Tag: Glasgow Caledonian University

Festive Message from the team at Xburo

A roundup of another brilliant year for our company – thank you to everyone who has played a part in continued success. 

In 2025, we entered our 7th successful year, building on our company’s impactful growth. Reflecting on the year past and achievements, it wasn’t just engineering. Growth has been steady, thoughtful and strategic as we continued to build our team from within.

Starting with a trio of promotions for Jack Hannigan, Liam McAdie and John Duncan-Anderson as they each stepped up to take on the role as Senior Mechanical Engineers. Joe Viola was also promoted to Senior Electrical Engineer in recognition of the role he plays within the company.

Under the stewardship of our senior team – Thomas Brady, Michael Gribben, Ian Menzies and Andrew Lyons – we saw continued growth in our business. 

During 2025, we are delighted to be well embedded and collaborating on a number of frameworks across the UK. We have been appointed to framework agreements with Babcock, HIAL and SSE, and we are enjoying working with these organisations. 

The world of rugby and the world of business aligned this year with one of the most significant developments for Xburo being the appointment of Al Kellock, as a non-executive director. Al was approached to strengthen the performance of the team in an advisory role. He lent his expertise at our recent Away Day demonstrating what drives successful teams.

Under the mantra that individuals drive success but teams drive significance, Al like the whole team has been instrumental in bolstering the team’s performance and challenging the directors to drive a winning team. From our mechanical and electrical engineers to our financial controller, Caroline McAdam, and our office administration, Lauren Nelson, each member of our team is critical to the expert project delivery synonymous with our name; Xburo.

We were incredibly proud to see Josh McIvor take his next steps in his career through our apprenticeship programme which we launched. Recruited straight from school, Josh is now at Glasgow Caledonian University having graduated from North Kelvin College as he continues to learn and earn beside his colleagues.

Partnership was central to our strategy this year as we supported Glasgow Caledonian University’s School of Computing, Engineering and Built Environment through student sponsorships. Our scholarship programme provides financial support to help future engineers reach their potential while strengthening ties with the UK’s No. 1 Modern University, ranked in the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026.

And, of course sport, arts and charities continued to be supported by our engineers. Our commitment to amateur golfers Jayla Kepler and Megan Docherty continued within our sports sponsorship programme and GHK Rugby player Leo Finlay.

There were too many projects to mention, too many late nights and early starts, and teams throughout Scotland and the rest of the UK that helped us to delivery our expert project services.

Lastly, thanks to everyone who has been on the journey with us and to those who have worked with us, past and present, and to our clients who rely on our expertise to deliver their projects. We wish you a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year.

Apprentice Engineer Josh McIvor takes his next step in his career

Xburo recruited school-leaver Josh McIvor straight from school when he responded to an apprenticeship advert, beginning his journey toward a career in Mechanical and Electrical Engineering.

A love of maths and problem solving sparked his interest and through the support of his schoolteacher, Josh was successfully recruited onto our apprenticeship engineering programme.

Our programme has allowed Josh to learn and earn where he spent one day a week at North Kelvin College and four days in our offices or on sites learning from our team of experts.

Josh began as an apprentice in 2023 and successfully passed his HNC in Building Services. Now Josh has enrolled on the BEng (Hons) in Building Services at Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU), which is a four-year programme that will give him all the qualifications necessary in the industry.

Thomas Brady, Founder and Director of Xburo, said:

“As a product of an apprenticeship scheme (many years ago!), I am very proud of everything that Josh has achieved to date. He has mixed well with the team and flourishes under the pressures of our fast-paced and professional environment.

“I am an advocate of the apprenticeship training model as it is important that M&E consultancies like ours offer school leavers opportunities to enter the industry. Josh has been fully integrated into the team and has experienced the real challenges that our engineers take on.

“Supporting Josh in developing his career has been a team effort as each of our engineers have assisted him in his learning through practical advice and training support.”

Josh said: “Joining Xburo straight from school was a significant step, but it’s been an incredible opportunity. The apprenticeship programme has allowed me to learn on the job while studying, which really suits me because I enjoy practical problem-solving. Passing my HNC was a proud moment to share with my family, and now starting my BEng at Glasgow Caledonian University feels like the next big milestone. I now know that I really want to be an engineer and to keep building my skills and learning from others, and then I will see where my career takes me.”

Congratulations Josh from everyone in the team!

“Interested in following Josh’s path? Xburo’s apprenticeship programme reopens next summer—stay tuned for details!”

