Kiev, a city that ‘had to happen’

Thomas and Adamson, the construction and property consultants, has carved itself a niche by expanding into eastern Europe, years before countries there were beginning to see their economies become established.

Now in its 70th year, the firm is currently involved in projects as far away as Moscow and Moldova, including hotel, office and residential developments.

All of this stemmed from a decision made in 1995, when T&A opened a branch in Kiev.

A growing city with a population of some four million, T&A perceived it as being an ideal base for expansion into eastern Europe.

John Miller, a partner at T&A (pictured above), explains the rationale behind the choice of location.

“To some it seemed like a strange decision, but to us it made perfect sense. Here we had a country with a population of 50 million, a landmass larger than France and a marketplace in which little or no development had taken place. We could see that this place had to happen. In addition, Kiev’s relatively central location left us ideally placed to service work in the former Soviet countries, as well as the central eastern European market.”

The firm quickly forged ties with a number of major multinational companies entering the market at the time, with Coca-Cola, Daewoo and Credit Suisse featuring on their client list.

People are inevitably looking for clarity, especially in the uncertain political and economic climate that exists in eastern Europe

John Miller, T&A

Miller concedes that there is an inevitable bureaucratic element involved in dealing with a former member of the Soviet bloc.

“You know you are going to encounter problems doing business in these markets, but half the battle is in doing your homework and going in with your eyes wide open. If the game is played with 52 cards and you only have 26, it’s not difficult to see who is going to win.”

People are inevitably looking for clarity, especially in the uncertain political and economic climate that exists in eastern Europe,” continued Miller.

Closer to home, the firm has been heavily involved in various school and university PPP projects, primarily focusing on Scotland, but with an increasing presence throughout the UK. Last October they were appointed as project planners, mechanical and electrical services advisers and energy advisers for a £180m Edinburgh schools PPP programme.

Alastair Wallace, a partner with T&A who was closely involved with the project, said: “The scheme will provide up to six secondary and two primary schools in the Edinburgh area. The three bidders are due to present their proposals to the Council at the end of July.”

Meanwhile, T&A is continuing to invest heavily in its Ukrainian workforce, which Miller admits is an extremely well educated and loyal resource. And with the live commissions in Moscow and Moldova, the east is patently a land of promise for this Edinburgh firm.