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Through support from Enterprising ȫ��̽��’s Business Coaching initiative, Kidderminster-based GW Consulting Engineers have been able to scale and grow. Structural engineers and friends of 20 years, Graham Chapman and Warrick Pannell embarked on their entrepreneurial journey in April 2022. With a combined 50+ years of experience in the engineering sector and a longstanding dream to set up their own practice, the pair decided to form G W Consulting Engineers and “do things their way”.

How did you find out about Enterprising ȫ��̽��’s Business Coaching?

Early in their business journey, Graham and Warrick recognised the need for additional support to help them grow.

Director Warrick explained: “From the outset, we knew we wanted to expand the business. We came across some adverts for Enterprising ȫ��̽��’s Business Coaching and decided to apply for the programme through Real World Consultancy (RWC). We were then assigned a dedicated mentor.

“Our coaching sessions were informal but highly effective. Our coach helped us focus on our goals, guiding us to prioritise both our business direction and personal wellbeing. She encouraged us to explore additional resources, including hiring staff to lighten the workload. She also advised us to develop better tools for reviewing work, cash flow, and future planning.

“These sessions gave us the opportunity to pause, reflect, and set clear goals for faster business growth. We often found ourselves caught up in day-to-day tasks, and this time to strategize made a real difference.

“I didn’t fully appreciate the range of support available at first, but after our coaching, we successfully applied for a grant to invest in IT equipment, including new computers and a printer for our growing team. The grants have made a significant impact.”

Recruitment following business support

With a renewed focus on growth, the company moved their company from their dining rooms to an office in Kidderminster in October 2022. After receiving business support and expanding their team, they  were able to relocate to larger offices.

“Our coach provided us with great ideas and helped us think more strategically about the future”, said Warrick. “As a result, we hired our first staff member in June 2023, followed by another in October 2023. In 2024 we further expanded with recruiting a further two members of staff including our first Engineering Apprentice and dedicated financial controller. Our apprentice, which came after our second round of coaching was a long-term goal for the business with both of us starting out as apprentices and offer the same opportunities as we were given. We are now on the hunt for our next member of staff, an experienced Structural Engineer to compliment our growing team and ever-growing workload.

The coaching sessions really pushed us to take that next step, they gave us the confidence that we could grow the business much faster than we initially thought.”

Turning a longtime dream into  a thriving business with Support from Enterprising ȫ��̽��

Kidderminster-based GW Consulting Engineers, founded by friends and structural engineers Graham Chapman and Warrick Pannell, has experienced rapid growth thanks to support from Enterprising ȫ��̽��’s Business Coaching programme.

With over 50 years of combined experience in the engineering sector, the two friends turned their 20-year dream of running their own practice into reality when they launched the firm in April 2022.

Warrick Pannell said: “Our coach provided us with great ideas and helped us think more strategically about the future. As a result, we hired our first staff member in June 2023, followed by another in October 2023. 

In 2024 we further expanded with recruiting a further two members of staff including our first Engineering Apprentice and dedicated financial controller. Our apprentice, which came after our second round of coaching was a long-term goal for the business with both of us starting out as apprentices and offer the same opportunities as we were given.”

Councillor Adam Kent, ȫ��̽�� County Council’s Cabinet Member for Economy and Skills, praised the initiative: “Enterprising ȫ��̽�� is vital for supporting local businesses, driving job creation, and boosting our local economy. Through tailored support and coaching, it empowers start-ups like GW Consulting Engineers to grow confidently and contribute positively to the community.”

With support from the Enterprising ȫ��̽�� Business Coaching initiative, GW Consulting Engineers relocated from their dining rooms to a new office in Kidderminster in October 2022. Their team has since expanded with the hiring of four new staff members, including their first engineering apprentice, and a dedicated financial controller.

GW Consulting Engineers continues to look to the future and is currently seeking an experienced Structural Engineer to join their growing team.

The Enterprising ȫ��̽�� programme continues to help businesses like G W Consulting Engineers realise their full potential, fostering economic growth and job creation in the region.