Dowds Group

15/10/2026

𝗕𝗲𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗲𝘅𝗰𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗲𝘅𝗰𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲.

One week on from our Dowds Forum, we’re reflecting on the months of planning, creativity and extraordinary commitment from the people and partners who brought 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘌𝘯𝘷𝘪𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘴 𝘞𝘦 𝘊𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦.

We set out to create something different, and were fortunate to work with people who embraced that ambition wholeheartedly.
To our speakers and panellists, 𝗗𝗿 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗲 𝗥𝗼𝘂𝘅, 𝗠𝗲𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗲 𝗗𝗮𝘄𝘀𝗼𝗻, 𝗗𝗿 𝗘𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗮 𝗠𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗼 𝗔𝘀𝗽 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗥𝗼𝗻 𝗜𝗺𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗸, thank you for your depth, honesty and fresh perspectives, and for inspiring constructive conversations about the future of our industry.

To our brilliant speaker and facilitator 𝗚𝗶𝗻𝗮 𝗟𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗼𝗻, thank you for your energy, insight and warmth, and to 𝗪𝗮𝘆𝗻𝗲 𝗛𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘄𝗮𝘆 𝗠𝗕𝗘, whose thought-provoking reflections provided a fitting close to the day.

To our event partners, who helped make it all possible:

A special thank you to Manifesto Growth Architects, whose creativity and guidance were invaluable from shaping the vision to delivering the experience. We genuinely couldn't have done it without you.

To MAD Colour, thank you for transforming our concepts into something spectacular. Your creativity, responsiveness and willingness to find a solution to everything made you a pleasure to work with.

To Festival Productions and Convery Lighting, thank you for the exceptional AV, sound and lighting production. Particular thanks to our own Oran Watson for his dedication and coordination behind the scenes.

To Motive Peak and Signature Photography, thank you for capturing the energy, atmosphere and genuine connections from the day so beautifully.

To The Culloden Estate & Spa, what a setting and what a team! Special thanks to Michelle Wells and the events, reception, catering and wider hotel teams for their first-class service and care from planning to final departure.

To the talented 𝗔𝗿𝗰𝗼 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀, thank you for bringing such an elegant atmosphere to the evening, and to Shortcross Gin and Wh***ey for the fantastic pop-up bar.

And, for everyone asking about our magnificent sustainable paper furniture, thank you to Paper Lounge for bringing this part of our vision to life!

Thank you also to Identity Travel for expertly coordinating our guests' journeys from across the UK and beyond, and to Kudos Executive Transfer for providing such a professional and seamless airport transfer service.

A special mention to Brian Cunning and Malachy Molloy, who were on hand at the airports to welcome our guests and oversee their onward journeys. Your dedication, organisation and warm welcome ensured everyone was looked after from the moment they arrived in Northern Ireland.

To our specialist supply chain partners 𝟭𝗕𝗜𝗠, 𝗪𝗵𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗰𝗿𝗼𝗳𝘁 𝗟𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴, 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗻𝗸 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗣𝗔𝗠 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴, thank you for showcasing your products, expertise and innovation within our exhibition zones, adding another dimension to the day's conversations.

𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘌𝘯𝘷𝘪𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘴 𝘞𝘦 𝘊𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘦 was more than a theme for the Forum. It was reflected in the care, creativity, generosity and commitment of everyone who made it possible.

We set out to raise the bar, and together created something that exceeded our expectations.

𝗧𝗼 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝘄𝗵𝗼 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘆𝗲𝗱 𝗮 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁, 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗸 𝘆𝗼𝘂. 𝗬𝗼𝘂'𝘃𝗲 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗽𝗲𝗱 𝘀𝗲𝘁 𝗮 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗿𝗱, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘄𝗲'𝗿𝗲 𝗲𝘅𝗰𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝘁.

08/10/2026

𝗧𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗱𝗮𝘆: 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗘𝗻𝘃𝗶𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗪𝗲 𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 ✨

The doors are open, the coffee is flowing and the room is filling up

Today is about more than a day of talks.

It’s about working collectively as an industry to drive greater change, together.

Thank you to everyone who has joined us, the best events are shaped by the people in them, so bring your questions, your challenges and your curiosity.

Let's get started. 👏

📸 Signature Photography

28/09/2026

🎉 𝗔 𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗺 𝘄𝗲𝗹𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗱𝘂𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗵𝗼𝗿𝘁!

