Meet Our Directors
John Newbold
SVM Associates
In 1997, I joined SVM to establish an office in Birmingham and develop the lift consultancy section of the business.
Organic growth led to significant regional market presence.
In 2004 the current directors enacted a management buy out enabling growth across the UK and Ireland.
SVM Associates are now one of the most renowned and respected vertical transport consulting engineers.
“If you have any sort of problem with building services, you can rely on us to analyse the issues and come up with a pragmatic solution. It might not be the answer you expected – some of our most successful commissions bring together technical and commercial approaches born from original thinking.”
“Our most valuable resources are our people; and the breadth and depth of their experience. When you ‘hire ‘us it’s not just the project leader allocated to you that you will work with. You will have all of SVMA’s resources at your finger tips; effectively, you will have our company expertise in house. Why not try us out? The calibre of our long standing Clients suggests we are doing something right.”
Industry Expertise
As a field technician, I worked in an era that saw the introduction of microprocessor controls and solid state drives. I feel fortunate that this experience means I can relate to ‘black box’ solid state technology and have a solid understanding how a lift control is expected to work. This knowledge still informs my working practices today.
In addition, my HND in electronics/ microelectronics, including machine code programming, still gives me an added advantage when analysing problems with modern lift controls.
My engineering background shapes the company’s approach to problem solving which cements our reputation as technical expert and I am currently developing condition measurement services for lifts and escalators because I believe to make informed interventions you need reliable data.
Consequently, my fee earning commissions, alongside running the business, involve appointments as:
- Authorising Engineer for a number of NHS Trusts
- Acting as expert witness in disputes and criminal cases.
- Contributor to CIBSE Guide D
Member of the BCO technical committee for lifts
"I am not young enough to know everything"
The Beginning
An apprentice with Otis, straight from school, I quickly progressed to Regional Service Technician covering a large area from Wales to the East Coast.
Working in all aspects of the field, I was exposed to a wide range of lift and escalator issues where I learnt how to approach a range of mechanical and electrical problems and develop workable solutions.
"You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough."
Career Highlights
Early in my career, I was tasked by Otis with developing a specific maintenance regime for new lifts, which was to be rolled out across the UK. The commercial and technical experience I gained from running and growing the business is my greatest career achievement. It was also a major contributing factor in achieving Chartered status.
Winning and delivering high profile, challenging projects such as the term commission for Houses of Parliament, including the first lift in Big Ben, and the modernisation of the lifts in Tower 42; the first lift modernisation of a 40 storey building in the UK, is a always a privilege (and a testimony to the technical prowess of our team).
Free Time
The free time I have is spent travelling, learning and occasionally watching my local team Birmingham City.
Talk to John
“If you do have a problem with any of your building services, you can be safe in the knowledge that we will find a carefully considered way forward – all based on an abundance of knowledge within the industry.”
SVM Associates
I joined SVM as a Senior Engineer within 6 months of John launching the Birmingham office. My role was to bring M&E capability and we soon became involved in many prestigious projects, including multi award winning Brindleyplace. I progressed to Principal Engineer, then a managerial position within three years of joining.
We developed a distinct local client base in the office workplace and industrial sectors. Following the buy out In 2004, we have sustained a significant growth in business across all disciplines. Known as the ‘M&E go-to guys’ for situations requiring innovative solutions, we get off the fence and get the job done.
Mark Carter
“First and foremost this is a people business. Whilst we have all of the technical expertise to deliver appropriate solutions, we engender an upbeat and innovative working experience. This is with the attitude that a problem is a chance to take ownership and do our very best. People who shrug their shoulders do not fit our business profile”
Industry Expertise
In my apprenticeship I was fortunate to experience a breadth of skills associated with building engineering services, including:
– draughting and design – pipe-fitting – plumbing – ductwork installation – maintenance – electrical services – controls and electronics laboratory – circuit board design & installation –
This solid foundation has been invaluable to me, allowing me to consistently make informed engineering design and installation decisions. The combination of pragmatic experience and academic engineering skill set is the model that I continually use to shape our team, set us apart from our competitors, and deliver solutions.
Working in the building engineering service for over 30 years, I have worked with a wide range of industries acquiring detailed knowledge and bespoke experience that influences, and benefits, every new project we work on. Specialist sectors include:
– Office workplaces – Industrial – Defence – Education – Custodial – Fire Services – Places of Worship – Retail –
I am currently using my sector experience to develop a new service line using BIM as a real tool for owners/occupiers post-construction.
In addition to my role as company secretary and running the business, my fee earning commissions also involve:
- Directing larger commissions
- Ensuring the brief is fully met
- Acting as Principal Designer
- Technical due diligence reports
- Dilapidations assessments
- Expert witness for dispute resolutions
“We revel in technically challenging commissions that demand innovative solutions. Our clients say we are a safe pair of hands who they trust to deliver difficult commissions.
We are not run-of-the-mill consultants who act as drawing contractors. You will not experience different faces turning up to every meeting. We are trouble-shooters. We are cost-effective. We are pragmatic.”
Free Time
I like being outdoors whenever I have some spare time. I have a passion for cycling and I am drawn to challenging rides – I follow Eddy Merckx philosophy, ‘Don’t buy upgrades, ride up grades….’
I also enjoy hill and mountain walking. Most of all though, I enjoy quality time with family and a few beers with friends.
Career Highlights
In the first year of my career I was proud to be given the accolade of apprentice of the year. Then, having just completed my apprenticeship, one of the organisation’s critical production facilities suffered catastrophic fire damage. I was given the opportunity to lead a team of multi-disciplined professionals in a fast-track reinstatement of the facility. It led to a special note from the chairman for the team’s commitments and efforts in returning production to the facility in short order.
More recently, celebrating the awards for the Brindleyplace fit-out was a definite highlight. However, my greatest career achievement is ongoing – the continual growth of our successful business. This has been mainly developed through word of mouth, and with a team of individuals who are essentially at the top of their game. Repeat business from clients involving many prestigious and unique commissions, and successfully delivering them, is testament to the quality of the service that we are renowned for.
"For myself I am an optimist - it does not seem to be much use to be anything else."
The Beginning
My career began as an indentured apprentice for a large international group of manufacturing companies. I progressed to a role with full responsibility for design, specification, supervision, project management, new build commissions and refurbishment for many workplace and industrial projects across the UK and Europe.
