In our latest instalment of MOW Unplugged, we sit down with Colin Gray, founder of Concept Consulting Engineers, to uncover the story behind his career, his approach to challenges, and the principles that guide his work and life. From humble beginnings to mentoring the next generation of engineers, Colin’s journey is both inspirational and refreshingly honest.

Finding His Path

Colin’s path into structural engineering wasn’t exactly planned. “I left school and had loads of crap jobs,” he laughs, recalling stints fixing vending machines and working at a B&Q equivalent. “There was no aspiration in my house to go to college or uni. I was clever enough but lazy – just laughing the day away.”

It was his now-wife and her family who encouraged him to think bigger. “They said, ‘You’re smart, why are you doing these crap jobs?’” This nudge led Colin to a BTEC in Building Studies, where he encountered a lecturer who made structural engineering click. From there, Colin steadily progressed, eventually earning his degree and becoming a chartered engineer. “I kind of fell into it by mistake, but I found something that suits me.”

“There’s creativity, problem-solving – and every day is different”

The Leap to Entrepreneurship

Starting his own business was a bold step, but Colin had confidence from previous experience. After helping to establish a new regional office for another company, he thought, “Bollocks to this, I’m going to do it myself.” He had built strong client relationships and felt ready to go it alone.

Growing up, Colin had seen entrepreneurship in action. His dad ran a haulage company, his stepdad was a self-employed builder, and his mum always had side hustles. “They gave me a work ethic,” he says. While his first business flourished, it wasn’t without challenges. A fast growth trajectory, combined with the impact of a recession, led to failure. “It went badly wrong,” he admits, “but I learned a lot from it.”

Colin is now running a streamlined version of his business, embracing organic growth and focusing on quality over quantity.

Lessons from Failure

One of Colin’s biggest challenges came not from engineering but from a litigation battle connected to his wife’s education business. “It was probably the most stressful thing we’ve ever been through as a family,” he says. The legal wrangling left everyone worse off – apart from the lawyers. “That’s one of the biggest lessons I’ve learned: avoid lawyers at all costs. Sit down, talk it out early, and don’t let it escalate.”

He’s also learned the importance of pacing growth. “It’s easy to get caught up in chasing growth because that’s what everyone says you should do,” he reflects. “But slow and steady works just as well, and it’s far less stressful.”

Building the Next Generation

For Colin, his proudest achievements aren’t the projects he’s worked on but the people he’s mentored. “I’ve put three students through university – good lads who might never have gone down that route otherwise,” he says. “Two have gone on to have great careers, and one’s working with me now”.

“That’s what success is for me – seeing them achieve”

This commitment to nurturing talent has shaped Colin’s future plans for his business. Instead of chasing rapid expansion, he’s building a “football academy” model, taking on apprentices every couple of years and creating a homegrown team. “You can mould them,” he explains. “They learn our ways, our values, and they fit the culture.”

Words of Wisdom

Colin credits much of his resilience to his interest in stoicism. “It helps me with work and life,” he says. A mantra he lives by is, ‘Be hard on yourself and tolerant of others.’ “It reminds me to push myself but also be kind to others – you never know what they’re going through.”

Another favourite is ‘Ego is the enemy.’ For Colin, humility and the ability to learn from mistakes are key to running a successful business. “I always tell my kids, don’t do things with ego. Stay grounded.”

A Life of Balance

Outside of work, Colin’s passions are simple: travelling, spending time with family and friends, and the occasional round of golf or football. “Travelling with my wife is the best,” he says, though he jokes about not wanting to pay for his grown-up kids to join in.

As for connecting with Colin, he keeps it old school. “Pick up the phone,” he says with a grin, though he’s also active on LinkedIn.

Final Thoughts

Colin Gray’s story is a testament to perseverance, adaptability, and staying true to your values. From his unplanned entry into engineering to mentoring future leaders and overcoming significant challenges, Colin embodies the resilience and creativity that make entrepreneurs stand out. His journey reminds us that success isn’t just about growth or profits – it’s about the impact you have on others along the way.