Rugby leader to share his expertise with Engineers as firm continues its expansion plans

Xburo is teaming up with Al Kellock to bring his leadership and high-performance skills to the growing engineering firm.

The Managing Director of Glasgow Warriors and a former Scotland captain will see him tackle the world of the engineering as he joins Xburo as a non-executive director.

Kellock was approached by Xburo to strengthen the performance of its team as it has seen exponential growth since its launch in 2018. The company has grown from two to twenty employees in that time.

The firm started by Thomas Brady and Michael Gribben first reported a lockdown boom in 2020 with contracts worth in excess of £100milllion and five years later, business is not slowing down with projects worth in excess of £300million in 2025.

Kellock’s appointment at Xburo sees him take up an advisory role where he will lend his expertise to the company on what drives successful teams as the firm continues to expand. His position will see him challenge directors to drive the team forward during this acceleration period.

Since taking over as Managing Director of Glasgow Warriors, Al has instilled a culture of a values-driven organisation with the motto whatever it takes leading the change on and off the pitch. This has led to an increase in self-generated revenue growth and a renewed approach for strategic investment.

He said: “The world of rugby and business are very much aligned. Individuals drive success but teams drive significance and grow collectively. Xburo has strong foundations as a company, and we want to build on this success as the company evolves and grows.

“Cultural and environments are crucial to the success of any team, and we see this in sport and in business. High performance allows team to keep pushing for success in a competitive marketplace and through my experiences, I will be working alongside the team to capture winning behaviours to allow the team and the company to adopt a culture of success by driving each other on to succeed.”

Xburo has a portfolio of clients throughout the UK and leads significant projects including acting as NEC3 supervisory at The Baird Family Hospital and The Anchor Centre and works on the multimillion development at Ocean Terminal in Edinburgh. Recent appointments have included a number of educational projects alongside Strathclyde Water Park as well as a significant major framework win with a major defence contractor.  

Director Michael Gribben reached out to Al Kellock to bolster the team’s performance and challenge the directors to drive a winning team.

He said: “Al brings with him business acumen and a winning desire. We see that the world of engineering and sport united in their aims to do whatever it takes to succeed. His appointment will challenge each of us to drive high performance to an exceptional level as we enter the next phase in our growth trajectory. Business and the power of sport are already in our foundations as an engineering firm that sponsors, supports and is committed to the challenging the status quo. At Xburo, our expertise sets us apart and our unique partnerships and perspectives have afforded us some great success in recent years. We want to continue to foster this and grow strategically through our alliances.”

The team has grown in size with 20 employees located throughout the UK with offices in Glasgow, Edinburgh and London. A recent recruitment drive for all levels is underway in mechanical, electrical and sustainability roles.

Trio of Promotions at Xburo and opening of apprenticeship scheme

Trio of promotions in Mechanical Engineering as Xburo relaunches its apprenticeship programme again.

We have a number of new promotions in our Mechanical Engineering department with Jack Hannigan, Liam McAdie and John Duncan-Anderson advancing their careers to become Senior Mechanical Engineers at Xburo.

Jack joined Xburo to work on a number of healthcare and defence projects, advancing his experience under the leadership of Thomas Brady and Andrew Lyons. He has worked on a number of our leading projects including various defence projects at HMNB Clyde and also healthcare projects with NHS Western Isles, Lothian and others.

Liam’s appointment was part of our strategic growth due to his wide range of experience within building services. Notable projects where Liam has played a pivotal role are Ocean Terminal, Edinburgh Quay and Primrose Lodge. He is also experienced in carrying out a wide range of technical due diligence for clients, including condition surveys, asset collection, planned preventive maintenance (PPMs) and dilapidations surveys.

John joined Xburo shortly after its inception and is a huge personality in the office. He has a background in mechanical and environmental engineering and has specialised in a number of school projects with the responsibility for maximising energy efficiency of electrical and lighting simulations within the buildings.

Michael A Gribben, director of Xburo, said: ““Promotions announced today reflect the strong performance of these individuals in bringing their expertise to Xburo and our clients. To see the growth of our engineers is rewarding and to advance their careers at Xburo is advantageous to our clients and to our business. This also presents us with an opportunity to recruit to bring in new talent as we see the progression of the engineers in our business.”

2025 has been a busy period for Xburo as we deliver on a number of leading projects having secured a significant framework win with an infrastructure organisation and various educational projects alongside Strathclyde Water Park.

We are recruiting for all levels in Mechanical, Electrical and Sustainability roles. We are also opening up our apprenticeship programme again for a trainee to join us from school.

