How JMS is helping to change the landscape of Reading

Once a small market town, Reading is experiencing a huge increase in residential, commercial, and public sector developments.  With the government introducing a £3bn housing initiative last year, many local authorities are looking to create thousands of new homes in the heart of Berkshire.

We speak to our very own James Gillies, Lead Associate at JMS Engineers in Reading, about the new business opportunities in Reading and beyond.

What does a typical day at the Reading office look like and what are you currently working on?

My days are varied and full of challenges – so there is never a typical day! One thing that I try to do each morning is plan how to accomplish the myriad of tasks at hand.

In-person, on-site client calls are usually critical to any project. They ensure we understand the client’s needs and provides opportunities to discuss upcoming projects and opportunities.  Although we have revised our working methods due to the pandemic, most building sites have remained open, so we can safely undertake visits to site.  Nothing beats the results that meaningful face-to-face interaction can provide.

Tell us about the JMS branch at Reading and what you hope to achieve? 

Establishing our office in Reading was a natural progression to continue the rapid growth of the business and build on the substantial investment we have already made in the region over the last couple of years.

We look forward to providing increased support to local architects, property developers, homeowners, and local authorities. This really is a key moment to be bold in engaging and expanding relationships with local businesses and clients.

What opportunities do you see in Berkshire?

Reading is already a key location in the UK, it has a strong economy, a great reputation for regeneration and innovation, and it helps that it enjoys great transport links to London.

Reading is such an exciting place to be right now, with enormous investment in developments such as the Newbury estate, the new ice rink for Bracknell, the upgrade of Reading West Station and various new home schemes at the planning stage.  The county really will undergo a massive change over the next few years.

We are receiving fantastic feedback from our clients and we are keen to become a key player in the area, playing our part in building new communities.

What is on your wish list for the next 10 years at JMS Reading?

We have withstood the worse of COVID-19, and in fact have managed to thrive, with a number of key projects now off the ground.  As the country continues to recover from the effects of the pandemic, I believe we will continue to see substantial growth in and around Reading, that we can build on year on year.

Working collaboratively, designing creative, original, transformative buildings and infrastructure is my passion – and I am very fortunate to work alongside the best design engineers in the business.

I cannot wait to see what the future holds for Reading, I love living and working here – there really is no better place to be right now.

Visit the JMS website for more information 

Photo credit:  Amanda Lewis