We’re delighted to welcome six new graduates to the business today as they begin the next chapter of their careers with us.

With colleagues based across our offices and sites, our new graduates will spend the coming weeks getting to know the business, meeting colleagues and settling into their new roles.

Through the Dowds Academy, we’re committed to supporting their growth with opportunities for learning, mentorship and skills development, helping them build the knowledge and experience to thrive in their careers and grow alongside the business.

Our Head of People & Culture, Rob Rees, said:

“𝗪𝗲’𝗿𝗲 𝗲𝘅𝗰𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺 𝗼𝗻 𝗯𝗼𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝗱𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁, 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝘀𝗸𝗶𝗹𝗹𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝗲𝗲𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆’𝗹𝗹 𝗯𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺”

Welcome to the team, and here’s to an exciting journey ahead! 👏

17/09/2026

𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗛𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗲𝘆 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽

It was great to welcome Rayn Joseph-Smith and Mehrad Garshasbi to our Ballymena HQ as they begin 20 weeks working alongside our teams in London on the Haringey Civic Centre project.

Rayn and Mehrad are BIM and QS apprentices and are two of nine apprentices we have committed to supporting over the duration of the project, in partnership with John Sisk & Son Ltd.

For us, this is what social value should look like in practice.

Major projects create opportunities far beyond the buildings themselves. By creating meaningful routes into the industry, we can help young people gain practical experience, develop their skills and build confidence in a live project environment, while also strengthening the future talent pipeline our industry depends on.

Their time in Ballymena gave Rayn and Mehrad the chance to meet teams across the business and see how our projects are supported from design through to delivery before heading back to London for the next stage of their placement.

Pictured with our CEO, Louise McClelland, Rayn and Mehrad are a great example of how projects can create lasting opportunities for the communities in which we work.

We’re proud to be working with John Sisk & Son Ltd to help turn that opportunity into meaningful experience and future careers.

09/06/2026

𝗔𝗪𝗔𝗥𝗘 𝗡𝗜 - 𝟯𝟬𝘁𝗵 𝗔𝗡𝗡𝗜𝗩𝗘𝗥𝗦𝗔𝗥𝗬

Dowds are delighted to sponsor AWARE NI 30th anniversary exhibition, 𝘓𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘢𝘵 𝘔𝘦 𝘕𝘰𝘸, which shares 30 powerful real-life stories highlighting hope, resilience, and positive life change.

The exhibition runs from 25–27 June at the Golden Thread Gallery in Belfast. We encourage you to visit and join us in celebrating 30 years of AWARE NI’s incredible work within our community, supporting people affected by mental ill health.

To mark 30 years of AWARE NI, we're opening the doors to Look at Me Now – a powerful exhibition that shares the real-life experiences of people whose lives have been touched by mental ill-health.

Yet through peer support, connection, and resilience… they have all found hope 💛

Please join us as we celebrate 30 stories for 30 years, sharing lived experience testimonies, poetry, and photography.

📍 Golden Thread Gallery, Queen Street, Belfast
📅 Thursday 25 to Saturday 27 June
🎟️ Free admission (no booking required)

For more information, visit our 30th web page: https://aware-ni.org/aware-30

GoldenThread Gallery | Arts Council of Northern Ireland

08/06/2026

𝗚𝗜𝗔𝗡𝗧 𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗣𝗦, 𝗕𝗜𝗚 𝗜𝗠𝗣𝗔𝗖𝗧: 𝗗𝗢𝗪𝗗𝗦 𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗣𝗟𝗘𝗧𝗘𝗦 𝗔𝗪𝗔𝗥𝗘 𝗡𝗜’𝗦 𝗚𝗜𝗔𝗡𝗧 𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗣𝗦 𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗟𝗟𝗘𝗡𝗚𝗘 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 💛

We're delighted to share that our team successfully completed the AWARE NI 𝗚𝗶𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗽𝘀 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗲 along Northern Ireland's spectacular Causeway Coast.

Covering 13 miles from Carrick-a-Rede to Portballintrae, the team took on dramatic cliff paths, stunning coastal scenery, and plenty of steps all in support of an incredibly important cause.

By participating in 𝗚𝗶𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗽𝘀, our colleagues have helped raise vital funds for AWARE NI, supporting their free, peer-led services for people living with depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder. These services provide a crucial lifeline to individuals and families across Northern Ireland.

A huge thank you to everyone who took part, donated, and supported the team throughout the challenge. Your generosity and encouragement helped make a real difference.

