Artium drafts in construction firepower
The Harrogate-headquartered property group has made two senior appointments from GMI in Martin Watson and Joe McDermott as it looks to become contractor of choice in its market.
Watson joins Artium Construction as managing director and shareholder and McDermott as director and shareholder.
The pair join Garry Shaw, who was appointed director and shareholder of Artium Construction last year, with the trio having 60 years’ collective senior construction industry experience.
They will work with the board of directors across the group to build a £50m turnover construction business over the next five years.
Artium Construction is looking to grow its portfolio of work in both new-build and refurbishment projects across Yorkshire & the Humber, spanning both public and private sectors.
The firm is focusing on projects ranging from £2m to £10m in fields including residential, student, healthcare, industrial, and office spaces.
The current order book in the division’s first year of operation stands at £12m, including the conversion of a three-storey office building in York to create 31 apartments, a mixed-use development in the centre of York combining refurb and new-build; a 12-apartment office-to-residential conversion in Harrogate and a school conversion in Ripon.
Director Garry Shaw said: “The addition of both Martin and Joe will have a transformative impact on our already established business, enhancing our capabilities and further bolstering our current pipeline.”
Managing director Martin Watson added: “Artium Group has a growing reputation in the marketplace; therefore, this is a fantastic opportunity for the three of us to grow the construction business and develop an experienced team, with a genuine opportunity to influence and shape our vision of becoming the contractor of choice in the North of England across our target markets.”
Watson, a 27-year industry veteran who was a construction manager at Clugston and later a board director at GMI, will oversee all company operations, strategic planning, project management, financial stewardship, and team leadership.
McDermott spent 16 years with Wates before joining GMI. He will take responsibility for tendering, pre-construction negotiating and commercial governance.
Sam Colley, director and co-owner of Artium Group, alongside Thomas Shotton, emphasised the significance of these appointments: “Garry, Joe and Martin possess outstanding and pragmatic experience in every dimension of construction. Their reputation as dynamic, conscientious, and results-orientated professionals proceeds them.
“The calibre of these appointments underscores our commitment and capabilities in delivering end-to-end solutions, providing our clients and investors with the utmost confidence in our ability. Artium Group’s dedication to excellence and investor value remain steadfast, and these strategic additions reinforce just that.”
