KIRKWOOD TIMBER FRAME - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Timber Frame Design Technician
After leaving school, Amy studied for her HNC in Built Environment from 2016-2017 at Nescol college in Altens, before going on to become a trainee Design Technician for over 5 years. Amy joined the Kirkwood Timber Frame team at the beginning of 2023, after returning to work from her maternity leave. Her role involves liaising with architects and engineers to design timber frame kits, and producing high quality manufacture and site drawings.
Outside of work, Amy enjoys spending time with her little girl and the rest of her family and friends! She also enjoys walking and regularly working out which divides her time between baking delicious cakes.
Job Titles:
- Business Development Manager
With nearly 25 years of experience in manufacturing, importing and distribution, Andy transitioned to timber frame two decades ago and has not looked back since. His extensive experience in the timber products industry has given him valuable insights into the entire supply chain process, and he holds a professional qualification from the Institute of Wood Science, where he focused on timber frame construction.
Andy prioritises delivering exceptional customer service and building strong relationships with customers and colleagues. He focuses on expanding Kirkwood Timber Frame's customer base in the North of England and believes in the power of teamwork and collaboration to achieve success.
In his free time, Andy enjoys playing golf, riding his motorbike and fishing. He is an avid cyclist and frequently participates in rides with his local club when his schedule permits.
Job Titles:
- Senior Timber Frame Design Technician
Job Titles:
- Business Development Director
With over 19 years of experience in the construction industry and 5 years as a director, Barbara began her career as a trainee estimator and has since excelled in various roles, spanning project management, sales, estimating, operations, logistics, and customer care.
Joining Kirkwood Timber Frame in early 2024, Barbara is committed to propelling the company's market share growth in the UK. Her primary focus is on fostering customer partnerships, building relationships, and establishing Kirkwood Timber Frame as a solution provider.
Beyond the office, Barbara remains dedicated to supporting and mentoring individuals outside of work, a rewarding endeavor she has pursued for several years. She also loves to go hill walking with her husband, two young children and their dog.
Job Titles:
- Trainee Timber Frame Design Technician
During his time at school, Benjamin attended college and obtained his Skills for Work: Engineering module qualification. He joined the Kirkwood Timber Frame team in July 2023 to become our Trainee Timber Frame Design Technician. His current role involves working closely with our experienced technicians to hone his skills while gaining practical knowledge and experience within the timber frame industry through a hands-on approach.
Outside work, Benjamin is a big fan of sport - his favourite to participate in is boxing, but he also loves to keep up with watching football, UFC, boxing or the F1.
Chris achieved his BSc (Hons) in Quantity Surveying at RGU in 2011, before working for another timber frame company as a Quantity Surveyor for 7 years. He joined the Kirkwood Timber Frame team in December 2021, with his current role split across Kirkwood Homes and Kirkwood Timber Frame.
For Kirkwood Homes, Chris looks after all commercial aspects on selected developments, and for Kirkwood Timber Frame he is involved in the entire building process, from pre-contract to final account stage on the timber frame subcontracts. Day to day he is reviewing contracts, budgets, procuring labour/plant, working with the site team, submitting valuations of our work and agreeing final accounts.
When he's not working, Chris enjoys spending time with his family, with a young daughter to keep him very busy!
Job Titles:
- Operations Planning Coordinator
David entered the timber frame sector after a career in Customer/Civil Service, before joining the Kirkwood Timber Frame team in May 2022 to manage the planning function within the business. His role involves providing regular detailed plans for the various teams, forecasting the forward projections of both future and live work commitments, giving updates on future sales and trends, as well as working closely with our internal stakeholders, suppliers and most importantly, with our customers.
He loves a challenge, a plan and making the figures work to allow a seamless production and delivery. The ethos at Kirkwood Timber Frame is to be flexible to meet the differing needs of customers, this is something David is passionate about and feels he can facilitate regular and clear communication with our customers, which ultimately allows us to fulfil their needs and expectations.
Away from the office, David is a Retained Firefighter where he serves his local community aspart of a team which responds to 999 Emergency calls within the Aberdeenshire area. He is a keen F1 fan and runner with a recent highlight of completing the 2021 Virgin Money London Marathon raising funds for The Guide Dogs for the Blind.
Job Titles:
- Business Development Manager
Debbi joined Kirkwood Timber Frame in June 2021, and is heavily focused on developing and growing the business, meeting with prospective customers, maintaining customer relationships, and providing guidance to self-build customers throughout their journey.
When she's not at work, Debbi enjoys playing and teaching children snare drum in a pipe band, as well as training in mixed martial arts. She also has two cats, a puppy and a husband to keep her busy at home!
Job Titles:
- Purchase Ledger Assistant
In her current role, Gemma is responsible for the full day to day Purchase Ledger within Kirkwood Timber Frame, which includes invoice processing, preparing payment runs and ensuring everything is captured each month. She also works closely with our Divisional Accountant, Hannah, to learn aspects of the wider finance function as the business continues to grow.
In her free time, Gemma enjoys watching sports - particularly football and tennis, and was delighted to visit her bucket list destination of Rome before joining the Kirkwood Timber Frame team!
Since leaving school in 2008, Hannah gained her ACCA qualification while working in the Oil & Gas industry. She joined the Kirkwood Timber Frame team in April 2022, bringing 10 years of management and accounting experience with her. With the help of our purchase ledger and payroll teams within the group, Hannah currently handles all the day to day finance tasks, from invoicing clients and cash flow forecasting, to preparing the monthly management accounts.
