David Gratte

As Group Managing Director, it’s my job to oversee and manage the Group’s business operations, people, and premises to drive growth and ensure effective delivery. This involves liaising with the management teams in each of our operating companies and across the Group to provide the support and strategic leadership required to achieve short and long-term objectives, whilst providing our teams with the necessary authority to act.

It’s also my responsibility to push continuous improvement and innovation across the Group and ensure that we have the policies and procedures in place to be a responsible, inclusive, forward-thinking and strategic business. To protect our fantastic company culture, it’s my role to communicate the company’s vision and objectives.

For me, what makes Gratte Brothers so special is the relationships we build as a business with our people, our suppliers, and our clients. As a business, we’re proud to work with those that share our values. This allows us to build long-term relationships based on mutual trust and respect.

Steve Gratte

As Group Risk Director, my responsibility is to work with each of our operating companies to identify, evaluate and manage areas of risk. It’s vital that we create an environment and maintain a culture that ensures our people are risk aware, able to report concerns, and mindful of the processes we have in place to reduce such risks.

It’s also my responsibility to oversee our supply chain operations. Our partners are an integral part of our success, so we only collaborate with companies that share our values and commitment to high standards, are ethically sound, financially stable, environmentally aware and focused on health & safety management.

Our company culture is what makes Gratte Brothers so unique. We’re a family business and that has a direct influence on our operations and the relationships we hold. Gratte Brothers has been established for over 75 years now and that’s a testament to our commitment to quality and to our people.

Chris Bass

My time with Gratte Brothers began during a summer placement helping to manage the Fleet, but it officially began in the Accounts Department in 2011. Today, my role is working with the Business Development teams in each of our operating companies. It’s my responsibility to listen and understand where our strengths lie and monitor the industry for prospects where we can deliver successfully. I ensure we’re best positioned to receive opportunities that match our core strengths and then assess what opportunities will deliver key relationships.

What makes Gratte Brothers such a great company to work for is that it understands the importance of work/life balance. This attracts great people who want to stay. Additionally, we all work hard to maintain our enviable reputation in the industry, which has allowed us to work with some fantastic clients who continue to include us in some of the most rewarding projects the industry has to offer.

Bronwyn Miller

My career at Gratte Brothers started 15 years ago when I worked as an Administrator in the Human Resources Department whilst studying for a business degree. I was then advised of an administrative role that had become available in the Accounts Department, and from there I progressed to the role of Credit Controller.

Once I completed my degree, I was able to earn my ACCA qualification whilst still working for the company and afterwards, Gratte Brothers promoted me to Group Accountant. I continued to progress internally, working my way up from Group Financial Controller to my current position as Group Financial Director.

Our people are integral to the success of this business and it’s the culture of respect and integrity which makes it such a great place to work.

Michael Trott

My career at Gratte Brothers began as an Electrical Apprentice. I worked my way up from Engineer to Managing Director of the company’s Security division and now I act as the Business Development Director for the Group.

Gratte Brothers is a well-known and respected company within the industry, but we’re never complacent. Constantly meeting new people within my role, I know how important it is to build and maintain relationships with our clients. After 40 years of working for Gratte Brothers, I know the depths of our capabilities. I act as the interface between Gratte Brothers and our clients, understanding their requirements and ensuring that we communicate as a team to deliver an end-result that fulfils their expectations.

Gratte Brothers is a family company that will always value respect and we gain that from our clients through our honesty. We’re constantly evolving, and as the third generation takes over, we remain steadfast in our values and commitment to excellence.

John Madgwick

As the Health & Safety Director, I’m responsible for setting the policies and standards which ensure the health, safety and wellbeing of our staff and employees.

At Gratte Brothers, we strive to provide safe working environments for all and it’s the top-level commitment from our Directors that ensures they’re without risk to health. As Ian Gratte once said, ‘safety is the primary consideration in everything we do’, so we’re involved at every stage of a project, from tender to completion, to ensure the risk has been identified, that all health & safety requirements are budgeted for and that we’re capable of controlling the risk involved.

Our Health & Safety strategy is based on values, engagement and leadership and we review our objectives annually and our KPIs monthly to ensure we’re constantly meeting our high standards. Our employee comment card scheme allows us to listen to those working under our policies and we consider all suggestions when designing and implementing our strategy.

Alice Kilner

I joined Gratte Brothers in March 2022 as the Group’s Environmental Advisor. My role is responsible for managing and maintaining our Environmental Management system and constantly improving the environmental performance of Gratte Brothers Group. I regularly visit our sites to see where we can make those improvements to areas such as waste management and emissions. In addition, I assess the company’s environmental performance at Group level to ensure we’re moving in the right (sustainable!) direction. As part of this, I’m currently spear-heading the Groups’ journey towards a net-zero future.

