This month, we’re shining the spotlight on Patrick Garforth, our Operations Director — and one of the driving forces behind Hawley Building Services’ continued growth. With a unique career that spans both finance and M&E, Patrick brings a sharp strategic mind, a solutions-first approach, and a steady hand to the leadership of the business.
Q: Can you tell us a little about yourself and your background?
Patrick’s journey to M&E wasn’t straightforward. “I started my career in finance, working for major worldwide banks in the City of London for several years. By the early 2000s, I realised it wasn’t the right fit for me. I left the industry to pursue something different and joined the M&E sector, working my way through various leadership roles before taking on the role of Operations Director at Hawley Building Services in 2024.”
Q: How did you get into the M&E industry?
Patrick’s entry into M&E came later than most. “After working in finance, I had a conversation with a friend who was a carpenter. He mentioned that his company needed electricians. I looked into it, found a retraining scheme, and transitioned into the M&E sector in my 20s. I then joined a heating and ventilation company in Bradford, which laid the foundations for everything I’ve done since”
Professional Background
Q: What is your role at Hawley Building Services, and what does it involve?
As Operations Director, Patrick’s role spans many areas. “I’m responsible for ensuring the company runs smoothly — from the day-to-day coordination of people and projects, through to long-term strategic planning that supports our growth. It’s about making sure we’re not just delivering on today’s priorities, but building a business that’s structured, resilient, and ready for the future”
Q: What do you find most rewarding about working in M&E?
For Patrick, the most rewarding part is the client relationships. “I love working with clients, those that know they need to make a change but aren’t sure what that change should look like. Helping them navigate through the construction process and delivering a solution that makes a real difference to their business. The satisfaction you get when you take an abstract idea or conversation then transform that into a tangible system is extremely rewarding’’
Industry Insights & Leadership
Q: How have you seen the M&E sector evolve over the years?
Patrick has witnessed significant changes, particularly in the shift towards sustainability. “The rate of change within the industry seems to be accelerating dramatically. The technological advancement and focus on shifting away from carbon heavy plant to greener tech is a major catalyst driving that change. Unfortunately, the industry is not keeping up with demand and the lack of quality engineers who can support the changing need is an ongoing concern, it really highlights the critical need to invest in young people, new talent and upskilling if we want to keep pace with what comes next’’.
Q: What are the biggest challenges facing the industry right now?
‘Client needs have changed, historically businesses have looked to extend, build and re generate offices & premises. With ESG becoming such a prominent part of a company’s fabric, and the transition to hybrid working, our industry has now been challenged with not only building new space but repurposing what is already existing and providing more sustainable solutions.
This change in need requires a more flexible and at times nuanced approach. Old ways, old systems, old attitudes are no longer providing the answers. We are seeing this with some large main contractors who are struggling to offer value, they are either scaling back or in some cases ceasing to exist. Conversely, we are seeing clients engage more and more with hard service providers, these businesses provide a large portion of a sustainable system install and can manage projects at a lower cost point to that of the larger main contractors’’.
Q: How do you approach leadership and mentoring within the team?
Patrick says “Behave in a way that reflects how you would like others to act. This seems a simple mantra, but I once worked in a business where the premises were cold in the winter and sweltering in the summer. The MD decided he would get air conditioning for him and his wife in their offices while stating there was no money to install it anywhere else. That was a prime example of poor leadership, elevating themselves above others’’.
In mentoring, I encourage the team to be solution driven, our clients engage with us because of that, people want to deal with contractors that solve problems not create them.
Final Thoughts
Q: What advice would you give to someone starting out in M&E?
Patrick’s advice is straightforward: “It all starts with attitude. If you’re prepared to work hard, learn, and stay focused, this is an incredibly rewarding industry. Nothing comes easy, but it’s worth the effort.
The other key bit of advice I would give to anyone is listen. As my role within the sector has become more senior over the years, there seems to be an obsession with talking, being heard, making a point despite its validity. You see social media platforms full of these types offering LinkedIn philosophy to all those unlucky enough to be in their vicinity. The art of listening seems to be sadly lacking, listening to people, understanding other views/outlooks seems to have become forgotten, for me however, it is such an underrated yet fundamental skill”.
Q: What do you enjoy most about working at Hawley Building Services?
“There’s a real alignment between the business and our clients,” says Patrick. “We all believe in what we’re doing, and that makes a huge difference. The team here is fantastic, dedicated, professional, and great to work with. We are lucky to have such a fantastic team, hopefully James (Managing Director) & myself can help provide an environment for this business to be a company they are all proud to be a part of”.
Q: Where do you see the company heading in the next five years?
Patrick is optimistic about the future. “I’m genuinely excited about where we’re heading. We’re partnering with some fantastic clients on ambitious and complex schemes both in the public & private sector. I see us growing not just in size, but in reputation, firmly establishing Hawley Building Services as a trusted name in the construction industry”
Patrick’s blend of strategic insight, calm leadership, and unwavering commitment to client success makes him a cornerstone of our journey ahead. Together, Patrick and the rest of the senior management team are focused on delivering ambitious projects, nurturing talent, and pushing Hawley Building Services into new sectors and new standards. With strong leadership and a clear vision, the future of HBS looks brighter than ever.
