Gary McLean – Founder
I was Born in London but was educated in Scotland. After leaving school I joined the British Army, specifically the Royal Engineers. After Basic training I was posted to a specialist amphibious unit. I completed multiple overseas tours before leaving in 1995.
Upon leaving the Army I studied and achieved an HNC in business studies. During this time I got a job as a recruitment consultant and then branch manager where I worked until 2000. After this I travelled and worked in Australia for two years in banking and construction.
Professional Experience
Upon returning to the UK in 2002, I first started working in the Highways sector. I initially worked on the broadband infrastructure projects in West Scotland enhancing internet access to many communities. During this time whilst working I studied for and qualified as an Electrical technician. After this project was finished I started at Hertfordshire Highways in the street lighting department for Amey. I started working with Amey as a Highways electrician and Crane truck driver. I was promoted to Supervisor and then manager within two years. During my time at Ameys I was moved to the TfL contract where we turned our performance on that contract from poor to High achieving 99% KPI status for our percentage of in light performance. During this time, I achieved a Diploma in management studies and the ILP lighting Diploma.
I started working for FM Conway in 2013 as a senior contracts manager. The TfL contract at the time was getting ready for LED conversions and during my time there my teams installed LED’s in the North Network for TfL. Maintaining consistently high-performance indicators throughout my time with FM Conway I was asked to take on all external projects which led to tendering/costing and managing many projects in and around the southeast.
In 2016 I moved to Kier construction where I was appointed Head of Lighting and acted as a senior operations manager for multiple contracts throughout the south of England. During this time, I managed multiple street lighting contracts both for local authorities and external projects. I also qualified in Health and Safety in this time with a NEBOSH certificate.
I joined the Highway electrical association in 2018 where I started working as an Auditor / Assessor and trainer. During this time, I was approved and delivered many training courses from electrical safety to sector scheme compliance. I also conducted multiple ISO 9001 audits on organisations. I also conducted site assessments for many organisations across the UK for their National Vocational qualifications.
In late 2021 I left the HEA and started working as a Highways Consultant. This was split between assisting organisations with their Highways electrical sector scheme requirements and delivering training. I also qualified as a ISO 45001 auditor to bolster my ISO 9001 qualification .
During my time whilst working as a consultant many organisations would ask if I could assist them in their NVQ requirements. It was in 2023 that I joined forces with Graham Smith, and we set up GSM Highways to further assist the Highway electrical sector.
In my spare time I enjoy traveling around the globe and in the UK in my campervan with my wife. I have run many marathons, my favourite being the Snowdonia marathon and completed ultra marathons. I am also volunteer Mentor and work with Care after combat, an Armed forces charity where we help Veterans that have come into contact with the Justice system.