Outside of work, Hannah has two young children who keep her very busy with weekends full of activities, exploring outdoors and visiting family and friends.
Since gaining a City & Guilds qualification from Glasgow College of Building and Printing, Jim has been in the timber kit industry for over 47 years, working as a Contracts Supervisor / Manager for a number of timber frame and construction companies for the last 15 of those years. Jim has also passed his Appointed Person Certificate for crane works, as well as his SMSTS certificate.
After semi-retiring in May 2022, Jim joined the Kirkwood Timber Frame team in September 2022 as a part-time Contracts Manager. His role involves checking our kits on-site, liaising with site management teams for deliveries, snagging and sign off processes, as well as being responsible for producing the lifting plans for cranes on some of our sites.
In his spare time, Jim enjoys walking his dog, watching football games, going out for meals, and visiting his grandchildren.
Before his 35 years of experience in the industry - and 16 years as a director - Malcolm began his career designing and estimating roof trusses. Since then, he has worked in most areas of the business, including project management, technical and design, sales and estimating, and operations, with experience working for some of the largest timber frame companies across the UK.
Malcolm joined Kirkwood Timber Frame in August 2021 as Business Development Director, then became Managing Director as of 1st September 2022 and took overall responsibility for Kirkwood Timber Frame. His role now includes business strategy, product development, staff management and training, as well as overseeing sales and marketing.
Outside of work, Malcolm is a keen road cyclist, and tries to undertake 4 or 5 Sportives every year both for charity and to keep fit.
Martin entered into the timber frame sector after gaining his degree in Quantity Surveying at Robert Gordon University. He joined the Kirkwood Timber Frame team in July 2021 to head up the estimating team, bringing over 7 years' experience across a number of roles in the timber frame sector.
He is focussed on attention to detail and being flexible to meet the differing needs of customers in order to provide the best service possible. He's also invested in the training and development of younger members of the team to give them the best possible start in the industry.
Away from the office, Martin likes to explore the beautiful corner of the world, close to our Aberdeenshire base and devotes (possibly unhealthy amount of) time following his beloved Aberdeen FC.
After leaving school, Matthew worked as an apprentice joiner before studying Built Environment at Nescol College at Altens, achieving his HNC qualification in 2020 and furthering his education at studying Architectural Technology BSc (Hons) at the RGU.
Matthew began his career at Kirkwood Timber Frame in March 2022 as part of his 3rd year university work placement, then joined the team full time as a Technical Administrator later on in the year. His current role includes producing manufacturing and site drawings, loose material take offs and processing kits to the factory.
Outside of work, Matthew enjoys all things sports - often playing 5 a side football or watching the NFL, F1 and rugby on the weekend, all while hoping Aberdeen FC snatch a victory!
Originally a joiner by trade, Neil attended Angus College in Arbroath to complete his Level 3 Carpentry & Joinery qualification before going on to gain over 25 years of experience, with time spent as an offshore technician in the oil and gas industry.
Neil switched his career to Contracts Management / Supervision, and joined Kirkwood Timber Frame October 2022. His current role involves supervising the construction of our timber frame kits, overseeing product delivery, erection and handover on site.
In his spare time, Neil is a huge lover of the outdoors and regularly goes hiking, walking, kayaking, camping, cycling and running. He's also a big fan of history, reading and podcasts - but most importantly, he is ‘BEST BUDS' with his working cocker spaniel, Trigger.
Job Titles:
- Timber Frame Design Technician
After leaving school, Neil worked for another timber frame company for 7 years before joining Kirkwood Timber Frame in August 2022. During his previous employment, Neil studied Built Environment at Nescol College in Altens, achieving his HNC qualification in 2019. Neil's current role as a Design Technician involves producing numerous manufacturing and site drawings, from architectural and engineering drawings, to loose material take offs.
Outside of work, Neil takes on the responsibility of being Vice Chairman of the Deeside Steam and Vintage club, and enjoys taking his two vintage tractors to various local shows, which he owns with his father and uncle.
Job Titles:
- Trainee Timber Frame Estimator
Rachel graduated in 2014 with an LLB: Law Degree from Stirling University and recently graduated with an HND in Computer Aided Architectural Design & Technology. She joined Kirkwood Timber Frame in June 2022, beginning her career in the timber frame industry.
Rachel joined the business on a part time basis, working across both the estimating and technical departments as a Junior Project Co-ordinator and has since progressed to Trainee Timber Frame Estimator. She hopes to build on the wide range of skills she has already learned and is enthusiastic about progressing further within her role.
Away from the office, Rachel enjoys visiting her caravan in North Berwick, sewing and spending time walking her dogs (all 3 of them!) with her partner.
Job Titles:
- Technical Director Designate
Steven started his career in the construction industry in his hometown of Forfar, working at a truss manufacturing plant as a Trainee Truss Technician. He joined us in October 2021 to head up our technical team and brings over 22 years' experience to his role as Project Manager.
Steven is passionate about the training and development of younger members of staff and passing on knowledge to the wider team to enable them to progress. He's also very focused on customer service and quality, striving to be known as the best to deal with and always providing a top quality product and service.
When he's not involved in all things timber frame, he enjoys the great outdoors - running, cycling and hillwalking - that's when his son and daughter let him out of course!