Earlier last month, Three Pines Building Company bid a bittersweet goodbye to managing director, Alan Bradshaw, having decided it was time to embark on his well-deserved retirement. Having joined the company in 1981, Alan’s 40 year journey with Three Pines has been nothing short of extraordinary, and proves to be an inspiring story of resilience and determination.
Establishing the business in 1960, Alan’s father and then managing director, David, decided that his son was not going to have everything handed to him on a plate. Insisting that Alan start from the bottom, this led to the 16-year-old starting his journey as a trainee carpenter at McAlpine. From the beginning, it was clear that the young apprentice was resolute and talented – something instantly spotted, as the following years saw Alan win the McAlpine Apprentice of the Year award for that local area.
Having proved himself more than worthy, Alan joined the family firm in 1981, initially working on site and then gradually transitioning to a full-time desk position. In 1994, he became managing director and slightly later, in 2000, took over fully after the passing of his father.
Building on the foundations already set, Alan’s contribution has ensured the soaring success and reputation of Three Pines over the years.
In 2017, Alan’s achievements finally received the recognition they deserved, when he was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Federation of Master Builders Awards. This enabled Alan’s contribution towards the FMB and surrounding community to be acknowledged and celebrated, whilst also paying respect to Alan’s personal career journey and positive influence on the building trade overall.
It therefore goes without saying that Alan will be sorely missed at Three Pines, although in some ways he’ll never truly leave. It seems impossible to separate Alan’s influence from the company itself, leaving his impact cemented within the foundations for its successors to build even further on.
Three Pines is now in the trusted hands of longstanding existing directors, Graham Haughton and Neil Lerigo, who have worked closely alongside Alan and endeavour to continue the company’s growing success in the same fashion.
On behalf of all at Three Pines Building Company, we wish Alan a long, well-deserved and happy retirement after such a fantastic career and contribution to the building community.
