Introducing Shield’s Truro Team

Truro branch continues to play a crucial role at the heart of the Cornish community

Our longstanding Cornish branch has a new manager at the helm and now seems like the perfect moment to introduce you to David Williams and hear how he and the team are looking to take things forward.

Q.  How long have we had a branch presence in your area?

A.  “Shield has operated in Cornwall since its very early days, over 40 years ago, initially providing insulation and then asbestos removal services. We had our first branch in Redruth back in the late 80s and then relocated to Truro, where we are firmly established within the community.”

Q.  How many people work for the branch location?

A.  “The Truro team is really established, with Contracts Managers, a Framework Manager, an Office Manager, Storeman, our site guys and Myself. We’re all very customer focussed and strive to deliver high quality, value for money projects and build strong, reliable relationships with customers.”

Q.  Which local causes/charities do the branch look to support?

A.  “As with all of our Shield branch and office locations we look to play our part in the local community and support sports sides such as Ivybridge RFC, Newquay AFC and Porthleven AFC. Crucially, we are also the proud headline sponsors for the Pirate FM mission Christmas, which has such a wonderful impact across the whole of Cornwall. Personally, it is motivating to be able to offer this type of support.”

Q.  What are the typical customer/sector types that you service from the Truro branch?

A.  “As is the case with most of our branches nationwide, the Healthcare and Education sectors play an important part for the Truro branch. But additionally, and probably more uniquely, we also have a strong customer base of private homeowners, for whom we can provide our services for smaller asbestos removal works, such as garage roof removals. This stems from the reputation that Shield has built as a result of being a part of the Cornish community for so many years.”

Q.  How long have you been in the asbestos/construction services industry?

A.  “I’ve had around 20 years in the industry, covering asbestos consultancy, project management, compliance and now asbestos removal. I’ve worked on everything from domestic housing projects to multi-national industrial clients such as Rolls-Royce, Jaguar Landrover and BMW, as well as nuclear and MOD sites.”

Q.  What changes have you seen during your time in the industry?

A.  “No question for me that the biggest changes have centred on improvements within health and safety regulation.  The industry as a whole is now in a far better place, in terms of operative and client safety, as well as the safe disposal of such as dangerous substance.”

Q.  What are the biggest challenges that face the industry?

A.  “The flow of new asbestos removal operatives remains a constant challenge nationally, and one which every asbestos contractor faces.”

Q.  How are you looking to develop the branch to meet our customers’ needs?

A. “We already deliver a high standard of work but I’m keen to use my experience to streamline what we do and deliver our quality, service to existing and new clients. I hope to engage and build working relationships with some larger clients and help them manage their asbestos issues in more complex environments. That said, we’re a family business and are proud of the work we’ve always done in the Cornish community. We’ll continue to provide the same quality service to our domestic clients – No job is too big or small.”

Q.  Why are you relocating to Cornwall?

A.  “I’m part Cornish with my family hailing from Porthleven on the South coast. I want my own family to grow up in a cleaner, healthier and more open-minded environment and enjoy a healthier way of life and better work/life balance.”

Q.  What sets Shield apart from the competition?

A.  “Without doubt, the quality of our service, as we have very proactive asbestos removal operatives, who go the extra mile to ensure that the client is happy.  Additionally, the role that we have traditionally played with the community.”