After fifteen years of working for two major players in the construction materials sector, Stuart Gready reflected on the industry he had devoted most of his professional life to. Stuart had challenging questions about the company’s environmental impact and was not satisfied that these important factors were taken into account.
He suggested they set-up a sustainable development department and shared his vision on how this could work, but the company poured cold water his ideas, so he voted with his feet and left the organisation 8 years ago.
Since then, Stuart has been running his own business, OCL Regeneration Ltd in Dagenham Dock, which specialises in sustainable material solutions. With the support of Angel Investors, his own investment and a team of experienced construction specialists, Stuart has built-up a good reputation and loyal client base for his company.
Like most businesses Stuart wanted to expand, but was having difficulty finding new markets. Then he met Jean Bean from Knowledge Dock, who approached him as part of the Barking & Dagenham Enterprise LEGI programme she was working on to support enterprises in Barking and Dagenham:-
“Jean advised me on how to raise our profile by putting me in touch with local government, Chamber of Commerce and Dagenham Dock Networking Club. She also highlighted the importance of marketing and gave me a few key pointers.”
Stuart was able to access LEGI funding to help him raise awareness of his company and in-turn create new business leads.
Stuart is now embarking on an Academic Consultancy project, through Knowledge Dock, with Darryl Newport, the Director of the Sustainability Research Institute (SRI). Darryl and the SRI have helped Stuart to meet key opinion formers and decision makers. Stuart said:-
“Darryl helped us integrate into the community and local borough councils, which was a good way of gaining referrals. We have established relationships with some of his most influential contacts and now they understand what we do and see the importance of our work. Darryl also keeps me informed on recent government policy.”
OCL Regeneration’s message of sustainability and innovation is also helping his business get a foothold in large-scale projects in the Thames Gateway area:-
“Darryl highlighted some of the local schemes where sustainability is high on the agenda, and knew about the big companies in the area who would be interested in our service. As a result, we have established a profitable collaboration with an Olympic contractor and other companies are seeing what we do.”
Darryl, with the support of the SRI, is continuing his consultancy work with Stuart, with more ideas in the pipeline. Stuart said:-
“I want to start more experimenting and putting innovative schemes through the University of East London (UEL) laboratory.”
He spoke of his experience:-
“It was great working with Knowledge Dock. Jean was very efficient and always did what she promised and I really related to Darryl who was equally as passionate as me about the environment and making a difference. I would wholeheartedly recommend the support I’ve received at Knowledge Dock.”
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