People
Meet the Team Behind AKD – Over 35 Years of Electrical Expertise
At the heart of AKD is a dedicated, highly skilled team that has driven our success for more than three decades. Since our founding in 1989, we’ve built a reputation across Scotland and the UK for delivering quality electrical contracting services – and it’s our people who make that possible.
From our experienced project managers and estimators to our fully qualified electricians, site supervisors, and quantity surveyors, every member of the AKD team brings deep knowledge, professionalism, and pride to their work. From start to finish we get the job done – overseeing complex commercial installations, managing industrial upgrades, ensuring compliance with the latest safety standards. Our team has the expertise to deliver – on time and to specification.
Backed by ongoing training, industry certifications, and a commitment to excellence, the AKD team is trusted by clients across Edinburgh, Glasgow, and beyond. We work collaboratively across all roles – from the office to the site – to provide a seamless service from planning to completion.
Decades of experience. A team that delivers. That’s the AKD difference.
Managing Director
Keith Groom
Year Joined & Starting Role
1995, started as an electrician, promoted to contracts manager, operations manager, operations director followed by Managing Director.
Past Experience
Paper boy then started my apprenticeship with John G Mackintosh, where I stayed to complete over 10 years’ service.
Favourite AKD Project
Far too many to list but I particularly enjoyed my time going around the UK & Ireland during our long-standing relationship with a newspaper distribution company, meeting some great people and sharing in a few laughs.
Best thing about your current position
Visiting sites, meeting up with new & old clients and colleagues, seeing the quality that we produce on a daily basis.
Director
Barry Hunter
Year Joined & Starting Role
2017 – Commercial Manager
Favourite AKD Project
One of my favourite projects I was involved with was the refurbishment of the David Livingston Birthplace Museum in Blantyre. Seeing the museum come together as a space for education, reflection and national pride whilst paying tribute to one of the most significant figures in African and Scottish history was incredibly fulfilling and remains a highlight of my professional career.
Best thing about your current position
As a company director, the best part of my role is having the ability to shape the vision and direction of AKD. Being in this position allows me to mentor and empower the AKD team, fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation and accountability. Ultimately, it’s the combination of responsibility, influence and the opportunity to drive meaningful change that makes the role so fulfilling.
Associate Director - Estimating
Adrian Parkinson
Year Joined & Starting Role
2020 – Estimator
2023 – Senior Estimator
Favourite AKD Project
Clarendon House, George Street, Edinburgh.
£1m+ base build electrical services over 5 storeys, for contemporary Grade A office accommodation in the city centre. Diverse installation with its matt black exposed services, circadian lighting, etc. achieving BREEAM excellent.
Best thing about your current position
Every day is different! Each project is a new challenge. Estimating is like solving a puzzle. Finding efficient, cost-effective solutions while collaborating with engineers, suppliers, and sub-contractors. Analysing a project’s requirements and finding the best way to meet the client’s needs within budget.
Quantity Surveyor
Julie Hunter
Year Joined & Starting Role
Joined in April 2018 as an Estimator and Quantity Surveyor while studying full time for a degree in Quantity Surveying. The company vision was to have a dedicated Quantity Surveyor looking after the costing, commercial and legal aspects of construction contracts. Background as a Commercial and Business Analyst meant management reporting has become part of the role.
Favourite AKD Project
Setting up and managing a Cost Management System that centralised our data and allows AKD to effectively manage our application and payment processes, suppliers, subcontractors, timesheets, labour and job costing has been one of the most positive and challenging projects at AKD. Managing the way we process our information ensures we are compliant, effective and building robust processes and systems for the future. Being a former designer my spreadsheets are often as colourful as they are functional.
Best thing about your current position
As a Quantity Surveyor I enjoy collaborating with Main Contractors and Specialist Subcontractors, building great working relationships and strengthening business relationships. The team here are fantastic to work with and I am lucky to be able to carry out a variety of roles within the business.
Senior Contracts Manager
Steven Macdougall
Year Joined & Starting Role
2017 – Electrician/Site foreman
Favourite AKD Project
Since joining the AKD family, I’ve had the pleasure of contributing to many projects, but one that truly stands out to me is the SSE Hydro hospitality lounge project we completed in 2019.
Best thing about your current position
The best thing about my current position is the opportunity to be involved in a wide variety of projects. This not only allows me to broaden my skills and experiences but also gives me the chance to interact with and learn from different people across the company as well as external contractors and clients. I really enjoy building those connections and collaborating with others to achieve our goals.
Contracts Manager
Paul Flockhart
Year Joined & Starting Role
2000 – Data Engineer
Favourite AKD Project
Menzies Dublin
Contracts Manager
Kenny Blythe
Year Joined
Started in July 2020
Favourite AKD Project
Either Spire Global within the Skypark, new facilities for a company designing, manufacturing, and testing components for satellites in space- very technical installation, or Boturich Castle purpose built wedding venue for the luxurious finishes and hi specification products installed.
Estimator
Mark Ritchie
Year Joined & Starting Role
2020 – Site Supervisor
2024 – Estimator
Favourite AKD Project
The Engine Yard
Best thing about your current position
Office snowball fights
Buyer
Richard Fyfe
Year Joined
May 2016
Past Experience
I have been in the electrical industry for over forty years starting in 1983 with CEF an electrical wholesaler as a driver then into the Stores progressing onto become Store manager & Buyer before moving on in 1993 to JG MacIntosh an electrical contractor in a similar role Storeman, Buyer then becoming the office manger, I then had a spell with YESSS Electrical & Holland House (Electrical Wholesaler’s) before finally joining AKD Systems as their Buyer in 2016.
Favourite AKD Project
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