Bio:
Gerard May B.Sc. (Hons) ICIOB
Group Managing Director, HMH Civils Ltd
Gerard May is one of the three founding directors behind HMH Civils Ltd, established in 2013 alongside John Hughes and Mick Hammond. Focusing on the operational and financial aspects of the company, Gerard’s strategic vision has been instrumental in guiding HMH from its modest origins in portacabins to becoming a key player across the North East, Yorkshire, and the Humber.
From Apprentice Joiner to Industry Leader
Gerard began his career in construction as an apprentice joiner. After qualifying, he advanced rapidly to site management and earned recognition for his exceptional build quality. At Barratt Homes, he served as Contracts Manager and later Construction Manager, leading his team to earn NHBC Pride in the Job and Seal of Excellence awards. Continuing at Miller Homes as Construction Director, Gerard achieved the North East Division’s first NHBC Pride in the Job award.
Transformational Leadership at HMH Civils
As Group Managing Director, Gerard has played a pivotal role in HMH’s trajectory. Within ten years, the company’s turnover soared from approximately £7 million to £40 million. By 2021, this figure had grown to £56 million under his co-leadership with John Hughes — they have since carefully moderated growth to maintain quality, stabilizing turnover at around £45 million.
Gerard’s approach balances efficiency with care: “We’re not really interested in driving the quantitative work for pure finance. HMH is all about quality and delivery. We go the extra mile to give our clients the services they deserve—providing the ‘wow’ factor,” he notes.
Values-Driven Culture & Community Impact
Under Gerard’s leadership, HMH continues to operate with a close-knit, respectful ethos—reflective of a values-based business. Employee retention remains high thanks to an environment that values care, professionalism, and mutual respect.
Charitable action is also a core part of the company’s identity. Gerard himself raised £5,000 by participating in a CEO sleepout for the Red Sky Foundation. Meanwhile, HMH regularly supports other causes such as autism charities, GNAAS, Cheesy Waffles Project and Red Sky Foundation. Later this year (Nov 25) Gerard is raising funds for Red Sky Foundation by climbing Mount Everest!
A Vision for the Future
Gerard applies his diverse experience—from hands-on building work to managing complex operational and financial systems—to shape HMH’s culture with thoughtful design. His commitment to developing future talent is evident through firm-backed apprenticeship schemes and internal promotion strategies. He believes team members value growth opportunities and a healthy work–life balance as much as financial rewards.
As a recognized industry leader, Gerard was honoured in 2023 with the “Best Group Civil Engineering – Yorkshire” accolade at the SME Managing Director of the Year Awards.
Why Gerard May Matters
Gerard May’s story—from apprentice joiner to the helm of HMH Civils—reflects a rare blend of technical skill, operational insight, and values-led leadership. His focus on delivering quality, investing in people, and serving communities continues to set HMH Civils apart in the North East’s civil engineering landscape.
