With a background in joinery and a fearless approach to tackling construction challenges, he has navigated diverse sectors, from restoration to renewables. Diarmuid’s leadership and dedication to circular construction techniques were particularly evident in the Templemore Baths (TMB) project, a grade B+ listed Victorian Bathhouse built in 1891 which highlights his role as a Responsible Business Ambassador. Collaborating with Belfast City Council (BCC) and numerous stakeholders, Diarmuid ensured the conservation of the building’s historical integrity while integrating modern health and fitness facilities.

Heron Bros Ltd (HBL) is a leading construction and property development company known for its responsible business practices. The company is committed to sustainable development, community engagement, and preserving historical integrity in its projects.

More about Diarmuid

Diarmuid’s commitment to the CORE Corporate Responsibility model of People, Planet, and Place/Community was evident throughout the TMB project and were pivotal in preserving the historical integrity of the Victorian bathhouse while integrating modern health and fitness facilities.

He demonstrated responsible business leadership in the following areas:

People: Diarmuid established a Construction Skills Academy at TMB, where he facilitated the upskilling of over 50 employees in traditional construction skills such as masonry, tiling, and joinery. Recognising the importance of safety and competence, he provided Health & Safety training for the traditional skill supply chain, many of whom had not worked on large, complex sites before.

In partnership with Womenstec, Diarmuid offered mentorship and valuable construction skills to vulnerable women, including one participant who successfully transferred her jewellery-making skills to window restoration and secured full-time construction employment. Through his work with Womenstec he was recognised as a “Not Just for Boys Champion.” His efforts ensured sustained employment for employees from other HBL sites, fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment.

Planet: Diarmuid was a staunch advocate for onsite salvage to reduce embodied carbon, emphasising the importance of reusing materials. He repurposed surplus glazed bricks into tiles for unique restoration needs at TMB, shared surplus materials from other HBL restoration projects and provided training and mentoring in circular construction methods.

His innovative methods for restoring aged woodwork and other materials included utilising resources from different HBL sites, such as salvaged Bangor Blue tiles from the NRC Coleraine project. Diarmuid introduced kinesthetic learning techniques within and outside the company as a STEM ambassador, encapsulating hazardous materials in resin to provide safe and effective training. His efforts led to a 400% improvement on Belfast City Council salvage aspirations, significantly reducing the environmental impact of the project through actions such as reusing 130-year-old pitch-pine and salvaging 20,000 Belfast bricks.

Community: Diarmuid’s commitment to community engagement was highlighted by his leadership in the Considerate Constructor Scheme, where he achieved a high score of 47/50. He conducted over 100 site tours, engaging 2473 people, including members from the Construction Employers Federation (CEF), Womenstec, the Belfast Mayor, the Fire Brigade, and students from Queen’s University Belfast (QUB) and Ulster University (UU). Diarmuid participated in Skills NI career fairs and CITB initiatives to promote construction careers and developed the “Farmers Friends – Farm Safety Initiative” to improve farm safety.

Representing HBL at the Eastside Arts Festival, Diarmuid presented and discussed the restoration techniques used at TMB, further contributing to the local heritage. He trained new tour guides for the interactive museum at TMB, ensuring the preservation and dissemination of the building’s history. His strong relationships with the local community led to the discovery and restoration of valuable artifacts, enhancing the project’s historical legacy.

What the Judges said

“Diarmuid’s approach to responsible business very impressive and innovative. He goes above his role and remit, developing projects and schemes from the ground up. He shows drive to making change at all levels and uses his huge sphere of influence for community development and to assist the next generation. He is very passionate about leaving things better than they were found.”