It was on 5th January 1999 that I started work for John Turner (Engineering Consultants) Ltd. The end of 2008 marks 10 years as an independent consulting engineer.

After many years working in large and medium-sized organisations I thought it would seem strange to operate as a one-man-band. In fact I found it perfectly natural to walk into my study and start work. I had two contracts within the first week and a lot of software to write so there was plenty to do.

The world was divided into those who thought I would get up late, dwell over breakfast and the papers and never start work, and others who warned that I would never be able to stop. Those who know me best identified the second view as correct. My wife still complains that the word 'no' is not in my business vocabulary.

I have been very well blessed over the past 10 years. I have had as much work as I can deal with even though I stopped marketing around 2002. All work is now either from existing clients or by personal recommendation.

I am particularly grateful to my wife Jennifer for her support. Her help in setting up the business was invaluable and for many years she fitted in bookkeeping for the company on a Saturday morning after five long days working as a senior manager in the computer industry. She still helps with the accounts, the VAT and many other areas of the business.

I have worked for a wide range of clients over the past 10 years including the oil and power industries, the glass industry, the steel industry and a range of other major and less well known industrial companies. Plus the NHS and HSE. I also provide engineering support to the leading UK steeplejack companies.

I have made a lot of friends in the world of industrial chimneys and have enjoyed the past 10 years immensely. I look forward to the future and shall continue as long as I enjoy my work. And as long as it does not conflict too much with playing jazz!

My grateful thanks to all my clients, past and present.

John Turner December 2008