Ridge welcomes two industry leaders, Mark Plant and Gareth Parsons, to launch a building services engineering arm out of our Plymouth office

“Joining Ridge feels like stepping into a team where collaboration truly matters” says Mark Plant, Partner in Building Services Engineering. “I was instantly drawn in by the culture at Ridge – there’s no ivory tower or hierarchy – just a sense of belonging to a team where I can really make an impact. Our goal is simple: build the strongest building services team in the southwest, delivering best-in-class quality and service”. 

 Mark has over 35 years’ experience in construction and 15 years working at Services Design Solution where he led a dedicated M&E design team and rose from senior electrical engineer to Regional Director. His journey began beyond the boardroom – after leaving school without strong academic results, he spent six months as a bricklayer’s labourer. It was on site, knee deep in mud, that he noticed the electricians working in the warm and dry and decided to change his career path. That moment sparked him to undertake an apprenticeship that led to him becoming the youngest electrical foreman at Lorne Stewart.  

 Gareth Parsons, also appointed as Partner, adds: “What drew me to Ridge was the culture – people are heard and there’s a genuine passion for doing things right. Ridge offers the perfect balance: a large company with plentiful resources at your fingertips, but with the heart of a small business. I’m also really excited to help continue to drive decarbonisation and digital transformation in the region.” 

Gareth started his career as a mechanical apprentice at Lorne Stewart before joining Hydrock in 2003. With 22 years at Hydrock and the last 7 as the Regional Director, he grew the Plymouth team from six to thirty-four, delivering projects ranging from £450,000 to £6.5 million. Leaving school at 16 with no clear direction, Gareth’s love for technical drawing led him into engineering and eventually to mentoring others. One of Gareth’s proudest achievements are the graduates that he bought through at Hydrock, which has produced three outstanding engineers now thriving in their own careers. 

 Both Mark and Gareth share a commitment to decarbonising the industry. For the past three and a half years, Mark hasn’t specified a single gas-related system, focusing instead on electrification powered by renewables. Gareth is equally passionate about the technology and innovation driving this shift particularly in healthcare and defence – sectors where he brings extensive experience and insight. They are also excited about the digital transformation sweeping through building services. The evolution of Revit and BIM is changing how designs are delivered, reducing risk and improving outcomes on site. 

 Mark and Gareth are focused on raising the bar, improving outputs and impressing clients and contractors alike. Together with Bob Corne, Associate Electrical Engineer, the trio bring over 110 years of combined experience – a powerhouse of knowledge, collaboration and ambition.  

Mark and Gareth joining Ridge is a huge milestone for our Plymouth office. Their combined experience and leadership will not only strengthen our building services capability but also help us deliver smarter, more sustainable solutions for clients across the southwest. Both bring a passion for innovation – whether it’s driving decarbonisation or embracing digital tools like BIM and Revit – and that aligns perfectly with our vision for the future. I’m excited to see how their expertise will shape projects and inspire the next generation of engineers within our team.

 

Ross Pomery, Plymouth Office Lead