About Us

Verto Architectural was established in 2012 and incorporated in 2018.

The company was formed to fill what was to its founders, an obvious void in the marketplace.

Having spent a combined 45 years in the industry, we had noticed that the key missing ingredients at many previous places of employment was customer service and a passion for delivering results.

We apply common sense and a hands on, practical approach to every stage of the process from design to installation.

The one thing you can be sure of in dealing with Verto Architectural is a frank approach with the best interests of the project at heart.

 

GAVIN MILLETT

Having an unexpected family bereavement at a very young age changed my teenage plans of a career in Law and thrust me straight into the construction industry, purely out of a desperation to earn an income.

It was incredibly lucky that this first proper job was in fact for a local, but highly reputed Architectural Metalwork company.  Admittedly in the capacity of a site labourer, the tools of my trade were in no particular order, a broom, a dustpan and a paint brush.  Over the years, the responsibilities grew and I was finally allowed to use a tape measure!

In all I spent nearly ten years at this company, eventually working my way up to a directorship. 

The work was exciting, rewarding, sometimes jaw dropping, however I left for pastures new and found myself as a buyer and commercial manager for a £35m turnover metalwork company.

This new role was challenging and I had no choice but to quickly learn the systems employed by a large organisation, having been used to the smaller and more traditional ways of a rural company.

Over the eight year duration of employment, I was very proud to have been involved in some incredible projects and been part of an award winning team.  I still have professional relationships with many of the contacts established during this period of my career.

Unfortunately, as happens so often in the construction industry, one problem on a large project can have a domino effect on the entire company.  Cash flow was hindered and before long, the men in black were changing the locks.  Fortunately, Pricewaterhouse Coopers saw something in me and employed me to assist in the administration process.

Whilst ultimately the company was taken over by a conglomerate of established businessmen, it was time for me to leave. Having endured the difficulties and stresses of the administration, I was burnt out and had lost my passion for the company.

It was an unusual feeling to be actively seeking a new job for the first time in nearly twenty years.

In a relatively short time I had an offer on the table to join a London based Architectural Metalwork company, the offer seemed too good to be true.  I had never seen such a well equipped and highly skilled metalwork company and on top of that, I’d never realised that I had that level of earning potential.

Over nearly three years my eyes were opened in a way I thought was not possible.  I had tremendous laughs, built great friendships and learnt that some Ferraris are stuck in first gear.  The things I experienced in such a short time at this company would fill several chapters of my memoirs!

It was during this period that I met Dean Harrison and we instantly clicked.  Some might say it was because I was the only person at the company who could understand the strong “Geordie” accent, but I’d rather say it was shared opinions, similar experiences and a mutual love of Golden Virginia rolling tobacco.

It wasn’t too long before our shared opinions became shared ideals regarding what can be provided, not just in product quality, but customer service and most importantly basic human decency.

Dean and I incorporated Verto Architectural Metalwork Ltd. in 2018 and the rest as they say is history.

Looking back at it, with no regrets, there is nothing I would rather have done for a living.

 

DEAN HARRISON

Over the past 30 plus years my career has grown and developed solely in Architectural Metalwork within the Construction Industry.

Leaving college at 17 years old I worked as a draughtsman in several drawing offices for various North East based companies. Whilst I found the transition from pencil, stencils and drawing board to computer and mouse very easy it did turn out to be extremely important for me, computer aided design is something I have used and will continue to use almost on a daily basis.

In 2006 whilst working for a large sub-contractor (£30 million turnover) I was promoted to Project Manager. For the next 8 year I managed numerous metalwork contracts all over the UK for some of the country's largest Main Contractors. Examples include Sir Robert McAlpine (NISA and Velodrome Stadium, 2014 Commonwealth Games). Mace (The Shard). Lend Lease (2012 Olympic Games, Athletes Village).

In 2014 looking for a new challenge, out of the blue I was offered a position with a Metalwork sub-contractor based in Dubai. I remember the day the offer arrived; it was a typical October day in Newcastle and the rain was bouncing off the pavement. Needless to say, within two months my family and I had sold up and were on our way to the Middle East.

The three years I spent working in Dubai was an experience I will never forget, I was fortunate enough to work with some of the world's largest contractors, BESIX group, Alec Engineering and Bechtel Group to name a few. Due to my drawing office background, I worked as both Project Manager on certain contracts and design manager for the Architectural Metalwork contract on Oman's International Airport in Muscat.

Upon my return to the UK in 2017 I was persuaded to accept a position with a specialist sub-contractor based in West London this is where I met Gavin Millett. Gavin and I immediately struck up a good working relationship and friendship. We started Verto in 2018 not simply because of ambition but for the chance to do things the way we believed to be the correct way without interference from above.

My ethos with regard to work has never changed and I know Gavin has similar beliefs, build relationships with clients, suppliers and colleagues, based on honesty and trust. I believe if you do this combined with excellent product knowledge, skilled tradesmen and obviously good design then the end result will be something outstanding every time.

This is what we strive to do at Verto Architectural Metalwork and after reviewing some of the testimonials from our clients on the gallery pages, I'm convinced we are heading in the right direction.