There are few consultancies in Scotland and the UK that can offer exposure to the same workstreams that Xburo can offer between commercial real estate support, technical advisory and design.

If you are interested please get in contact with Michael, Tom, Ian or Andy.

Jayla Kelper, our sponsored amateur golfer, has been selected to represent Scotland at a tri-nations event in Ireland.

The school pupil from Clydeview Academy is one of only ten of Scotland’s rising stars to be chosen and one of four girls.

The announcement was made by Scottish Golf that Jayla will head to Ireland next month to face the host country and Wales in a tri-nations event on a course described by six-time Major winner Sir Nick Faldo as ‘the most challenging dunes in links golf’.

Jayla Kelper plays out of Greenock Golf Club and this will be a first for Jalya at a national level. The fifteen-year old has been supported by Xburo since 2023 as part of our sports sponsorship programme.

Xburo Director Michael Gribben said: “To be selected for a national team is an incredible achievement. She has a winning mentality and we have witnessed her drive, commitment and tenacity through our sponsorship and enjoyed her most recent success. We are proud to support amateur golfers and we wish Jayla a successful tournament – congratulations Jayla!”

Already Jayla has broken records by becoming the first junior girl to clinch the Greenock Golf Ladies’ Championship in 2024, having only taken up golf four years earlier after watching it on TV and deciding to give the sport a go.

Jayla is one of two golfers supported by Xburo including Megan Docherty from Bishopbriggs who is in the United States pursuing her dream of making it professionally.

Xburo’s work transforms the built environment and goes beyond the 9-5, and by supporting Megan and Jayla, we are making a positive impact on individuals and their ambitions.

At the event in April, the nations – Scotland, Ireland and Wales – will play each other twice over the course of the three days in a mixture of foursomes and singles matches.

Clare Queen, head of performance and pathways at Scottish Golf, said:

“This is always a great way for our juniors to start the season. I’m sure the matches against Wales and Ireland will be, as always, keenly contested and played in a great spirit. The boys and girls have been working hard over the winter period with their own coaches, but some of the team have been involved in the Scottish Golf programme working with the national coaches.

“These sessions in the regions and, for some, at a national training camp in Spain, are designed to help them with all aspects of their game so that when they step outside their comfort zone, they are ready to embrace new challenges.

“Travelling to compete on unfamiliar courses against new opponents is all part of the learning curve.

“We’re striving to give our most talented young players everything they need to reach their full potential and trips such as this one to Ireland will help them on that path.”

Xburo starts 2025 off with a series of new projects and announcements following a busy 2024 year. 

A Director’s update from Michael Gribben

Following a robust 2024 year, we look ahead to the next few months with plans to make significant announcements for Xburo in the year ahead.

2025 highlights so far include: Princess Alexandra Eye Pavilion in Edinburgh; as independent testers, led by Thomas Brady; appointed to complete 177 Bothwell Street fitout – one of the most sustainable developments in Scotland – led by Andrew Lyons; refurbishment and landlord works at G1 Building in George Square, led by Ian Menzies; and we continue to support the NHS partners and respective health boards across Scotland.

2024 highlights included:

• In London, a number of projects including Lloyds Avenue, where we completed refurbishments as well as portfolio conditioning inspections for acquisition

• Progress on Ocean Terminal in Edinburgh as Mechanical Public Health Engineers (MEPH) continued on this transformational project and the reimaging of the shopping centre, waterfront and community complex

• Baird Family Hospital and Anchor Centre in Aberdeen, a £261.1 million building development for NHS Grampian, we are providing supervisory and quality monitoring services

• Acquisition projects included the George Hotel in Edinburgh and design work 124-125 Princes Street, working alongside PMP & HK Surveying & Design LLP

• Our work at Coulport continues at the Naval base as well as a number of other projects around Glasgow and the West

• At Clyde Gateway and Buchanan Street we conducted technical due diligence

• Supported one of the biggest deals of 2024 with the acquisition of 122 Waterloo Street, comprising of 157,000 square-foot Grade A offices space let to Morgan Stanley

Across the offices, it has been a strong performing year and 2025 is not slowing down with encouraging signs in January.

Xburo continues to attract talent to the company with the appointment of Andy Lyons providing that steady, guiding hand as we continue to grow. Look out for our apprenticeship scheme opening up again soon to applicants ready to leave school and pursue a career in engineering.
 
We look forward to the months ahead with new framework wins that will announced shortly as well as a number of new project wins which we are starting with our industry partners.

