TFT Bristol Office reaches 20 year landmark

TFT is celebrating 20 years of business in Bristol, demonstrating its position as one of the UK’s leading commercial building and property consultancies, having been in the city's Queen Square since August 1990.

Opening for business on the day dismantling of the Berlin Wall began, TFT began building its base in the South West almost immediately. Of the three original employees, two are still with the company and the headcount now stands at 17. The team has also grown turnover by over 2000% from those early days and increased office space five-fold over the years.

Their horizons have expanded too. Their first job was in Gloucester Road, Bristol, and projects were managed as far away as Gloucester and Swindon in the first year. Today, the team handles international projects from Finland to France and Sweden to Spain. The future promises further evolution, continuing the shift from a technical role to providing wider consultancy services for a greater range of clients on a worldwide basis.

Strategic Growth Partner and head of the Bristol office, Paul Spaven, recalls: “When I was offered the partnership and the opportunity to set up the Bristol office by David Tuffin I asked him what he wanted me to do. 'Whatever you want to do' was the reply, and I have been taking advantage of that freedom ever since.

"This approach has allowed me to grow the business substantially, develop skills and capabilities within the Bristol office ahead of the market and create a diverse client base. Whilst my colleagues will tell you that the only things that have really changed are my narrow waist and broad mind, my own view is that we are and always will be a business with a strong Bristol connection but one with a wider outlook and business base that embraces the rest of the UK and increasingly, the rest of the world.”