MHB Consultants (MHB) is delighted to announce the appointment of Fergus Aitchison as its new Managing Director. MHB’s Founder, Hendrie Barbour, will subsequently move into the role of Chairman as he continues to be involved in the civil engineering consultancy firm he formed in 2006. 

A chartered civil engineer with experience at Arup and Apollo, Fergus originally joined MHB in 2015 as an associate and since becoming a director and member of the board in 2018, has been instrumental in growing the business’ bridges and civil structures design team.

Headquartered in Glasgow, MHB has additional offices in Edinburgh, York and Croydon. Since moving to an employee ownership model in 2020 (one of only 286 employee-owned businesses in Scotland), the total number of employees has grown by 50%, from 40 to 60 employees, with revenue increasing from £3.4m at the end of 2020 to recording £5.47m for its latest 2024 accounts. MHB is now targeting £10m revenue by 2030 as the business continues to provide cost-effective and practical solutions for its clients which includes construction firms, transport agencies, local authorities, engineering consultants and private clients throughout the UK.  

MHB’s new Managing Director, Fergus Aitchison, commented: 

“It’s been a privilege to have witnessed first-hand the fantastic growth of the business over the last decade under Hendrie’s outstanding leadership and a true honour for me to now step into the Managing Director role. 

Being a fully employee-owned business has allowed our workforce to become engaged and feel empowered in the direction of the business. I look forward to working with all my co-owners in building a company of lasting value while continuing to provide the highest quality of technical services to our clients.” 

MHB’s Founder and Chairman, Hendrie Barbour, added: 

“I would like to wish Fergus every success in his new role as we move into 2025 and beyond. In building up our bridges capability and already being a valued member of the board since 2018, he is ideally placed to take the business forward. While I’m handing over the day-to-day reins of the business over to Fergus, I’m personally delighted to still be involved in the business I founded 19 years ago. I look forward to supporting Fergus and the wider leadership team as we continue to deliver outstanding value for our loyal clients.” 

Manufacturing & Engineering Magazine | The Home of Manufacturing Industry News