In writing this editorial I feel very proud that the company has entered its 20th year of trading. One of my colleagues told me that 75% of all new companies go out of business within 10 years, so I feel I must have done something right!

A lot has happened over the years. We have grown to a company of not only national repute, but we are fast gaining our wings as international consultants. January 1997 has seen the opening of our first office in India, in New Delhi. In the previous month, a team from Trett, including myself, undertook a series of seminars on construction topics in Madras and Bombay I was impressed with how well trained construction professionals are in India and the commitment of companies to the ongoing personal development of their staff. It is an example of "investment in people" that needs to be followed in the UK. We were so well received by our hosts that I truly envy my colleague, Tony Fletcher, in his task of building up our business there.
Over the 20 years, our services have developed in line with changes in the industry and in the law. The role of the expert in litigation and arbitration is now very important. I like to think we are the premier firm for expert witness work on quantum and planning matters, but I know there are a number of other very experienced individuals and organisations as well; which is good because it means we have to keep advancing the skills of our staff as well as developing our techniques of analysis.

I have always been keen to keep abreast of technology; I can boast that everyone in the company now has a computer on his/her desk (whether they know how to switch it on or not!) and all our offices possess the most up-to-date integrated business software and e-mail and Internet access, as well as powerful project management and planning software and scanning facilities.

With such advanced communication facilities, you would imagine I now work 5 days-a-week at my own office in Great Yarmouth. But construction and engineering is a people - business and the nature of its problems requires a close understanding of the parties relationships and the individuals involved. That is why our staff are forever mobile - a fact that I cannot see changing during the next 20 years.

We now have over 60 in our multi-disciplined team, which includes civil and mechanical engineers, construction managers, mathematicians, planners, computer whiz kids and of course, quantity surveyors. In fact, our QS compliment has been significantly strengthened recently. Malcolm Trusler, previously Group Chief QS with Laing Plc has joined us to develop our business in London and the South East, and David Carrick, this year's President of The Institution of Civil Engineering Surveyors, has joined us to pursue our work in Scotland.

To bring you fully up to date with events, in December we changed our trading name to Trett Consulting. I believe the change helps reflect the more comprehensive range of services we provide to an ever growing list of clients, and the range of projects never ceases to amaze me; recent commissions have involved the manufacture of trains, conversion of ships, undersea post -lay trenching and open cast mining.

In these 20 years, I estimate I have travelled well over 1 million business miles. It takes its toll of course (I used to have jet black hair!), but the interest I and my colleagues have in our work keeps us going. That is why I say the company is 20 years young, and I am keenly looking forward to the millennium.

Please forgive me if I have been a little indulgent in this editorial, but at least you can be confident that you will not here again from me in this fashion until 2007. I promise.

Finally, I must not end without mentioning my many and sincere thanks to the clients who have been confident in our abilities and given us work these past 20 years and to my colleagues, for their loyalty and commitment to the company.