Christmas Spotlight: Chris Heffernan

As we near the end of a landmark year following the gradual return to ‘normality’ post-Covid, we grab 60 reflective seconds with Chris Heffernan, director, at MPG, in an exclusive for the p.ublished group of online newspapers…

1. After a difficult time for many businesses during the pandemic, what was your primary objective at the start of the year?

We were fortunate that the construction industry stayed busy throughout most of the pandemic, so our objective at the start of the year was recruiting to meet the demands of the sector.

2. Looking back on 2022, what have been the 3 biggest highlights for MPG?

Numerous major minerals and waste planning permissions secured across the UK.
Success as expert witnesses on behalf of local authorities in court.
Collaborating with the Institute of Quarrying on its mineral planning course.

3. And the most difficult challenge for your business?

Recruitment.

4. If you had to sum up 2022 in one word, which would you use?

Varied.

5. What’s MPG’s key goal for next year?

We are making a name for ourselves in renewables planning, so building on this aspect of our service is key. Our experience across all planning disciplines made the transition easy and our clients can now come to us for the complete package.

6. Name another Northern firm that hope will have an outstanding year in 2023…

Booth Ventures are phenomenal at what they do across a broad spectrum of services – from their remediation teams and site operations including quarrying, through to their major leisure schemes.

7. How do you think the regional business climate will fare overall?

It’s difficult to say, as large parts of the construction sector are still reeling from the Government’s current handling of housing targets and the global economic slowdown generally. As a result, there are nerves in the sector and how the construction industry fares is an indicator for the economy as a whole.

Having said that, I think the industry will keep calm and carry on as it did throughout the pandemic – growing when everything pointed to a contraction, powering the wider economy’s recovery.

8. It’s perhaps the first opportunity to celebrate a ‘real’ Christmas post-Covid – what will it look like for you?

I have a four-month-old so I cannot wait to spoil them rotten and I’m positive their grandparents feel the same way!

9. What’s the worst Christmas gift you’ve ever been given?

I can honestly say I have never had a bad Christmas present – I am so easy to please. I was once bought an acapella version of a Jay-Z album which was a bit confusing for the first 15 minutes though…

10. Describe Christmas at your house, in three words

Chilled, stuffed, and happy.