2025 is underway with the year kicking off to a great start…more announcements to follow.

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Celebrating success at Glasgow Caledonian University as Xburo lends its support as an industry sponsorship donor 

Xburo supported the Annual Celebration at Glasgow Caledonian University’s School of Computing, Engineering and Built Environment.

This is the third year Xburo has supported the event which celebrates the best performing students and brings together industry leaders, students and staff to recognise outstanding achievements.

Xburo is proud to establish a partnership with one of the UK’s leading civic universities as an industry scholarship donor.

Andrew Lyons, Design Director of Xburo, attended the event to hand over the prize to the Best Level 3 Student Elliot Coyne who is currently studying an BEng in Electrical Power Engineering.

Elliot said: “Industry support is crucial to the success of students in finding work placements, making connections and taking the next step into the world of work. It was a great surprise to receive the award, and thank you to Xburo for the support.”

Elliot is one of a number of students that Xburo is supporting through the University’s scholarship programme with successful applicants expressing their gratitude for the profound impact which financial support lends to students juggling studying and working.

Previous award winners Xburo has supported in Electrical Engineering prizes are Graham Calder and Craig Minto.

Director Michael A Gribben said: “Our ambition has always been to strengthen our partnership working with the University, recruit the best mechanical and electrical engineers, and support the next generation in our industry. Our relationship with the University has grown since we started and we are proud to be supporting more students than ever to help them to realise their potential. It’s important to us that the industry give back to those who educate our future leaders.”

The celebration was hosted by Sarah McMullan, a Glasgow Caledonian University alumna and experienced broadcast journalist known for her work on BBC Scotland’s Reporting Scotland and The Nine. During the evening, Sarah led engaging discussions with graduates Mark Diamond, Georgia Milton and Chloe McAdam, each of whom exemplified the benefits of industry engagement during their university journey.

Professor Joanna Lumsden, Dean of SCEBE, said: “As one of the leading modern civic universities in the UK, we thrive on ideas, support innovation and value the importance of social responsibility and the Common Good. Our dedicated academics provide industry-aligned courses that deliver real impact and we are proud of the extensive partnerships that enhance student experiences and career outcomes. We also celebrate the formal recognition of SCEBE’s gender equality initiatives with the Athena SWAN Institutional Silver Award.”

Congratulations to all the prizewinners and good luck in your future.

Thomas Brady and Michael Gribben speak to Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU) as former students about lessons learned and their recent success

Alumnus of Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU) Thomas Brady and Michael Gribben spoke to the university and its students about xburo and their early careers.

The pair shared some insights into what it meant to study at GCU and what has driven them to succeed in their sector.

Recently named Best Small Consultancy of the Year at the Consultancy and Engineering Award 2023, the directors spoke to GCU about xburo’s offering as expert mechanical, electrical and sustainability experts with offices in Edinburgh, Glasgow and London and a reach across Scotland and the UK. The company also has an international connection with an Australian-arm based in Brisbane and Cairns.

Q&A – With Thomas Brady & Michael Gribben

How did your career start?

“My career started as a 16-year old, as an apprentice and I graduated from Glasgow Caledonian University in 1998. When I started off we were told it’s an industry where if you put the drive and commitment into it, you will succeed. It’s like everything else in life. The more you put in, the more you get out.

“And did I see myself being director of an engineering company, doing what I do now? Probably not. But at the end of the day, its like everything else. If you have the commitment and you put the focus into what you’re doing, then the world is your oyster. And it can be a fantastically rewarding career.” – Thomas Brady

Why did you choose to study at GCU?

“GCU has a really good reputation for the built environment long before I thought about going there. I always wanted to build something and contribute something to the built environment through creating something. I probably didn’t appreciate how important it was when I chose to go to GCU and I certainly couldn’t be where I am today without it, and having that strong knowledge of both mechanical and electrical systems.” – Michael Gribben

Any advice for GCU engineering graduates?

“Within industry, there is always numerous challenges and one of my main takeaways from being at university was how you approach a challenge. Every engineer will make mistakes. No one is immune to making mistakes. But the measure of a good engineer is how you respond to the mistake and how you come up with a solution because people will always remember how you did that.” – Thomas Brady.

“It’s important to recognise that there is a series of milestones and building blocks that you have got to achieve. What you have achieved at GCU is this wonderful foundation. What you’ve actually come away with is an understanding of how this works, how to write reports, how to communicate, and its all very important skills. But just enjoy what you do, be a sponge, soak it all up and learn all the time and you will move very quickly.” – Michael Gribben.