The Gradient approach is to work with you, not just for you. We’re a friendly, approachable team with years of experience and industry specialisms between us.

Clare Armstrong

Clare Armstrong

Director - BSc (Hons) MSc CIWFM Tech IOSH P405 CIHM

Area of expertise – I am an industry specialist in asbestos and compliance management with a particular focus on the housing sector. I work with clients to review their existing service, policies and procedures and develop and implement action plans to achieve compliance and peace of mind. I provide expert advice on legislation and health and safety in construction and workplace and facility management.  Recently, I have led compliance audits, major public sector procurement exercises as technical lead and designed and implemented bespoke asbestos register software.

About me – With a background in social sciences and facility management, I have over 20 years’ experience in the industry. Prior to founding Gradient, I worked in the public sector team at Owen Williams Consultants managing residential and commercial premises for major clients. Since founding Gradient in 2004 I am proud to have worked for some of the UK’s largest social landlords to assist them with their compliance both in consultancy and interim roles.  I really believe that consultancy is all about great communication and making complex information clear, concise and relevant. When I can tear myself away from Gradient I enjoy drawing and painting, getting out into the countryside, eating out and bargain hunting in my home town of Tunbridge Wells.

Memberships – certified member of Institute of Workplace and Facilities Management and a technical member of Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, Member of the Chartered Institute of Housing.

Recent Projects –

  • Royal Borough Greenwich – Compliance review and consultancy
  • London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham – Asbestos consultancy and supply chain procurement
  • London Fire Brigade – Asbestos Management Consultancy
  • Origin – Asbestos review and consultancy
  • Optivo – FM review
  • Hyde Housing Group – Interim Compliance Contract Management
  • Octavia – Compliance review
  • Paradigm Housing Group – Asbestos Register Design and Implementation
  • The Courtauld Institute of Art – Policy Development
  • London Borough of Southwark – Contractor Audit
  • Alexandra Palace – Asbestos Consultancy
Richard Garland

Richard Garland

Director - BSc (Hons) DipBldgCons MBA FRICS MIC AaPS

Area of expertise – I am a Chartered Building Surveyor and Management Consultancy Surveyor, specialising in complex residential and commercial property project management.

About me – With over 35 years in the property and construction industry, my career spans DLO management and economic development before working as a surveyor at Lincoln Cathedral and then Grosvenor to manage the London Estates of Mayfair and Belgravia. After heading up a multi-disciplinary team for Owen Williams consultants I co-founded Gradient Consultants in 2004. My focus is collaboration, with a passion for leading effective project meetings, delivering value for clients and promoting sustainability goals. Richard has a good working knowledge of global project management and risk processes, including PRINCE2, and recently completed the University of Cambridge, Sustainability Leadership course (June 2022).

Leading the team at Gradient we have successfully delivered over £20m in construction projects in the last few years. These include Eastbourne’s £3.5m fishing quay harbour development, a Costa drive thru and retail park improvements, Newhaven Ferry Port Terminal external upgrade, affordable housing schemes in Lewes and Eastbourne, and the on-going development of a new seafront restaurant and sister restaurant in Eastbourne Railway Station. Residential projects have included the renovation of a listed Knightsbridge home, as well as on-going mansion block projects in Holland Park, Notting Hill, Maida Vale, and London Bridge.

Memberships – Honoured Fellow of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors,

NED Roles – Chair of Eastbourne Town Board, Past President & Director of Eastbourne Unltd Chamber of Commerce, Chair of RICS London Region

Recent Projects –

  • Marine Court, St Leonards on-Sea, Phase 1, new roof and structural repairs – project director
  • Glasshouse Restaurant, Eastbourne, commercial renovation – planning consultants, designer and project manager
  • The Glenn, Eastbourne, 19 No. new build affordable flats, £4m – Employer’s Agent and cost consultants
  • Retail Park Development, Eastbourne, £3m – employer’s agent and cost consultant
Duncan Tibbitts

Duncan Tibbitts

Associate Director - BSc (Hons) MRICS AaPS

Area of expertise – I am an experienced project manager and contract administrator. I am also an expert on the CDM2015 Regulations, having provided advice on several multi-million pound commercial and residential new-build and refurbishment projects. 

