3PM has £1m order book after first three months

Project management consultant 3PM has amassed a £1m order book, just three months after its launch.

The new venture was founded by Patrick Watson, who was operational director at Buro Four, David Bird, previously a partner at Hornagold & Hills, Rob Burborough, who used to be a director at Turner & Townsend and Ian Higgs, also previously at Buro Four.

The 10-strong consultant is now looking to target further expansion, particularly in the education, science, commercial and sport sectors.

3PM’s four partners were brought together by quantity surveyor Robinson Low Francis (RLF), which part-owns the firm. It will grow to 25 staff within three months by absorbing project management staff from RLF, taking its order book to £2.5m.

Early wins include a project mentor role on an £8.2m green enterprise centre for the University of East Anglia.

Steven Barker, senior partner at RLF, said the firm thought it best to create a separate project management company rather than a division within RLF.

He said: “Our core business remains quantity surveying. We didn’t want [the project management brand] to be damaged by being part of just another QS firm.”

Burborough said: “Independence is very key for us. Our strength comes from having senior people from previous businesses who are able to focus on clients.”