Designer Group builds for future growth on strong 2024 performance
Paul Nicholls, Group Managing Director and co-owner of Designer Group, reflects on a year of consolidation and targeted growth, highlighting strategic investments in people, core sectors, and sustainable practices, as the M&E contractor eyes continued success and navigates industry challenges.
Group Managing Director and co-owner of Designer Group Paul Nicholls is very pleased with the performance of the leading M&E contractor in 2024. It was a year when Designer Group consolidated its business and pursued targeted growth in key sectors.
Paul Nicholls
Paul Nicholls comments: “We have been on a strong upward curve for several years, so last year was about strengthening our foundations, making sure we had the right systems, structures, and people in place to take the business forward. We have focused on the timely delivery of our projects and improving our overall efficiency, which in turn leads to better value for our clients, but also increased profitability to help fund further investment and growth in the business.”
He continues, “We’ve invested significantly in our team. We’ve brought in experienced people across key functions who are attracted by our culture and our plans for the business. We’ve also developed our internal teams, empowering them to take on more responsibility. That’s probably what I’m most proud of — seeing talented people step up and grow within the business.”
Designer Group also stayed focused on its core sectors — data centres, energy, and life sciences. “That clarity has helped us strengthen our delivery, stay aligned with our long-term goals, and put the business in a strong position for the next phase of growth.”
Designer Group markets and sectors
Designer Group is active in 10 markets across three continents. Some are long-term operations, while others are more project-specific; however, Paul Nicholls explains that all align with the contractor’s overall strategy to support clients in high-growth and high-impact sectors.
“Sector-wise, our core strengths lie in data centres, energy, life sciences and building services. Over the past few years, we’ve expanded significantly in the energy sector, particularly in decarbonisation and infrastructure. We’ve supported multinational clients with complex carbon reduction initiatives, including biomass and heat pump technology alongside on-site power generation.
“We are also involved in critical infrastructure projects like the Celtic Interconnector, which will link the electricity grids of Ireland and France for the first time.
“Projects like these are not just technically demanding; they align with our purpose as a company and our commitment to supporting a more resilient and sustainable energy future.
“We’re selective about the work we pursue. We don’t chase volume — we focus on sectors where we can add real value and bring deep technical experience to the table.”
Designer Group Outlook
According to Paul Nicolls, Designer Group’s outlook for the coming two years is centred around sustainable, profitable growth.
“The opportunities are there, but we recognise that the landscape is changing fast — whether that’s in terms of economic uncertainty, resource availability, construction inflation, planning and infrastructure issues, or the increasing complexity of projects.
“We’re not in the business of growing for the sake of it. We’ll adapt to these challenges, and we’ll continue to invest in our teams, double down on the sectors we know, and build the kind of client relationships that stand the test of time.
“Our European operations, particularly in energy and data centres, will be a big focus. And we’ll keep pushing the bar internally in terms of how we plan, deliver and support our projects.”
Market development
Over the past year, Designer Group has been focused on pursuing initiatives that support its long-term vision for sustainable growth and diversification.
Paul Nicholls explains, “Decarbonisation has been a key focus, and we’ve led several projects to reduce emissions, including transitioning industrial clients to heat pumps or biomass and integrating renewable energy systems for clients in the data centre, life sciences, and food & beverage sectors.
“Our data centre business has also expanded. During 2024, we completed five significant data centre projects across three campuses in the Nordics for a key client. We are also working on other data centre projects across central and southern Europe at present.
“We know that the strength of our team is key to delivering on our ambitions. Over the past year, we’ve continued to grow our team internationally while also investing in homegrown talent, ensuring that we have the right people in place to drive our success forward.
Sustainability
Sustainability is integral to every aspect of Designer Group’s operations and projects. From net-zero carbon facilities to NZEB buildings and BREEAM and LEED certifications, every project now incorporates sustainable elements, ensuring it delivers long-term value for its clients.
Paul Nicholls explains how the company has gone about setting and achieving goals, “We are leading in decarbonisation, renewable energy, and power generation, including initiatives like energy solutions for data centre clients in Ireland and overseas.
“Internally, we’ve set ambitious targets, including achieving zero waste to landfill by 2026 and net zero by 2035. With significant investments already made to date, we have strategic carbon reduction projects in planning. We are implementing a new ESG online platform that will support both our ESG strategy and CSRD requirements.”
These sustainability commitments influence Designer Group’s project scope and business operations, ensuring it not only meets the evolving demands of the industry but also contributes to a sustainable future.
He adds, “Sustainability is now a core driver of how we do business and how we support our clients.”
Attracting more young people in to the sector
Paul Nicholls understands that addressing skills shortages is key to Designer Group’s long-term success. This is why the contractor puts a big emphasis on building strong relationships with schools and colleges.
He explains, “Through apprenticeships, graduate programmes, and mentoring, we are creating clear pathways for young people to enter and grow within our industry. We want to ensure the next generation is equipped with the skills, experience, and confidence to thrive.
