Right from its beginnings, quantity surveying company Barnes Beagley Doherr (BBD) has had a strong Keystone connection.
But its decade-long sponsorship ties go way back before that, says BBD founding director David Doherr. In one name or another: “We’ve been behind Keystone for almost as long as its existence.”
He explains that the family tree started around 2000 when Knapman Clark – later Davis Langdon Knapman Clark – held a Keystone sponsorship role. That relationship was maintained when the business name fully morphed into Davis Langdon. (David and fellow BBD founding directors Scott Beagley and Simon Barnes were all Davis Langdon directors; fellow BBD director Robyn Montgomery was an associate at Davis Langdon.)
When Scott Beagley and David Doherr, together with Simon Barnes, decided to strike out on their own and start their own new company, there was never any question of leaving Keystone behind.
The motivation has always been the same. “Obviously, there’s that philanthropic, feel-good feeling, and it’s always good to give back,” says David. But it’s much more. “The relationship provides a great spread across the construction industry. You see these young and fresh and keen young people, and that joy just continues.”
To illustrate, just take a look at the current staff line-up. Three of the team – all Keystone alumni – have been with BBD since being taken on as part-time workers during their university years. Those roles carried on to fulltime jobs on graduation, and Faith Chimhundu, David Kim and Amy Charlesworth are now senior quantity surveyors with the company.
As a Key Scholarship Partner, BBD has offered a scholarship every year, and even when times are more challenging, there’s a determination to maintain that association, says David.
It pays dividends all round. “We have a common goal and we’re all looking out for each other. We’re giving back to the industry and helping those that really need the help.”
The business connections and networking groups provided through the trust are invaluable for businesses and students alike, he adds. That link is maintained through the trust’s alumni group, which ensures a continuity of connection through the years.
BBD has been behind some impressive projects – the recently completed Air New Zealand hangar number 4 among them. It’s the largest single-span timber arch aircraft hangar in the southern hemisphere and has been described as setting a new precedent for aviation infrastructure that is both resilient and climate-positive. It’s that sort of project that you can’t help but get enthused about. But the students he’s seen equally deserve admiration. “Because of where they’ve come from and how they come to us, they’re very keen to work hard and do well and progress. I’m in awe of some of them.” The selection process can be quite challenging – and even those that legitimately qualify for a scholarship may not make the final cut. David shares that on occasion his own family trust has contributed to ensure they get the support they need.
The way he sees it, the ties between Keystone and his business are unbreakable.”Because we’ve done it for so long we’re part of an overall family and we’re very proud to belong. Keystone is the only such trust that’s so comprehensive and well-managed, and as long as I’m director, we will continue to sponsor them.”
