Dennis Barnard, the Operations Director of the specialist refurbishment contractor, ME Construction, was among the guests at a reception held at Number 10 Downing Street recently to ‘celebrate small business’.

ME Construction director, Dennis Barnard, outside No 10 Downing Street – with a (friendly) policeman.

The Prime Minister, the Rt Hon David Cameron MP, hosted the reception. In addition to a number of successful businesspeople from the small business sector, those present included the Rt Hon Vince Cable MP, the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills.

Named, last December, in the current ‘Fast Track 100’ – a list of the UK’s 100 fastest growing privately owned companies – ME Construction works in the conservation, refurbishment, healthcare and selected new build sectors throughout London and the surrounding areas. It concentrates on the delivery of small to medium-sized projects – typically, not exceeding £4.5m.

Dennis Barnard, who helped to found the company in 2007, commented: “While other sectors of the UK have found that times are tough, ME Construction has experienced strong and consistent business growth. That may be because we operate in specialist areas within the construction industry but it might also be because we complete almost all our projects on time – and meet or exceed customers’ expectations.

“Moreover, the company aims to be professional and profitable, focusing on quality delivery.

He added: “We’re achieving this by:

•        Recruiting – and retaining – high calibre, committed and enthusiastic staff;

•        Demonstrating and displaying integrity: through open, honest and collaborative teamworking as integral members of the client’s delivery team;

•        Having an accessible, competent and enthusiastic management team, and

•        Responding rapidly and effectively to every issue.”

“By adopting a customer-focused approach, we cater for our customers’ specific needs, tailoring our service to suit their requirements,” he said. “We collaborate with all the members of the delivery team, from design partners to suppliers, ensuring that we achieve the project’s goals in the most efficient and cost-effective manner.

“It was good to meet other businesspeople at Number 10 who also promote – in their respective sectors of the economy – these principles of high quality results, achieved through collaborative teamwork,” Dennis said.