Who we are

Fortem began as a small business with just 38 employees. 15 years later, we have expanded to become a well established company with over 1000 people.

People who care

Our Values

Our People

Our Performance

Making a Difference

number of apprentices currently in the business

management trainees currently in the business

80%

of our promotions are internal

19.6k

hours of work experience to local people per annum

£1.2m

invested in community activities last year

77%

staff satisfaction

Meet the Board

Mick Williamson

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Mick Williamson – Managing Director

I started my career in civil engineering before moving into specialised subcontracting for a number of years, eventually becoming the Managing Director of the largest highway maintenance contractor in Europe.

I joined Fortem in 2002 to head up and grow the newly formed social housing division of Willmott Dixon. Since then it has been a pleasure and an honour to watch the business and the people within it grow, from a total of 38 people at the start to over 1000 today. It is a journey of achievement we could never have realised without the commitment and sacrifice made by everybody in the business. Working side by side with such passionate and positive people has been the best experience of my career.

The thing that sets Fortem apart is the culture and values of the business and the people within it. This is a business that genuinely cares about both the people who work for it and the customers we serve. I look forward to the people in the business, from apprentices and trainees upwards, achieving their ambitions and aspiration. It’s a privilege to be part of such an incredible team.

Geoff Parkinson

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Geoff Parkinson – Business Solutions Director

I joined Fortem back in January 2004. The property maintenance sector was new to me having spent the last 13 years the General Manager of an industrial services company operating in the Oil, Gas, Power and Pharmaceutical sector.

To date I have held a number of roles within the business ranging from Operations Manager, Mobilisations Manager through to Director of Procurement and now Director of Business Solutions. My varied experiences have provided me with a unique and deep insight into the workings of our business.

My current job consists of leading a team of experts to develop and maintain our business systems, branch support networks and business processes to help Fortem to grow both its revenues and profits. I like to think of the business solutions team as being the creative engine of Fortem where all our projects and activities support the continuous improvement of our delivered services. I work hard to create stimulating working environments for our people. Environments which recognise the achievements of our people and help them to achieve the very best they can.

William Kay

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William Kay - Commercial Director

I joined the Board of Fortem as Commercial Director in January 2016. I have a background in both Construction and Services and have operated as Director with a number of sector leading organisations for over 20 years.

What attracted me to the business was the opportunity to join a group of highly capable and committed Directors who had been working closely together to establish and develop the organisation over its, then, 15 year history with the prospect of making a difference to its future development.

My role currently entails representing Fortem’s Commercial interests in addition to Business Development, Frameworks, Bidding and Estimating, Supply Chain and Technical Services.

I am a Professional Associate of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors and have a Master’s Degree in Project Management. When it comes to business, I place great store in acting with integrity and in upholding the values of Fortem which are fundamental to its future success.

Mark Gelder

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Mark Gelder – Director of Operations

I started my career as an electrical engineer, working on military RAF bases across the country, which gave me a great insight into the construction/maintenance industry. I joined Fortem in 2007 in my current post as Director of Operations.

I am the director responsible for operations of the business and also responsible for health and safety and sustainability.

My entire career I have formed strong relationships built on honesty and openness be it with our own people or clients.

The main reason I love working at Fortem is because of the investment and development we put into our people, whether it is through apprenticeships, management traineeships or developing people to achieve their aims and aspirations.

The feedback I regularly receive back from clients is that all our people have a ‘can do’ and ‘will do’ attitude.

Judy Hegarty

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Judy Hegarty – Finance Director

I joined the Fortem family in July 2007 following 10 years in the social housing sector. I am a professional associate of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants and have always worked within finance.

Whilst working in finance I have had various jobs including setting up contractual models, implementing controls and processes to improve accuracy of information, auditing system reports with proactive management tools and setting up nationwide supply chain agreements ensuring that all expenditure adds value and innovation to our stakeholders.

I joined the Fortem board in September 2016 as Finance Director leading the finance department and I believe that the success of the team is driven by good communication both internally and externally, training and developing the team to maximize their potential and ensuring key controls are maintained within the business.

Fortem is a company that I am proud to work for as the people and culture within the business sets us apart from anyone else I have come across. I admire Fortem’s flare for change that aims to benefit the sector and our clients by empowering and investing in the people within the Fortem family.

People who care

Meet the Board

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