines the experience of both the Construction and Executive Search industries.

Services

Driver Consult

Driver Consult specialises in the provision of commercial and dispute resolution services to the construction industry.

The construction industry is one of the largest sectors in the UK economy, representing about 6 per cent of gross domestic product. With an industry of this size there are often disputes where the outcome is material to the parties concerned.

Driver Consult is able to deliver its services at any stage of a dispute and its services include:

• advising on whether there is a claim for claimants;
• advising on whether there is a claim for respondents;
• the preparation and defence of claims;
• negotiation and settlement of claims;
• advising on strategy for adjudications and on alternative methods of dispute resolution, such as mediation, conciliation and expert determination;
• providing staff to act as expert witnesses;
• providing support to those involved in disputes being considered for resolution within arbitration or court proceedings;
• sitting as adjudicators, mediators and arbitrators.

At present, almost all of Driver Consult’s turnover is derived from the provision of services in relation to contentious matters. However, Driver Consult also offers a number of non-contentious services which include the following:

• the commercial management of construction and engineering projects;
• the planning and programming of construction and engineering projects;
• the provision of pre-contract services designed to highlight risks and reduce disputes, such as the preparation of tender enquiry and contract documents, advising on the pricing of tender documents, carrying out feasibility studies and advising on the appointment of contractors;
• cost managements; and
• risk analysis and management.

Projects on which Driver Consult has provided its services include:

• design, build, finance and operate schemes to build or upgrade roads;
• the construction of schools and hospitals;
• PFI schemes;
• high-rise, multi-use, city centre property developments; and
• the construction of nuclear, petrochemical, gas turbine power and water and sewage treatment plants.

Time spent on projects can vary from one day to several years.

Driver Consult nv

Driver Consult nv is a Belgian registered company and was set up to give the Driver Group a presence in Europe. The vast majority of work in Europe, however, is now dealt with by Driver Consult from its Northampton office. Driver Consult nv is therefore used as a vehicle to engage staff who are based in Europe.

North Gate is an executive search and selection practice which combines the experience of both the Construction and Executive Search industries. Their team recognises the specific challenges and opportunities construction businesses face and this allows them to deliver a service which fully engages clients within their network at senior level.

Scope of Operations

The Group provides its services through a network of offices in the UK including the head office in Rossendale and operates from other offices in Edinburgh, Teesside, Birmingham, London, Northampton and Bristol. The Group also conducts business in Europe, managed from the Northampton office, and has opened an office in the UAE to provide commercial and project planning services to employers, contractors and consultants in conjunction with international organisations.

Strategy

The Directors believe that there are good opportunities to expand both the Group’s UK and overseas operations. In the UK the Directors intend to:

• maintain and develop the Group’s relationships with the larger construction companies;
• strengthen the Group’s presence in the UK, particularly in London, the south-east and the south-west;
• increase the Group’s market share in non-contentious work and in PFI projects; and
• take advantage of dispute work which may arise out of major construction projects.

Overseas, the Directors intend to:

• strengthen the Group’s presence in the UAE by establishing commercial and project planning services on major projects in conjunction with international organisations; and
• continue to improve the profitability of the Group’s activities in Europe.