We're incredibly proud of the team for their commitment, determination, and fundraising efforts, and we're grateful to AWARE NI for organising such a fantastic event.

02/06/2026

𝗚𝗜𝗩𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗕𝗔𝗖𝗞 𝗧𝗢 𝗢𝗨𝗥 𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗠𝗨𝗡𝗜𝗧𝗬 🌿

On Thursday 28th May, a team of 11 Dowds volunteers enjoyed fantastic weather as they spent the day refreshing and replanting 12 patient patio areas at Northern Ireland Hospice in Belfast, helping to create welcoming outdoor spaces ready for the summer months.

The day was incredibly rewarding, and the positive feedback from the Hospice team highlighted just how much these improvements will mean to patients and their families. Creating comfortable, peaceful outdoor environments can make a real difference, providing spaces where patients and loved ones can spend valuable time together.

We are immensely proud of our colleagues who volunteered their time to support such an important local charity. Their enthusiasm, teamwork, and commitment to giving back reflect the values that are so important to our business.

A huge thank you to everyone involved, and to the team at Northern Ireland Hospice for the opportunity to contribute to the incredible work they do every day.

20/05/2026

𝗖𝗘𝗟𝗘𝗕𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗢𝗨𝗥 𝗥𝗜𝗣𝗣𝗟𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗥𝗢𝗟𝗟𝗢𝗨𝗧 𝗪𝗜𝗧𝗛 𝗔 𝗦𝗨𝗥𝗣𝗥𝗜𝗦𝗘 𝗘𝗨𝗥𝗢𝗣𝗘𝗔𝗡 𝗚𝗘𝗧𝗔𝗪𝗔𝗬 ✈️

What better way to celebrate the rollout of our new HR system Rippling, than with a surprise weekend-away giveaway ✈️

Throughout April, we set a challenge on Rippling for our team with the chance to win a fully paid European city break.

Yesterday Rob Rees, our Head of People & Culture, travelled to our London office to surprise the winner in person alongside Shauna Burns from Identity Travel, who sponsored this fabulous prize!

A brilliant moment to capture, and even better to see the engagement and enthusiasm from teams across the business as we continue investing in smarter systems and better employee experiences.

Big thanks to everyone who took part and congratulations again to our winner 👏

🎥 Motive Peak

19/05/2026

𝗘𝗠𝗣𝗟𝗢𝗬𝗘𝗥 𝗢𝗙 𝗖𝗛𝗢𝗜𝗖𝗘 𝗙𝗜𝗡𝗔𝗟𝗜𝗦𝗧𝗦 ✨

We’re proud to share that we have been shortlisted as a finalist in the 𝗘𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗼𝘆𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝗖𝗵𝗼𝗶𝗰𝗲 category of the Business in the Community Northern Ireland 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗕𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱𝘀 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲.

This recognition reflects the incredible people across our organisation who help create a positive, supportive and inclusive workplace every day.

For more information visit: www.bitcni.org.uk/awards

15/05/2026

𝗧𝗔𝗞𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗧𝗜𝗠𝗘 𝗧𝗢 𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗡𝗘𝗖𝗧 𝗧𝗛𝗜𝗦 𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗔𝗟 𝗛𝗘𝗔𝗟𝗧𝗛 𝗔𝗪𝗔𝗥𝗘𝗡𝗘𝗦𝗦 𝗪𝗘𝗘𝗞 💚

This week at Dowds, we marked Mental Health Awareness Week with a series of events focused on connection, wellbeing, and supporting one another. 💚

From a morning hike up Slemish Mountain with some of our Northern Ireland colleagues, followed by breakfast together at Head Office in Ballymena, to our London team taking part in the Introba Fun Run in Holborn, it was great to see so many people getting involved and making time to connect outside of the day-to-day.

We also hosted a session focused on Mental Health Awareness, featuring special guest speaker Jo McAlister. Jo shared insightful guidance on rewiring the beliefs that hold us back and resetting burnout, anxiety, and self-doubt encouraging open conversations around mental wellbeing and personal growth.

To round off the week, we encouraged all staff whether on site or in the office to take a little extra time to connect over a cuppa. Sometimes the smallest conversations can make the biggest difference.

A huge thank you to everyone who participated throughout the week and helped make these events meaningful. Supporting mental health starts with creating space for openness, connection, and community not just this week, but every day.