Survey Design Consult sets out growth plans through 2026

The business, which operates from offices in Glasgow and London, currently employs 14 staff and says it intends to continue growing its team during 2026 to support an expanding workload across the UK.

SDC’s latest plans follow a period of sustained development, during which the consultancy has increased both the scale and complexity of projects it delivers.

Since then, the practice has continued to broaden its client base and project portfolio, working across sectors including healthcare, infrastructure, education, hospitality, residential, leisure and commercial refurbishment.

Founder Craig Mackenzie said the business has reached a point where it can plan further ahead with confidence as there is a clear pipeline of work.

“We’ve grown steadily over the past few years, and that growth has been driven largely by repeat work and referrals,” he said. “That gives us the confidence to invest in the team and plan the next phase of the business.”

Team growth and recruitment

A key element of SDC’s plans is continued investment in people. The consultancy expects to recruit additional staff during 2026, with growth aligned to workload rather than fixed targets.

Mackenzie said the focus is on strengthening technical capability and ensuring the business can continue to deliver consistently as it expands.

“We’ve been careful to grow at a pace that allows us to maintain quality and support our staff properly,” he said. “As demand increases, we’re looking to bring in people who add real value to the team and help us move forward.”

The business has also continued to invest in internal systems and digital tools to support collaboration between its Glasgow and London offices and to ensure consistency across projects whilst improving the overall design offering.

Expanding UK presence

While Scotland remains the company’s base, the establishment of a London office has enabled SDC to support a growing number of projects outside Scotland. The move has allowed the consultancy to work more closely with national clients and design teams, particularly on projects that span multiple locations.

Mackenzie said the dual-office model has become an important part of the firm’s growth strategy.

“Having a presence in both Glasgow and London allows us to respond more effectively to client needs and support projects wherever they’re located,” he said. “It’s been a natural step as our workload has evolved.”

Project pipeline and future outlook

In recent years, SDC has become increasingly involved in technically demanding schemes, including distillery projects, energy-led upgrades and major refurbishment works including significant works on the Forth Road Bridge. The consultancy says this reflects a growing level of trust from clients and long-term project partners.

The business reports a strong pipeline of work extending into 2026, providing a platform for further expansion while maintaining a measured approach to growth.

Looking ahead, SDC says its priority is to continue building on the foundations already in place, rather than pursuing rapid expansion.

“Our aim is to keep developing the business in a way that’s sustainable,” Mackenzie said. “That means continuing to invest in our people, continually improving our design offering, maintaining close relationships with clients and ensuring we’re well positioned for the next stage of growth.”

With two established offices, a growing team and an expanding portfolio of work, Survey Design Consult says it is well placed to continue its development through 2026 and beyond.