About me – With 20 years’ experience as a Chartered Building Surveyor I joined Gradient in 2014 having previously worked for large London firms including Cluttons and CBRE. I have recently acted as employer’s agent, CDM principal designer and clerk of works on 2 residential new-build projects costing £10m in total for a local authority. I have also project managed a £1m external refurbishment project of a commercial building in Newhaven. I am an experienced and accredited RICS APC assessor. I spend my free time playing football, reading, exploring London and Sussex with my family as well as enjoying music festivals, gigs and real ale.

Memberships – Chartered Member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors and Associate Member of the Association of Project Safety.

Recent Projects –

  • Eastbourne, East Sussex – assistant employer’s agent, principal designer and clerk of works on a £4m 19-unit residential new-build project
  • Newhaven, East Sussex – employer’s agent, principal designer and clerk of works on a £6m 21-unit residential new-build project
  • Newhaven, East Sussex – lead designer, contract administrator and principal designer on a £1m external refurbishment of a ferry terminal building
  • St Wilfrid’s Hospice, Eastbourne – Preparation of 15 Year asset maintenance plan
  • Fowey Hall Hotel, Cornwall – CDM principal designer for a £10m hotel extension and major refurbishment
  • The Grove Hotel, Herts  – CDM principal designer for multi-million bedroom refurbishment project
Luke Maglennon

Luke Maglennon

Building Surveyor BSc (Hons)

Area of expertise – I have been involved in undertaking complex surveys of residential and commercial buildings and have overseen a number of refurbishment and renovation projects. I have prepared and served party wall notices and awards, prepared applications for Listed Building Consent, planning applications and building regulations, as well as providing CDM Principal Designer and Contract Administration services. Some of the projects I have overseen have been in the region of up to £440k.

About me – I have over 8 years’ experience as a Building Surveyor. I obtained my bachelor’s degree in building surveying from the University of Brighton in 2016 and started out my career as a building surveyor for a small firm in Hove for 6 years before moving to Gradient Consultants Ltd in 2022. I am currently working towards gaining my chartered surveyor status with the RICS. I spend my free time playing 11-aside football for my local team and meeting up with my friends and family in Hastings and Hove.

Recent Projects –

  • Eaton Place, London – Project management of an externals project to a Listed Building
  • Ladbroke Square, London – Produced drawings and submitted a Full Planning & Listed Building Consent Application
  • Grand Court, Eastbourne – Project management of an externals project to a large block of flats
  • St Aubyns, Hove – Project management of an externals project to a large residential property
  • Glass House, Eastbourne – Produced drawings and obtained planning approval for a restaurant renovation
  • Carew Court, London – CDM principal designer for a lift replacement

 

 

Jane Armstrong

Jane Armstrong

Finance and Project Administrator

Area of expertise – As Finance and Project Administrator I am responsible for accounts. I also work with the Directors to oversee all major projects.

About me – Having worked in a number of managerial roles in the public sector, including City College Brighton I joined Gradient in 2006. My background is in the education sector and much of my career has seen me working closely with the end users of services as well as managing budgets and resources. I enjoy keeping fit, singing with Rock Choir and spending time with my family including granddaughters at home in Lewes. I am also a member of the Nevill Juveniles Bonfire Society and enjoy spending winter evenings knitting their green and white jumpers.

 

 

 

 

 

Julia Johns

Julia Johns

ESG Lead

Area of expertise – I’m a Social Value Consultant and Gradient’s ESG Lead. As the ESG Lead at Gradient, I oversee our Environmental, Social, and Governance strategies and initiatives. As a Social Value Consultant I work with private and public sector clients to help them understand, measure, and enhance the positive impact they have on society and the environment.

About me – By integrating ESG principles into Gradient’s operations, I ensure that our business functions responsibly and sustainably. I manage our B Corp certification, ensuring we meet the standards and uphold the values that balance economic performance with positive social and environmental impacts.

I’m an Associate Practitioner of Social Value and SROI and as a consultant I guide clients in developing strategies and implementing practices that maximize positive outcomes, ensuring their activities are aligned with broader social and environmental goals. I provide training and support to build their capacity in social value measurement and enhancement, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and accountability. I have managed the social value aspects of local authority affordable housing projects, ensuring compliance with SVMC and S106 commitments while driving initiatives that benefit communities and stakeholders.

Memberships – Social Value UK, IEMA