Since starting at Gratte Brothers, every interaction I’ve had has been positive! There’s a very collaborative culture internally; everyone is happy to listen to each other and work as a team towards a common goal. One of the elements that sets Gratte Brothers apart is that it puts an enormous amount of trust into its employees to get the job done to a high standard; something which has allowed me to push for real change. With the support of my colleagues, I’ve already started to see some success in my efforts towards a more environmentally-friendly future.

Iain Thomson

My career at Gratte Brothers began over 35 years ago as a Surveyor. As my career progressed, I moved through various roles within the company. Now, as Managing Director of Gratte Brothers Building Services & Engineering (GBBS&E), my role is one of leadership, ensuring that the business is where it should be and implementing the programmes that support our objectives.

We’re proud to have a reputation for engineering excellence and we believe this is down to the calibre of our people. It’s critical that we invest in our staff and give them the opportunity to attain the professional standards that allow them to progress. We want to build a legacy to be proud of, and for us, that also means placing an increasing emphasis on environmental sustainability and the highest health and safety standards.

Gratte Brothers continues to stand for respect and loyalty. We have a desire to be the best; individually, as a team and as a business. We believe our people want to be the best and we support that.

Mark Kendall

Having joined Gratte Brothers in September 2022, I’m delighted to have joined such a successful multi-faceted company with an incredible history. As a strong, independent, family-owned business with an exceptional reputation in the market as well as a wide and diverse customer base, it’s a great team to be joining.

For the past two decades, I’ve held senior industry positions across catering equipment distribution and design. I’ve enjoyed roles both on an employed and voluntary basis, as a business owner and as a Chairman of distributor trade body, ceda.

My role within Gratte Brothers Foodservice Solutions is to drive sustainable growth within the business. My aims are to build on the success of the team, collaboratively celebrate our wins, and maximise opportunities. I also want to retain the core values that make this family business feel so unique.

Barney Whiting

I started my journey with Gratte Brothers in early 2019, having worked across the Property and Hard Services maintenance industry for the 15 years since leaving the British Army.

In my experience, the most important asset of any business is its people. Therefore competency, positive attitude, professionalism and good humour are all fundamental ingredients to the success of any team. The Gratte Brothers Building Services Maintenance (GBBSM) team has these qualities in abundance, so I’m both humbled and privileged to be leading the GBBSM Operating Company as Managing Director since my appointment in 2022.

I drive the sustained, controlled and profitable growth of the company by maximising client opportunities. I do this by using innovative and value-driven service delivery, underpinned by robust processes, leading technology, and accurate data.

The family-owned heritage of Gratte Brothers means that the inclusive values and positive culture are embraced by all who work here. Consequently, the honesty, integrity and proficiency of all our staff results in a first-class service to our clients.

Rob Whelan

My journey with Gratte Brothers began when I joined as an Electrician 28 years ago. During my tenure, I’ve worked across multiple areas and roles within the Group. Now, in my current position of Managing Director of Gratte Brothers Security Systems & Software, my key responsibilities are ensuring consistent delivery of the highest quality and making sure we all strive for continual improvement, efficiency and value to enable client retention and growth.

What makes Gratte Brothers such a great place to work is, first and foremost, the Gratte Family. As an employee, you’re supported both in and out of work. They always find the time to provide assistance for any issues or concerns you may have, and help to find a solution. Secondly, it’s the people that I work with and the atmosphere in which we work. We all work as a team, in an open and honest environment. Coming into work is something that I look forward to; seeing my colleagues and friends, working as a team, achieving success and meeting challenges together.

Clair Townsend

Currently an Electrical Project Manager, I’ve been with the business for over 4 years. What I like about working here is the good family-feel that the company has and the fact that everyone work as a team.

I began working within the industry as a Document Controller and studied for 5 years to achieve my Level 2 & Level 3 in Electrical installation before completing an HNC in Building Services. I transitioned to Trainee Building Services Engineer and began running my own projects. Since joining Gratte Brothers, I’ve continued to progress, working my way from Project Engineer to my current role as Project Manager.

What I enjoy most about working in construction is being able to see my work come to life right in front of me, being able to see an end-product and knowing that my skills were involved.

Paul Du Plessis

As Quality Manager for the Group, I have the unique opportunity of seeing first-hand how the different business functions integrate with one another. My role is to ensure that Gratte Brothers Group’s quality assurance processes are followed, maintained and improved to meet the requirements of the Integrated Management System.

I joined the Gratte Brothers family in 2005, when I started my career as an on-site Administrator for M&E Engineering. A host of different training courses, ranging from relevant CQI modules through to lead auditor training, as well as the support of senior management have enabled me to work in various roles including Document Controller, Information Co-Ordinator, and Quality Advisor.

Working at Gratte Brothers is not just about having a job, it’s about experiencing your potential.