As 2024 draws to a close, we at RI Cruden Ltd reflect on a year of growth, innovation, and progress. From expanding our team to achieving significant milestones in sustainability and community engagement, this year has been one to remember.

Growing Our Team 

Our workforce grew from 55 employees in 2023 to 65 in 2024, marking an 18% increase. This growth reflects the success of our award-winning apprenticeship program and our commitment to investing in people. Our apprentices continue to set new benchmarks, and in 2024, we were proud to introduce an Apprentice of the Year award, recognising those who embody our core values of quality, innovation, and teamwork. Presented by our founder, Ian Cruden, the inaugural award was a highlight of the year. Congratulations to Joe Embelton in our Mechanical team for becoming the first winning of the award.  

To honour the commitment and dedication of our team to train our talented apprentices we introduced a mentor of the year award – congratulations to Lukas Baranski also in the Mechanical team for winning this award.  

Our apprentices continued to stand out at national level with Struan Coli winning Inverness Electrical apprentices of the year following in the footsteps of Michael Vass from the year previous.  

And Jude MacAskill wining the Renewable apprentice of the year award for Scotland making it back to back wins for RI Cruden apprentices in this category after Finlay Calder won in 2023.  

Delivering Key Projects 

This year, we successfully completed several significant projects: 

  • The Beatrice Substation M&E project was finalised, showcasing our capabilities in delivering complex mechanical and electrical installations within the energy translon sector.  
  • The Clyde Bridge electrical installation was completed, further solidifying our reputation for excellence in large-scale infrastructure projects. 
  • Strathconon Primary School – renovation and extension project with Morrison Construction and Highland Council. 
  • Inverness Castle and Town House Energy Centre – installing 500kW of Air Source Heat pumps to supply the existing town house and the new Inverness Castle.  
  • Continuing to support John Clark Motor Group with their Net zero translon with adding solar PV and battery storage to another 4 sites in Aberdeen, Elgin and Edinburgh.

Advancing Sustainability 

Sustainability remains at the heart of everything we do. In 2024, we: 

  • Expanded our commercial solar PV offerings, emphasising the untapped potential of roof spaces across Scotland. We showcased our expertise, developed over more than a decade, and highlighted the long-term ROI of solar energy solutions tailored to each client’s needs.

Supported local communities in Golspie, Kirkhill, Skye and Kiltarlity transitioning to low-carbon heating, installing solar panels, battery storage, and air source heat pumps with funding from Business Energy Scotland. This project exemplifies our ability to deliver holistic solutions that benefit both the environment and local communities. 

  • Reduced supply chain emissions through the introduction of a procurement improvement drive to hold more materials on site with box trailer sand containers to reduce the amount of supplier deliveries and minimising delays. 

Enhancing Community and Industry Engagement 

This year, we strengthened our ties with the community and the wider industry: 

  • In February with were a headline sponsor for the Developing Young Work Force Green Energy Careers  EXPO at Alness academy.  
  • We hosted a series of CPD events for architects and consultants, keeping them informed about the latest renewable energy technologies. 
  • Our sponsorship of Danny Kelly, a long-standing member of our team, showcased our dedication to celebrating the achievements of our employees both on and off the field. Danny’s representation of Scotland in the shinty-hurling international match against Ireland was a proud moment for us all. 
  • We held our own Golf Day, raising £6500 for the Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity, a cause close to our hearts. 
  • We proudly sponsored the Sustainability Award at the Highland Business Awards—the very award we won last year for our pioneering efforts. 
  • We were also a sponsor of the Highland Construction Dinner, further supporting the construction community in the region. 
  • We sponsored the under 17 Camanachd Association teams trip to face Ireland in July.  

Recognitions and Achievements 

We are thrilled to have been named SME Employer of the Year at the Scottish Apprenticeship Awards in March, a testament to our commitment to nurturing talent and creating opportunities for the next generation of skilled professionals. Greg Matheson our apprentice manager, Mentor of they year and Cosima Lomax, Net Zero apprentice of the year, were also finalists at the awards but unfortunately didn’t win on this occasion  

Looking Ahead to 2025 

As we plan for the year ahead, we remain focused on: 

  • Driving innovation in renewable energy and facilities management. 
  • Continuing to expand our offering for Mechanical and Electrical projects.  
  • Supporting businesses on their net-zero journeys. 
  • Continuing to invest in our people, with a particular focus on our award-winning apprentice program.  

We are grateful to our clients, partners, and employees for making 2024 a year of remarkable achievements. Together, we look forward to building on this momentum and creating an even brighter future in 2025. 

From all of us at RI Cruden, thank you for your continued support, and we wish you a prosperous New Year!