McBains
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Capabilities
  • Sectors
  • Projects
  • Our People
  • Crown Commercial Service (CCS) Framework
  • Careers
  • News
  • Contact
Recent Projects
  • Midland Metropolitan University Hospital PFI
    Midland Metropolitan University Hospital PFI View Case Study
  • Pevensey Bay Sea Defence Scheme
    Pevensey Bay Sea Defence Scheme View Case Study
  • Glenvale Park Phase 2
    Glenvale Park Phase 2 View Case Study
  • Alexandra Road, Corby
    Alexandra Road, Corby View Case Study
  • Paddington Square
    Paddington Square View Case Study
  • Graduate Hotels
    Graduate Hotels View Case Study
  • News

Associate Director Tim Harden Celebrates Fifty Years with McBains

Tim Harden recently celebrated his golden anniversary with McBains; having joined the firm straight from school in November 1971 as a Trainee Quantity Surveyor.

When Tim first joined the business at the tender age of 18 on a wage of just £40 per month, there was not a computer in sight and hand-held calculators were yet to be invented. He and his colleagues were required to produce huge, tome-like bills of quantities, the calculations for which had to be done by hand or on giant comptometers the size of cash registers.

The role of the quantity surveyor was made even more challenging in 1971 by the transition of the UK’s currency system from pounds, shillings and pence to the current decimal system.

Tim commented: “Advancements in technology, software, procurement methods and forms of contract have made my role more efficient over the years but there’s still one thing that I miss from my early days and that’s the tea lady and her biscuit-laden trolley!”

A uniquely varied project history has kept Tim’s role interesting and his passion for the industry alive. His diverse client base has included the likes of military airports, the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority, the National Rivers Authority, Evans Halshaw, Care UK, Barclays Bank, Access Storage, Natwest and the Royal Berkshire NHS Trust.

Quite uniquely, Tim’s work with the National Rivers Authority took him along almost every stretch of the Thames and even beneath the Thames Barrier.

Between 1998 and 2003 Tim provided cost consultancy and project management services to the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) for the decommissioning of nuclear facilities at their Harwell site.

Tim commented: “I have especially fond memories of my time at Harwell. It was a great team to work with and truly ground-breaking work, which I was incredibly grateful to be involved with.

When asked what Tim has enjoyed most about his work and career, he replied that it was the variety of projects and his love of people.

“I’ve always loved meeting new people and working with different personalities. I’ve never encountered anyone that I didn’t like in my fifty years in the industry. That’s not to say there haven’t been some difficult characters but you find a way to get on with them,” said Tim.

11th November 2021

You might be interested in...

McBains makes series of promotions to support growth of business

McBains makes series of promotions to support growth of business

01st July 2025

We’re pleased to announce a new round of promotions that includes eight management-level appointments: comprising two new Directors, one Project Director, and five Associate Directors.

McBains Celebrates Centuries of Collective Excellence

McBains Celebrates Centuries of Collective Excellence

20th June 2025

This year is a hugely significant year for McBains, as 2025 marks the major anniversary of not one, but both, of the firm’s founding companies. Quite remarkably, it's been 240 years since the establishment of Henry Cooper & Sons in 1785, whilst McBains (in its original entity) was founded an entire century ago in 1925.

PROPERTY WEEK: A New Course for University Assets

PROPERTY WEEK: A New Course for University Assets

02nd June 2025

We’re pleased to share that Mark Leeson, Operations Director at McBains, has been featured in Property Week, offering expert insight into how universities can take a more strategic approach to managing and optimising their estates.

McBains shortlisted for Life Sciences & Research Clusters Award

McBains shortlisted for Life Sciences & Research Clusters Award

22nd May 2025

McBains has been shortlisted for a Life Sciences and Research Clusters Award, as part of the conference run by Construction News and Property Week.

Sussex Cancer Centre given green light by planners

Sussex Cancer Centre given green light by planners

15th May 2025

The next phase of the Brighton Trauma, Teaching and Tertiary Care (3Ts) redevelopment at the Royal Sussex County Hospital was granted planning permission last week, signalling the green light for the new Sussex Cancer Centre and marking a significant milestone in the transformation of cancer care across the region.

McBains ESG Team Shortlisted for ESG Team of the Year Award

McBains ESG Team Shortlisted for ESG Team of the Year Award

16th April 2025

The McBains ESG team has been shortlisted for ‘ESG Team of the Year’ as part of the Unlock Net Zero Awards, which seek to celebrate individual and organisational contributions to a carbon free future for the UK housing sector.

McBains Explains

Get the latest insights from McBains and industry news to your inbox each month.

By submitting your email address you are agreeing to us storing your data for the purpose of sending you a newsletter.

Explore McBains

  • Crown Commercial Service (CCS) Framework
  • Architecture
  • Asset Management Consultancy
  • Building Services Engineering
  • Building Surveying
  • Civil & Structural Engineering
  • Masterplanning & Urban Design
  • Project Management
  • Project Monitoring & Due Diligence
  • Quantity Surveying
  • Sustainability & ESG
  • Employer's Agent
  • Digital Engineering (BIM)
  • Dispute Resolution
  • Principal Designer / CDM Advisor
  • Education
  • Financial
  • Healthcare
  • Heritage
  • Hotels & Leisure
  • Housing & Masterplanning
  • Industrial
  • Motor Retail
  • Offices
  • Police & Custodial
  • Private Residential
  • Public Sector
  • Retail
  • Social Housing
  • Transport
  • Urban Regeneration

© 2025 McBains – Privacy Policy – Modern Slavery Statement

Brand by David Carroll & Co . Design by Mutual & CIB