“But we don’t just look outward — we also actively invest in our people. There are numerous routes for progression within Designer Group, and we make a point of identifying and nurturing internal talent. We have seen our people grow their careers in real and inspiring ways: from site-based roles into professional services and from administrative positions into technical teams. These journeys reflect our commitment to nurturing talent from within and building a culture where growth is encouraged, supported, and recognised. There is a real culture of learning in the business, mostly driven by our award-winning training facility, where we are constantly training and upskilling our workforce to ensure we are at the cutting edge of technology and innovation.”
On the diversity and equality front, Paul Nicholls adds that Designer Group is committed to building a more inclusive workforce. “We’re actively encouraging more women to consider construction as a career. As a company, we know our business is at its strongest when everyone feels valued and supported. It’s not about meeting quotas — it’s about fostering an environment where people from all backgrounds can succeed and contribute fully.”
Mental wellbeing
Paul Nicolls understands that life can be tough and that construction is a particularly challenging field to work in.
“Within society generally, mental health often takes a back seat. But we’re committed to changing that. Designer Group employees have access to a range of platforms, services and supports. Our DG Benefits Portal provides a huge amount of self-directional and interactive content and a “Live Well” blog providing health advice and guidance on a range of topics, such as the importance of physical exercise, stress and anxiety management. This is a preventative approach and has proven popular with our team members.”
He adds: “We also have confidential 24/7 EAP support and mental health case management via Spectrum Live, which is available to staff and their family members. This service has multiple access points, such as a freephone and WhatsApp, and operates to clinical standards. The service can help to address issues such as financial planning and debt management, which, sometimes, is a root cause of deteriorating mental health.
“We have trained our own in-house Mental Health First Aiders for that more immediate and often preventative approach to supporting colleagues on site.
“Additionally, we’re proud to support the Lighthouse Charity, which offers well-being support specifically for the construction industry. They provide a vital service, helping to break the stigma around mental health and offering a lifeline to those who need it.”
He continues, “At Designer Group, we very much understand the importance of psychological safety and the importance of a positive, supportive and respectful organisational culture, which sets clear expectations for all.”
Data centre delivery challenges
Paul Nicholls adds his voice to many people in the industry who believe data centre development is being unnecessarily hindered, resulting in huge consequences for the Irish economy. He believes that the lack of energy infrastructure is an issue that needs to be addressed urgently.
“There are some major challenges around data centre delivery in Ireland, and unfortunately, all the large tech companies are already making decisions to invest large sums in other European countries. While delays in the planning system have certainly slowed progress and are not acceptable, the delivery of infrastructure, particularly energy, is where the real issue lies.
“Ireland’s grid is under real strain, and we need a more strategic, sustainable approach to energy planning. At Designer Group, we’re already responding to this by supporting clients to take control of their own energy needs. On several of our current projects, we’re delivering on-site power generation solutions for data centre companies, reducing reliance on the grid and increasing resilience. This kind of integrated thinking, where power, sustainability, and infrastructure delivery go hand-in-hand, is essential for Ireland to remain competitive in the global data economy. Unfortunately, as a country, time is not on our side. If the government does not act quickly and decisively, we will continue to lose this essential and critical investment, with far-reaching consequences for future economic growth.”
Collaboration is key to success
Discussing Designer Group’s approach to working with clients, Paul Nicholls explains, “In an ideal world, neither the contractor or client should ever have to rely on the contract. When people are referring to the contract, it’s usually too late. At Designer Group, we look to operate in a much more collaborative way with our clients.
“Having said that, I do feel that there is room for improvement in how contracts are structured. The current models don’t always reflect the complexities of modern M&E projects. A more flexible and collaborative approach to contracts would help minimise risks and foster better working relationships between clients and contractors. The more we can focus on partnership and collaboration, the better the results will be.”
Digital tools
At Designer Group, technology and innovation are at the core of its operations. Paul Nicholls explains the company is always striving for the next innovation or the next piece of technology that it can use to become more efficient.
“We have fully embraced a digital way of construction, and now, with the onset of AI, the opportunities are even greater. This not only boosts efficiency but also allows for better communication and collaboration across the board. Working closely with clients and subcontractors, we’re making sure everyone’s on the same page from day one, helping us to deliver projects on time and within budget while reducing waste and rework. The results speak for themselves, and we’re excited to see where this digital journey takes us.”
In conclusion
Paul Nicholls sees the overriding concern for the industry over the next 18 months as global economic uncertainty. Uncertainty, for instance, around tariffs, is causing a lot of concern within the industry, particularly in the life sciences and data centre sectors.”
He adds, “As a country, we need to make large investments in our infrastructure. Our power, water and waste grids are not where they need to be. We also need to invest further in renewable power. If we are courageous enough to make these investments now, we can help insulate our economy and our industry from the challenges posed by the current global economic uncertainty,” Paul Nicholls concludes.